Calling all IJN Agano-class (阿賀野) fans

[MartinJQuinn]

Gallery entries on the first page updated, courtesy of Dan Kaplan.

[sallies89]

I just got a Hasegawa 1/350 Yahagi kit with all the bells and whistles. I wanted to ask if there are any good reference books/sites that may be useful. I've looked around and there don't seem to be too many close up pics of this class. Any help will be helpful.

[Dan K]

Good kit choice.

Sadly, there are only a few full ship photos of Agano, Noshiro, & Yahagi, there are are a couple of shots courtesy of combat photographers as she was attacked. As Sakawa surrendered intact and brand new, there are more photos of her, including some nice close-ups. Many of those shots are already posted within this thread.

The best sources are probably Gakken #19 (containing many of those same Sakawa shots and a beautiful 1/200 model of Yahagi in her 1944 fit) and Model Art Ship Modeling Special #19 (including some exquisite 1/700 side and plan views of all for sisters, in addition to the usual line drawings and 1/700 build). There are also a couple of Navy Yard Specials with some beautiful 1/350 builds - #13 with a full hull version of Yahagi, and #15 with a waterline version of Yahagi, both by master model builder Noboru Yahagi. In fact, in one other volume (can't remember which) is a magnificent side by side display/article of Yahagi and Sakawa.

[Fivi_1241]

Look at this

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10336945

Finally we have a new Agano-class in 1/700, now I'm only waiting for Fujimi to release full-hull Yahagi in this scale...

[Michael Riddell]

Good to see Fujimi doing a new tool, but that set of instructions is a bit confusing!

Can you build either Agano or Noshiro, or both? If the former is the case, that's a lot of spares judging from the parts breakdown!

Mike.

[Dan K]

Yes, You can build either one. The first in the instructions is Agano. You can tell be the differences in the bridge. Agano is the only one of the class that had the wind deflectors mounted below the compass bridge deck windows. Fujimi has provided for both alternative bridges. You can also model Noshiro after she underwent the mods that moved the Type 94HA directors off the forward end of the flight deck and onto late war structures that were extra crew quarters. Like Yahagi & Sakawa.

[Bill Clarke]

And, from the private collection of Alan McGivern, who posted it on the j-aircraft.com ship board some time ago, is an excellent, rare close-up of Sakawa's bridge, postwar. Great detail. Yahagi and Noshiro are virtually identical to Sakawa in this respect.

What is that box structure, on the platform below the bridge?

[Michael Riddell]

Yes, You can build either one. The first in the instructions is Agano. You can tell be the differences in the bridge. Agano is the only one of the class that had the wind deflectors mounted below the compass bridge deck windows. Fujimi has provided for both alternative bridges. You can also model Noshiro after she underwent the mods that moved the Type 94HA directors off the forward end of the flight deck and onto late war structures that were extra crew quarters. Like Yahagi & Sakawa.

Thanks, Dan, much appreciated!

It does seem a bit odd that Fujimi haven't provided enough parts to build both ships as separate models, considering the number of sprues they've provided. I guess pricing must come into it.

Mike.

[Dan K]

What is that box structure, on the platform below the bridge?

L & W says its a 25mm ammunition hoist.

I guess pricing must come into it.

I would think so. For Fujimi, the trade off on a twofer has to come in at the DD level.

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Here's hoping that since PitRoad's putting out a new Agano kit, the Waterline Series version is given an update, along with separate kits for all four ships in the class. The PitRoad release marks the first time Noshiro makes an appearance in the Waterline Series...sorta-kinda.

[Dan K]

I think you mean Fujimi.

[procladius]

Does anyone know if Fujimi plans to release a dedicated PE set for Agano/Noshiro? They usually do, but I have not seen an announcement.

[Dan K]

I don't know for sure but, I would think so. I counsel patience.

[Fivi_1241]

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10351475

Aaaand Yahagi/Sakawa kit is now announced as well!

[MatthewB]

Here is hoping that. Decent PE set is made for the ship.

The stack detailing is frikking AWESOME, and with add PE handrails, will look unbelievably cool.

It will be some time before I replace the Tamiya Agano, which was the first ship I built after returning to model building... But it is nice to see that Fujimi has provided a better alternative than Tamiya, who seem to be slow to re-tool their 1/700 ships.

She will make an excellent addition for Empress Augusta Bay.

MB

[redoctober27]

Damn it!!!!!!!!!! So I just bought two PE sets on ebay one for Agano and the other for Yahagi and the guy said they were for fujimi ... well guess what... there for Tamiya ... has anyone yet tried to use these PE sets from ocean spirit on the new Fujimi kits??

Anyone know if any new PE sets are coming out for these new kits??

[Dan K]

Whose sets are those? I was unaware that any sets had been made for the Tamiya kit.

[Timmy C]

The Ocean Spirit ones: http://www.bnamodelworld.com/model-ship ... s-hh700005

[redoctober27]

Your right Timmy C! Theres one for yahagi and one for Againo. The're not to bad as far as sets go, but only wish i knew for sure that they could be used. :/

[Dan K]

Huh.

Thx, Timmy. Seems pretty nice; maybe even an improvement on the Joe World accessories for these kits.