Calling All IJN Kongo-Class Fans

[Dan K]

Thx for putting down your observations, Harold. I find it helpful, and hopeful.

Not to put you on the spot but, a pic of your results would be most welcome.

[herbieham]

Hi Guys
Im building Kirishima in 1/72 scale. Need help with the deck planking. Anyone any idea on the timber used and how wide the planks were?

Much appreciate the gold mine of info on this forum

[Dan K]

Wow, 1/72? That will be a fantastic build. I've yet to see numbers but I believe the planking width was 150 to 200mm, like the carrier flight decks. I have to check some sources.

Definitely not Hinoki cypress wood; that didn't start until Nagato. Could be the same bei-matsu/old growth pine used on the CV flight decks.

[Dan K]

I still have to research the type of wood. It's one of those things I've learned and forgotten a dozen times.

As far as the length of the planks, and the pattern, I think you'll find it's pretty inconsistent. Not at all like the Fujimi renditions. The following photos are from either Gakken or Nihon no Gunkan volumes. I might recommend the pattern used on the CVs, which is posted last.

[Atma]

You sure the last picture is from IJN Yamashiro ? Seems like IJN Nagato class turret's roofs.

[Dan K]

According to my translation of Model Art vol. #561 - History of IJN Vessel Painting (Camouflage of Military Ships), all BB decking prior to Nagato was made of teak. It also mentions that the planks were typically 3.6m or 5.4m long. Might be a translation error in that it could indicate a range of lengths.

You sure the last picture is from IJN Yamashiro ? Seems like IJN Nagato class turret's roofs.

Atma, all I can tell you is that it came from a collection of photos taken aboard Yamashiro in 1935, probably right after her modernization was completed. Here's another view; you can see how the deck fittings are the same by the anchor chains.

And, a crop of the area, which shows how the deck planking pattern is typically irregular.

[Atma]

The red arrow device was only present in IJN Nagato class battleships, number 1# and number 4# turrets. The image is definitely an IJN Nagato class battleship.

[Dan K]

I'm not enough of an expert on the turrets to argue it one way or the other. We would need other photos of the relative forecastles to be certain.

My objective here was to answer the questions about the planking as best I could.

[Atma]

My objective here was to answer the questions about the planking as best I could.

Of course it was, please dont misunderstand me

[Dan K]

I didn't. Really, the best thing to do is to match up the forecastle deck for a firm ID.

[Timmy C]

For what it's worth, "Mutsu" is mentioned in the caption on that photo.

[Dan K]

That works for me. Must have missed that. Why it's included in the Yamashiro collections is beyond me.

[herbieham]

Hi guys

Really appreciated the replies to question on deck planking.
I especially appreciated the new knowledge that I don't need to "pitch" between the planks. I am going for
3 mm wide planks for 1/72 scale, probably 1 mm too wide, but it will do.

I know its in the forum somewhere, I am considering buying the Aoshima Models IJN Battle Ship "Kirishima, kit,
to use as a guide. Is it any good?, is it resin or plastic?

I have no plans to do anything special with it, just help with 3D layout, especially the Pagoda mast area

Thanks

[Dan K]

I've got the the 1/350 kit but I haven't built it yet. Looks good in the box

I have a couple of suggestions, particularly if you are focusing on the bridge tower.

1) Buy the Miyukikai plan set for Kirishima, if you haven't already done so. His three point perspective drawings are hard to beat.

2) He also has Kirishima's bridge tower modeled in 3DCG. See: http://www2.odn.ne.jp/miyukikai/newpage11.htm

3) You might want to consider buying the 1/700 brass pe bridge created by Greg Moczko and sold thru his Shelf Oddities line. He did an incredible amount of research, and it is reflected in the build. Check out the set for purchase (with online instructions) here: http://shelfoddity.com/index.php?route= ... path=20_66
His online build of Kirishima: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=155082
The completed build: http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... /index.htm

[MatthewB]

The only thing I found to be a problem with the Shelf Oddities Kirishima bridge is that one level of the Bridge has a platform that slants downward that all photos I have seen of the Kirishima show to be flat.

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=155082&start=80#p635820

In the seventh photo down, the lowest run of bridge windows has the area above them slanting downwards toward the front.

Yet in the plans for that deck, it is shown to be a flat, level platform.

I cannot figure out why he did that.

MB

[Dan K]

Wow, good eye, Matthew. I have no idea why he did that. I hope he is watching.

[blacman]

Hello mates !

I'm afraid that there is no exact photo showing that.... Or better to say I did not dig too deep to find it...

Kirishima is my LOVE. Really... When going through the build process I found fantastics references from Mr Miyukikay and based on that - incredible 3D models done by Joseph Ed Low. Both references clearly show slanting down of the bridge.
Getting back to photo references. The best photo I found came from October 1938, taken by USS Pillbsury at Amoy, China. From this destroyer they took two great broadside shoots of Kiri. Although they are not very clear and sharp but slanting down is also visible.
I am answering without access to my home resources - when get back home I will try to post some more details...

[blacman]

Kirishima in 1927 (source: Warship Pictorial kongo Class)




Kirishima in 1931 (source: Warship Pictorial kongo Class)




Kirishima in 1937 (source: Warship Pictorial kongo Class)



and zoom:


according to Mr Miyukikay plans:




according to Gakken plans:



I believe that the top of compass bridge was soft until last refit in '37 when became to be made of steel plates (I guess) to allow walk out from lockout stations located above the compass bridge. It might make sense since next to 60cm searchlights 1,4m navigation rangefinders have been installed those days.

I hope it helps a bit...
Greg

[navalpower]

I just ordered Aoshima Kirishima 1/350 update ver. Does anybody know what's the difference between updated ver and older one? and also is there any good PE + wooden deck for this kit? seems hard to find one.. the market only offering for Kongo Fujimi/Aoshima kit..

Thx guys..

-------------------------
Greetings from Indonesia
Sorry for my bad English..

[Dan K]

The revised version has all the bits that were originally molded to the deck off and molded separately. Much easier to work with, particularly for painting the main deck. Some AA has been upgraded in terms of fidelity as well.

Yeah, dedicated PE parts are a bit sparse. WEM made a limited edition run of PE for Kirishima; probably very hard to find.

Aoshima's Kongo railings should work as both ships were the closest to each other in terms of appearance among the sisters: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10070299/10/0

It's possible that the Fujimi parts might work as well. Otherwise, you'll need to use generic IJN PE sets.