Calling All IJN Kongo-Class Fans

[Timmy C]

I would treat them like AA guns - replace the kit's renditions, but double check to make sure the kit's original location and number of the item is accurate (if that's a priority for you).

[TI4438]

Thanks.The molded on doors don't look bad at all.There don't appear to be all that many of them however.I figured the PE doors would go somewhere else.

[Haijun watcher]

To the "Kongo-philes" here...

Which versions of the two battleships Hiei and Kirishima are the best in quality and detail in 1/700?

The Fujimi versions or the Hasegawa versions?

Furthermore, would anyone recommend buying Fujimi's special "3rd Battle of Solomon" set that includes both ships?

[Atma]

Hasegawa IJN Kongo class models are 15+ years old. Fujimi's IJN Kongo class models are all new tooled.
As for Fujimi's set, of course its worth it.

[Dan K]

Aside from the crooked casemates and late war hull (just drill out the coverd portholes), the Fujimi Kirishima is excellent. And, the Fujimi Hiei comes with the wider hull specific to Hiei, as well as corrected casemates. I haven't built it yet bu the Hiei looks to build up extremely well right out of the box.

The twofer set is most cost-effective.

[Haijun watcher]

From the posts above, I'm inferring that the 1/700 Fujimi Kongo would also be superior to the Hasegawa Kongo as well?

So even though a Hasegawa kit has new box art released every few years, it's still essentially from the same 15-years old mold?

[Atma]

From the posts above, I'm inferring that the 1/700 Fujimi Kongo would also be superior to the Hasegawa Kongo as well?

So even though a Hasegawa kit has new box art released every few years, it's still essentially from the same 15-years old mold?

Yeap, is the same old tooled kit released 15 years ago.

[Haijun watcher]

Atma,

Is there not a single Aoshima model that's worth building in your view?

I get the impression all of their products seem to fall short to you in one way or another compared to Fujimi.

[redoctober27]

Atma is right .. The last few years fujimi has By leaps and bounds far surpass any other model company out there. It seems that most other companies such as tamyia whom at one time had the best kids now only resort to making 1/350 scale and manly re-releasing older kits as is Aroshima :/ Pit-road is the only other company making models with new kits and parts but even they don't really come close to Fujimis products in the Japanese navy kits realm. I have heard Trumpeter may make some Japanese Navy models but so far nothing has ever come of it.

[Atma]

Atma,

Is there not a single Aoshima model that's worth building in your view?

I get the impression all of their products seem to fall short to you in one way or another compared to Fujimi.

Aoshima is dead on 1/700 compared to anything Fujimi(or Pit-Road) had released for the last 6 years. Minus IJN Soryu(Still the Fujimi version IMO is far better) some Japanese Light Cruisers(IJN Sendai class and IJN Oyodo), some Imperial Japanese auxiliaries and modern Japanese subjects.
On the other hand 1/350 offerings from Aoshima are pretty good.

[Atma]

I have heard Trumpeter may make some Japanese Navy models but so far nothing has ever come of it.

Trumpeter had/has two Imperial Japanese Navy projects, one is dead dead dead and one is still in long term development.

[redoctober27]

Just out of curiosity what were the other two projects from Trumpeter?

[Atma]

IJN Mogami class in 1/350, the IJN Kumano late war, that project is dead. Never gonna happen. Russo-Japanese war battleships1/350 IJN Shikishima, IJN Yashima, IJN Fuji , IJN Hatsuse and IJN Asahi , this project is frozen at the moment.

[Haijun watcher]

I have heard Trumpeter may make some Japanese Navy models but so far nothing has ever come of it.

Well they have released those JMSDF modern Kongo class AEGIS destroyers in 1/350, but that's about it.

And I find ironic that I end up mentioning that class of DDGs in a thread about their BB predecessors.

On the other hand 1/350 offerings from Aoshima are pretty good.

What about the full hull 1/700 kits from Aoshima? (such as their full-hull Fuso) Or are those basically from the same molds as their waterline counterparts?

And to keep this thread back on topic, Hasegawa also offered full hull 1/700 versions of the Hiei and Kongo- what's your opinion of those?

[Dan K]

The Hasegawa kits were 2nd generation, about 15-20 years old now. While the new Fujimi kits are better in most respects, at least Hasegawa got the casemates angles correct. Also the deck planking. OF the new Fujimi ktis, the Hiei is the one that can be built OOB with minimal, if any, corrections.

[Atma]

Your only option for a good IJN Kongo class is Fujimi's models. Both Hasegawa's and Aoshima IJN Kogo, IJN Ise and IJN Fuso class full hull versions are the old tools.Fujimi is also offering the IJN Kongo and IJN Nagato class with full hull versions too.

[Haijun watcher]

Aoshima IJN Kogo, IJN Ise and IJN Fuso class full hull versions are the old tools.

Aoshima doesn't make any Kongo or Ise class kits, at least from what I see in their 2013 catalogue. You must be referring to Hasegawa in this sentence.

[Atma]

Yes, sorry for the misunderstanding.

[Ady]

IJN Mogami class in 1/350, the IJN Kumano late war, that project is dead. Never gonna happen. Russo-Japanese war battleships, 1/350 IJN Shikishima IJN Yashima, IJN Fujimi , IJN Hatsuse and IJN Asahi , this project is frozen at the moment.

I'll definitely be interested in the Hatsuse if it's ever released!

[Atma]

CCGSailor, and anyone else who might interest Fujimi is re-releasing the 4 IJN Kongo class in full hull option under the DX version. That means a complete PE set(excluding metal barrels for main and secondary guns). Here you can pre order them, keep in mind that is a limited run:
IJN Kongo:http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10262557
IJN Hiei:http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10262558
IJN Kirishima:http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10262561
IJN Haruna:http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10262560