1:700 JMSDF Murasame and Takanami Class DD kit comparison

[D-Boy]

Quick build and box review comparison of the Aoshima and Pit Road 1:700-scale kits of the Marusame class DDs and their follow-on, the Takanami Class DDs. The Marusame Class is boxed by Aoshima as the Harusame, DD-102; the Marusame class follow-on is boxed by Pit Road as the Onami, DD-111.

This class replaced the JMSDF Asigiri Class DD vessels in the mid-1990s. In 2000, the Murasame class upgrades launched. All ships of both classes remain in service, focused on ASW and ASuW roles. The Marusame class upgrades include a 127mm Oto-Breda main armament (versus 76mm Oto Melera 3 of the earlier variants), and upgraded Sea Sparrow and ASROC mounts in front of the bridge, and the Marusame class's VLS system on the rear superstructure is replaced by Type 90 deck-mounted launchers.

Aoshima's initial boxing of this kit dates to 1994 and remains available for $12.00 US: http://cf.hlj.com/product/aos2050/Nav. It was re-boxed in 2011 in an "Operation Tomadachi" version, with added helicopters and 1:700 scale military vehicles; this enhanced kit sells for $23.00 US: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10160988,

Pit Road's Onami DD-111 kit sells for $23.00 US and includes a bonus Sugashima Class minesweeper, as well as a comprehensive JMSDF weapons sprue that will add many unused items to your spare box.

I'm finishing up a build of the Aoshima Harusame kit. It's been a straightforward build, with all parts used. The aft superstructure's construction is unnecessarily complicated - too many side and deck parts, which means seams that have to be addressed with filler on both vertical and horizontal surfaces. All vents are molded-on detail. The main deck is molded in two pieces, which meet at a transition point in the deck's geometry, which presents a challenge for achieving a smooth finish at a highly visible location. No hanger detail is included, so you need to model closed, or scratch build the interior. Smaller details, such as chaff launchers, ships boats, and the Type 90 launchers (think Harpoon) lack detail, compared to the Pit Road kit versions. Nonetheless, upon near completion, it appears to be a perfectly adequate representation of this third-generation JMSDF DD. Decals include hull numbers and copter pad markings for the Harusame only.

The Pit Road kit comes with a higher parts count overall, but simplifies superstructure construction through the use of more intricately cast parts. It looks to be easier to paint before/during assembly and to mask for horizontal and vertical painting. The main deck is also molded in two parts, but Pit Road's seam is in front of the main gun, rather than behind the bow VLS, and appears to fit more seamlessly. A full hanger interior is provided, so the hanger can be modeled open. All vents are molded separately, making differentiation from the main superstructure easier to accomplish when dry-brushing or weathering. The fine parts have a greater level of crispness to their molding, and they come from a weapons sprue with plenty of parts for other JMSDF builds. This sprue would allow you to back-date the Onami kit to a Marusame class version in terms of weapons fit, except that no VLS system is included for the rear superstructure. Decals are for all ships of the class.

The Pit Road kit also comes with a WL model of a Sugashima class Coastal Minesweeper, not available separately, and the first-ever release of this class in plastic in 1:700 scale. Twenty-eight parts complete a straightforward build that appears well designed in terms of assembly and paint sequencing.

Price is the only reason to recommend the older Aoshima kit, particularly if you want a version of the initial vessels in the class. The Pit Road kit appears to be better designed and molded, and offers the bonus of the minesweeper vessel. Further research indicates that all of the advantages of Pit Road's design are also available in a WL or Full Hull option for the Marusame class: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10232667. The full hull kit does not included the minesweeper, but does include and expanded decal sheet with decals for walkways on the main deck, a component missing from their Onami kit decal sheet. $29.00 US for the full hull option.

[sirpaul]

Nice review D boy. Seems to be spot on. I have built both and agree with you all the way.

[D-Boy]

Nice review D boy. Seems to be spot on. I have built both and agree with you all the way.

Thank you, sir! Older kits, but I was in the midst of a build and thinking about some design errors (sometimes it seems the people designing these kits are not modelers that build them), and then remembered I had the Pit Road kit in the stash. So a build and box comparison.