Calling on IJN Akizuki-class (秋月) fans

[Michael Riddell]

Mike K: I checked Gakken #23 and there is a series of drawings depicting Akizuki's AA upgrades. To my surprise, it appears she carried all her boats until early October 1944. It seems that at the very last minute, 3 of her boats were removed and replaced with single 25mm mounts.

More surprising to me as other Akizuki type, such as Suzutsuki & Fuyuzuki did retain all their boats despite adding more single 25mm guns.

Thanks for that, Dan!

The Skywave plan shows the following:

3 either side of the bridge, just before the break in the foc's'le (total 6),

2 either side where the first set of boats were (total 4),

2 port side opposite the remaining motor launch,

2 either side of the rear superstructure (total 4), but not symmetrical; and

3 on the starboard side of the rear superstructure in line with the former director position.

Is the Gakken plan for her last fit the same?

Thanks again,

Mike.

[Dan K]

Your description matches the Gakken layout.

[Michael Riddell]

Thanks again, Dan!

Much obliged.

Mike.

[aptivaboy]

Super information here in this thread!

I'm working on the Blue Water Navy Akizuki. Does anyone have a suggestion about brass barrels? I'm guessing some Royal Navy 4-incher barrels would be the closest in terms of bore, but I nothing about the actual barrel cross sections. Any ideas?

Thank you!

Robert

[Timmy C]

Hi Robert and welcome to the site.

Fukuya makes a set for the Akizuki:
http://www.hlj.com/product/FUK350-30

[Unicorn]

A couple of shots of her sister Fuyuzuki in a larger scale









Hope you like them

Unicorn

[Dan K]

EXCELLENT!

[Anthony P]

Hi!
Having owned the 1/350 Monochrome Suzutsuki kit, I finally decided to build it. It is a rather involved build, as I would like to do it in the Ten-Ichi-Go time frame, and from what I see in the Model Art Special number 37, which showcases several Akitsuki-class destroyers, Suzutsuki in 1945, having been torpedoed and rebuilt, has a totally different bow than the others. In any case, that's a different story and I may post my build in the relevant section after I become certain I can finish it but I have a different question at this time for you guys with deeper IJN knowledge than me:

When setting sail for operation Ten-Ichi-Go, the Yamato is always depicted with an emblem on her funnel. Monochrome (Trumpeter) depicts the Suzutsuki with the same emblem:

IMG_1883.JPG (148.63 KiB) Viewed 9567 times

Model Art 37 shows different markings for the build of their 1945 Suzutsuki.

IMG_1885.JPG (149.29 KiB) Viewed 9567 times

Hasegawa shows no emblem on their Ten-Ichi-Go Yahagi.

Am I correct in thinking that only the Yamato had the emblem and that Model Art is more correct than Monochrome/Trumpeter?

Any help will be most appreciated!

Anthony

[Dan K]

It's a good question. The full symbol may just have been applicable to Yamato; I don't really know. However, we can be sure that both Suzutsuki and Fuyuzuki carried a more simplistic emblem as seen in the Model Art issue. This version may have also been carried by Yahagi and the other DDs. Existing photographs for those ships just aren't clear enough.

I'd be interested in your build log. I do have the 1/350 Akizuki 1944 sitting in the stash....

[Anthony P]

Thank you Dan. I will be doing the markings as per Model Art...

Could you also kindly tell me your opinion regarding the general accuracy of the builds in Model Art 37? While there is quite some literature available regarding the Akizuki, I have not been able to find much on the 1945 Suzutsuki apart from the above build article -historical data excepted of course.

The Monochrome/Trumpeter boxings of the 1944 Akizuki and 1945 Suzutsuki are substantially the same, with the addition of a square bridge for the latter. Even the PE states "Akizuki 1944", while the hulls are the same.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your various postings on the Imperial Japanese Navy. Having had a long-standing fascination with the IJN, I always follow them with interest and often learn something new!

As for the build log, I am keeping a photographic record of it and hope to post my progress in the not too distant future.

Best regards from Athens,
Anthony

[Dan K]

My pleasure. Let me review #37 and get back to you. If you have the opportunity to pick upp Gakken #23, you would be well served. Best single volume around on the Akizukis.

[Dan K]

I think the information in #37 matches up fairly well with Gakken #23. I don't care for the quality of the remade bow portion of of the 1/350 Suzutsuki model but, it is accurate; for instance, the linoleum was scraped off a portion of her main deck aft of Y turret.

