Various 1/700 IJN Accessory Sets

[Dan K]

It so happens that I had need to buy the FM WA15 set containing the 13mm AA versions. I need a twin for Shimakaze. Pretty unbelievable set. Maybe even finer than the 25mm. Have a comparative look; the new set is on the right:

[Quincy]

These guns are way too precious to give up to that dreaded "Carpet Monster" ! Be very, very careful not to let them fly off the sprue and be lost forever.



Bob Pink

[Ozmac]

Hi, I've just joined this forum, having found this thread via Google. I'm planning on building a diorama based on the 1/700 Hasegawa model of the Heian Maru Submarine Depot Ship, and for the diorama I have also bought a 1/700 Hasegawa kit of two IJN submarines.


Here's the sub kit


Inside the submarine kit box, as well as the two subs, there was a separate bag containing these 1/700 Waterline accessories, including guns and various sea planes. There's no mention of these on the box anywhere, and so I suspect the accessories belong to some other box, and the eBay retailer has accidentally packed them into my box (I'm not complaining).


The accessories will come in handy in my diorama, especially the planes. But as well as adding this accessory kit to your thread, I am also wondering if you know where it comes from? It does have Waterline Series branding on the instruction sheet, but there is no mention of Hasegawa.

It's all a pleasant enough mystery to me, but I am sure the eBay retailer is still wondering where that pack of 1/700 accessories got to.

[Dan K]

Welcome, Ozmac.

About 20+ years ago, the waterline consortium manufacturers realized (with pressure from the introduction of Pit-Road's own original accessory sets) that their kits needed better details. So, collectively, they engineered and jointly released a Heavy Vessel and Light Vessel ordinance set under the Leviathan name. They included 1-2 of the appropriate sets with each of their kits, just as this kit has come to you with a Light Vessel set. These accessory sets are still available today, and included with their kits, but sold separately under each manufacturers name (Tamiya, Hasegawa, Aoshima).

HTH

[Ozmac]

Thanks Dan

That answers my query perfectly. I know I'll put the planes to good use in the diorama, and the remaining pieces will be useful at some later stage, as I do rather like the 1/700 scale models from Hasegawa and Pit Road.

I've already built the two civilian versions of the 1/700 sister ship to the Heianmaru, the Hikawamara (as both a cruise liner and a hospital ship). So this third submarine depot ship will be an enjoyable build as well.

Thanks again, much appreciated.

[Dan K]

If you're up to it, perhaps you'll want to post pics of your completed works in the completed section of the Picture Post category, or even submit to the gallery. Something to think about. Plenty of fans of the Japanese merchants and auxiliaries on this board.

[Ozmac]

OK, I'll do that. I do have some pix of my 1/700 builds.

[kelaa]

I recently wanted to dress up my ships with signal flags. I purchased Rainbow's IJN Ships Names, Rainbows Fleet Movements, and Fujimi's Flags Set. I'd like to share some comments.

Each of Rainbow's flags sets does come with a glossary sheet. For the Ship Names, I'll note that it doesn't match Tamiya's designation from their "random IJN information" publication (I only have second-hand knowledge of this). For their Fleet Movements, I didn't verify their accuracy, but I believe David Dickson's Japanese Navy Signal Flags would be a good starting point for comparison. The two sets together have a lot of flags. The flags are printed on a blue paper stock. The colors are a bit mute compared to Fujimi's. Cutting the flags is not too bad, except for the swallow-tailed shaped flags, on which I have a hard time getting a clean inside corner. My major gripe is that the level of adhesion is terrible. My set will just barely stick to itself when folded over. I tried to secure it with some matte clear acrylic, which turned out to be a bad idea and all the flags opened up (and the colors bled). I ordered the Fujimi set initially mainly for the rank flags, but I held out that the Fujimi set might work better.

The Fujimi set comes on a white plasticky paper stock. The colors are vibrant. The level of adhesion is adequate. But two other problems became obvious. Firstly, the different colors are not well aligned. This makes some of the flags practically useless. On the rear-admiral flag, for instance, the bottom red bar is nearly all out of bounds, making it no different than the vice-admiral flag. The other issue is that the set is missing some useful flags. There are no numbers (I wanted to indicate BatDiv 3). The pennant Kan is missing (I wanted to indicate "All ships W.Y.Z." from Tameichi Hara's memoir).