Some images to help.

Torpedo damage to Suzutsuki 2x in 1944 led to a simplified bow, and probably why some of the linoleum aft wasn't replaced.

You can just make out the linoleum & treaded deck in the 2nd pic

The bows of both Fuyuzuki (left) and Suzutsuki (right) were used as fill for a breakwater after the war. You can just make out the slab siding of the upper portion of the hull in Suzutsuki, as compared to Fuyuzuki.

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

As my next project once I complete the USS Selfridge, DD-357 Porter Class Destroyer is going to be Answer Models 1/200 scale card model kit of the IJN Akizuki, I have been looking about for some good reference material. While I do have the old Yellow Periscope Series from Morskie Monographs on the Fuyuzuki and the USS Bagley, which does offer some pretty good Black and White drawings of that particular sister of the Akizuki, it is sort of limited in it's scope. I was quite pleased to find Kagero's 3D volume on the Akizuki written and illustrated by Mariusz Motyka and Lukasz Stach. It has a written section on the Design, Characteristics and Operational History of the ship and then goes into high gear with some most excellent full-color drawings of the various sections of the ship and her equipment. There are also two pull-out Black and White line drawings of the ship in 3-view mode, both sides and a top view as well as several more line drawings of the various parts of the ship and her weapons systems. Consisting of 61 pages of incredibly detailed artwork illustrating the ship and all her parts on deck, it will be quite handy when I start construction. I am also going to use brass barrels for her main weapons and photo etch and brass barrel kit sets of the AA twin and single 25MM gun mounts. At very nearly 2 feet long in 1/200 scale, this should be one heck of a lot of fun to build up.

[Dan K]

Nice project. Good luck!

[Phil R]

Although IJN vessels are not my cup of tea, in a moment of madness I've bought the Nichimo 200th kit of the Akizuki from a friend. Having never seen this kit, what's it like? Good, bad or indifferent?

Thanks, Phil

[Dan K]

I don't have it but I know that several members have built it. There are also several in the gallery. So, perhaps somebody else will chime in.

IIRC, the kit is over 30 years old so, there are going to be some things that could use an improvement. I do believe it is considered pretty good, though.

I also know that there is a new PE fret in the works for this kit but, I'll let that mfg. choose to chime in, or not.

[Dan K]

Here are three 1/200 builds that you might find useful. I've seen Keith Bender's Akizuki in the flesh - outstanding!

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

[Harquebus]

Although IJN vessels are not my cup of tea, in a moment of madness I've bought the Nichimo 200th kit of the Akizuki from a friend. Having never seen this kit, whats it like? Good, bad or indifferent?

Thanks, Phil

I was wondering what kind of assessment you'd make upon receipt of the Akizuki kit. I have both the Nichimo Akizuki and Hatsuzuki in 1/200 and consider them quite wonderful; lots of detail, and from my meagre research into the class quite accurate. Acknowledging that these kits are old, it's amazing how detailed they are for circa 1970 or so. The molds have crisp, fine detail and if something is supposed to have a sharp angle it is well-represented in the kit, like the bow which is almost razor sharp. There's even PE available for these kits making them even better/more attractive; one supplier being GPM of Poland. But I guess IJN destroyers, especially in this scale, are just not popular. Pity. They should be considering the continuing popularity of the Yamato and the more recent renown of the 1/200 Arizona, Bismarck, Missouri, Hornet, etc...

Gaston gave a quasi-review of the Kagero (same scale) here viewtopic.php?f=84&t=154857#p609636 which is quite the endorsement. Don't think I've ever seen such detailed pics of what you get in the box.

Those finished build links provided by Dan K are quite good and are only hampered by the lack of high-resolution photos. Who's doing new PE for these kits? Can you give a hint?

[Mike C]

Who's doing new PE for these kits? Can you give a hint?

That would be me. I've been puttering around with drawing some etch since 2001, off and on, and it has only recently gotten to the test stage. I still have some modifications to do, but I don't have a release date since I'm tied up with other projects at the moment. Dan K has seen samples of the test etch. Feel free to suggest anything I may have missed, but I reserve the right to reject any more parts that would require me to redesign the sheets.

Below is a list of the parts I made in 2012, but the part numbers and some of the parts have changed since then. It now has seven pairs of sights for 25mm guns, for instance:

IJN AKIZUKI- Update Set- Sheet A (.005)
1a. Depth charge rack, frame (2)
1b. Depth charge rack, roller rack (2)
1c. Depth charge rack end, right (2)
1d. Depth charge rack end, left (2)
1e. Depth charge hoist (4)
1f. Depth charge rack base (2)
2.
3. Steering wheel/helm
4.
5. Radar harness
6. Radar (2)
7. Radar antennae (8)
8. Searchlight shutters
9. Searchlight frame
10. Deck grid, bridge
11. Deck grid, rangefinder platform
12. Shield brace A (2)
13. Shield brace B (2)
14. Vent grille
15. Platform brace, foremast
16. Smoke deflectors, funnel
17. Intake screen, starboard
18. Intake screen, port
19. Boat rudder, cutter (2)
20. Catwalk, foremast
21a. Deck hatch, small
21b. Deck hatch handle, small
22a. Deck hatch, large
22b. Deck hatch handle, large
23. Inclined ladder (2)
24. Radar bracket, fwd, upper
25. Radar bracket brace, fwd, upper
26. Radar bracket, fwd, lower
27. Radar bracket, aft, lower
28. Radar bracket brace, aft, upper
29. Block and tackle, short (with extras)
30. Block and tackle, long (with extras)
31. Deck loops (with extras)
32. Control wheels (four spoke)
33. Intake screen, small
34. Intake screen, large
35a. Boarding ladder, steps and inner sides
35b. Boarding ladder side, outer
35c. Boarding ladder steps, extension
35d. Boarding ladder platform, lower
35e. Boarding ladder platform, upper
36. Depth charge hoist, stern (6)
37. Catwalk, rangefinder platform, port
38. Catwalk, rangefinder platform, starboard
39. Chain, large
40. Chain, small
41. Deck ring, round, small (with extras)
42. Deck ring, round, large (with extras)
43. Deck ring, triangular (with extras)
44. Boat propeller, large (2)
45. Torpedo propeller, small (2)
46. Lower funnel screen, rear
47. Lower funnel screen, right
48. Lower funnel screen, left
49. Rigging eyelet (2 size options)
50 Gun sights
51. Support braces, bridge platform
52. Anemometer (large)
52a. Anemometer (small)

IJN AKIZUKI- Update Set- Sheet B (.010)
1. Funnel cap, forward
2. Funnel cap, middle
3. Funnel cap, aft
4. DF loop, A
5. DF loop, B
6. DF loop, shaft ring (2)
7. DF loop, tripod
8. Door (2)
9. Radar bracket
10. Radar frame
11. Foremast cross brace (with rigging holes)
12. Awning stanchion, side
13. Awning stanchion brace, side
14a. Reel frame, large
14b. Reel, large, 8hole
14c. Reel, large, 6-hole
14d. Reel, large, handle
15a. Reel frame, medium
15b. Reel, medium, 8-hole
15c. Reel, medium, 6-hole
15d. Reel, medium, handle
16a. Reel frame, small
16b. Reel, small
16c. Reel, small, handle
17. Antenna outrigger, short
18. Antenna outrigger, long
19. Rigging guide
20. Rail stanchion
21. Awning stanchion, centerline
22. Awning stanchion brace, centerline
23. Boat, launch awning frame (2)
24. Boat, launch ladder (2)
25. Boat, launch, handrails (2)
26. Boat, cutter, seat insert
27. Bridge windows
28. Induction screen cover door (2)
29. Platform, emergancy steering
30. Vertical ladders
31. Y-gun, launch control bracket (2)
32. Y-gun, launch control handle (2)
33. Ammunition davit (2)
34. Cover plate (2)
35a. Depth charge end cap, right
35b. Depth charge end cap, left
36. Hand wheel, torpedo tube (4) (with extras)
37. Radar bracket, fwd, upper
38. Radar bracket brace, fwd, upper
39. Radar bracket, fwd, lower
40a. Radar bracket, aft, lower
40b. Radar bracket, aft, upper
41. Radar bracket brace, aft, upper

I am a big fan of the Nichimo 1/200 IJN destroyers. Their subs were pretty good, too. My big complaint about the Akizuki class is that they were designed to be motorized and have a large center section that can be made to lift out so the batteries could be changed. The problem with that is that the seam cuts through the deck tread pattern and will take a lot of careful work to make it look right. With a little TLC, though, they can be made into stunning models, as shown by the models in Dan's links.

Mike

[Mike C]

Here's a link to WIP pics for my Akizuki build: http://s982.photobucket.com/user/MikeC0 ... ry/Akizuki

Crits, comments or suggestions welcomed.