I'll work on Rainbow's flags more as it at least has some potential to be useful. The Fujimi set I'll use some of the rank flags where I can.

[Dan K]

This is good; no one ever reviews the flag sets. I think Mr. Dickson would be thrilled to learn that his site was being used as a reference.

[Eric33]

Thanks all for this very interesting post !

Through my frequent professional trips in Japan, I could gather nearly all the Fine Molds range, and many of the Ocean Spirit and Rainbow ranges (plus other brands).
After some close look on them with my documentation, I can also confirm there are all wonderful !
But, when I have the choice for a same item, I personally slightly prefer the resin sets of these two last brands.
Because there are often still slightly finer and more accurate, and finally, when you well check the quantities in the boxes, there are not more expensive (perhaps even cheaper) than the quite expensive Fine Molds plastic range...

Anyway, with these brands, plus the other excellent PE sets of Five Stars and Flyhawk (plus Veteran Models, Yamashita Hobby, Big Blue Boy, Infini Model, Fujimi PE, WEM, GMM, etc.), and considering the amazing diorama possibilities of the Pacific theater, it would be a shame to not become a fan of IJN !...
Personally, I think I must have dozens of next IJN projects, both 1/700 and 1/350. Especially with US strafer planes.

[ch hoeltge]

Hello, I'm not sure if I'm right here but on my PE set from Tetra there some parts which are not in the instruction.
They where also on some other manufacturers pe sheets.
Do someone know for what there are and where they belong?
I'm building the 1941 Kongo if this is from interest.

Greetings Christian

[Eric33]

Hello, I'm not sure if I'm right here but on my PE set from Tetra there some parts which are not in the instruction.
They where also on some other manufacturers pe sheets.
Do someone know for what there are and where they belong?
I'm building the 1941 Kongo if this is from interest.

Greetings Christian

It seems to be depth charges frames, also on the right (?) - which I can confirm it is not a radar type21
But I can't tell you more

[Dan K]

Tetra set PE for which ship, Christian?


I can tell you from the photo that part 125 is meant to be a life ring that get inserted into the cage of part 126. These were typically hung from the main deck railings, aft end, in light cruiser and larger ships.

Look to either side of the 20cm barrel muzzles belonging to #4 (superimposed ) turret of this photo of Takao

[ch hoeltge]

Thanks Eric and Dan.

My kit is the 1:700 Kongo from Tetra.

The lifre ring make sense, I just saw it on the instruction on the AKA model Mogami.
They also have a part similar to my part 184, but couldn't locate it on their instruction.

Greetings Christian

Edit:

I just found it on the instruction of the Flyhawk 1:350 Kongo.
These are small podest on the barrels of the main guns.
I found the review here on the Modelwarship site .

[Dan K]

Here is a placement view on Kongo, 1933 (this is before her stern was lengthened).

[ch hoeltge]

Thanks Dan,

in the Flyhawk instructions it is also shown.
I think now I know where to put it .

Greetings Christian

[ch hoeltge]

Here is a pic which shows the usage of the small podest.
They use it for handling the practice rifles.
The pic is from R.A. Burt's book "Japanese Battleships".

Greetings Christian

[Bill Clarke]

All I can say is, have fun;

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/gim23n ... gqnaa.html

Expanding on the above, the carpet monster will be well fed;

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/gim23n ... gqnaa.html

Nice torpedo;

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/d4zpnu ... lsszk.html

Not sure if this fits into the IJN theme, but would be nice in portside dio nonetheless;

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/d40xo8 ... ineis.html

Also, these;

http://www.hobbyeasy.com/en/data/dnkndq ... plerw.html

[Dan K]

the carpet monster will be well fed

You've got that right!

[bmkerr]

Just found these:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10231085

They look great, much better than the stock ones that come with the kit.

Can I use these on my Musashi build or were the Musashi secondary guns different.