Calling all Shokaku (翔鶴) and Zuikaku (瑞鶴) fans

[Bill W]

Thanks for the confirmation Dan!

I spent a good two or three hours surfing every online hobby shop I know of for any brand of wood deck for Shokaku. When I did find one, it was either out of stock or out of production. Then, I came across Playmoya, which I had never heard of. It appears to be another HLJ. They had one Fujimi Shokaku deck and elevator set in stock. It wasn't cheap, but fearing that I may wait years for another to become available, I ordered. Will just hope now, that they actually do have it and ship it to me. I'll let you all know how it pans out.

My plan is for a Hawaiian Operation ship with the full air wing on deck preparing to launch.

Thanks again,

Bill

[Dan K]

It should be a great project. Please consider posting a W-I-P. Enjoy!

[Guest]

I'm moving next month, but my plan is to track down the PE for this kit, get some more aircraft, then begin the build once I'm settled into the new house. All provided that one of the many other kits in my stash don't capture my interest between now and then. I've waited a long time for a 1/350 IJN carrier though, so I'm eager to have it in my display case.

BTW, I was at the 2006 Nats and remember seeing your 1/700 carriers and being absolutely amazed by them. They look better in person than on the web, which is saying A LOT!

For now though, I'll be brainstorming how to get an orange'ish tint onto to the aftermarket wood deck thingy I just paid way too much for.

[Mike C]

For the orange tint to the flight deck, I've been considering thinning Tamiya clear orange heavily and build it up with sprayed-on light coats. Unfortunately, I don't have anything anywhere close to needing paint.

[Dan K]

All provided that one of the many other kits in my stash don't capture my interest between now and then.

Ain't that the truth.

I've waited a long time for a 1/350 IJN carrier though, so I'm eager to have it in my display case

Ditto. In my case, it's a problem of room for display, so I have to hold off for the time being.

BTW, I was at the 2006 Nats and remember seeing your 1/700 carriers and being absolutely amazed by them. They look better in person than on the web, which is saying A LOT!

Thank you. I really appreciate that. That was my first NATS. Believe it or not, I haven't built a carrier since then. I'm feeling the itch. I just need to get my tankers done. It's been too long a project already!

how to get an orange'ish tint onto to the aftermarket wood deck thingy I just paid way too much for

Tinting a real wood deck is a tough one. An umber wash would work but, you'd have to seal the deck and get a gloss coat down. I'm still uncertain what long term effect sealing the deck might be. It would stink if it warped. That's pretty much why I prefer to paint and wash the plastic.

[MatthewB]

How close is the appearance of the Flight Deck of the Zuikaku to the Shokaku in 1941/42?

I notice that a PE Flight deck is made for the Zuikaku, but not the Shokaku, and I am wondering if it would work for the latter.

MB

[Dan K]

The decks themselves are identical; the markings subtly different. I used these illustrations from Shipbucket as they are accurate with regard to the markings.

As an aside, the wood planking extended all the way aft to the striped round downs.

[Bill W]

Well, I tracked down the wood flight deck and it arrived today from Japan. Now time to find photo etch...

It appears Fujimi made 4 sets: A B C and D. I think ABC were sold as one packaged set, with D sold on its own. D is still available, but ABC are discontinued and out of stock everywhere. Can't even find on EBay.

I did find what appears to be Fujimi's equivalent for Zuikaku in stock in one shop in Japan, it the packaging doesn't say ABC, just says photo etch details. It looks like there may be three frets in the bag but hard to tell because they're stacked with no addition pics of the contents.

Wondering if my best bet isn't just to order this and hope its interchangeable with Shokaku? It's an expensive gamble, but seems to be the singular option. GMM, White Ensign, Eduardo... None of them appear to have done any IJN carrier sets in 1/350.

Pretty frustrating! Any advice on PE for the 350 Shokaku?

[mister me]

no PE sets outside of fujimi ones. you can find the side masts done by flyhawk (several types available, check for the good ones !)

however, I now only buy 1/350 fujimi ships in "DX" or "premium" configuration : it additionnaly contains all the dedicated PE sets for practically the same price as the "classical" boxing. hobby easy has in my opinion very good prices on those models, and a good availability of in stock items in DX or premium config. AmiAmi is not bad either.

for what I know, it looks that the fujimi PE sets are done by KA/MK1.

[Angeliccypher]

Given the changes between 41 (Shikoku kit) and 44 (Zuikaku kit) you would want the kit specific PE.

[Dan K]

I don't know if it will ever come to pass, but BigBlueBoy Model recently posted a heads-up for an upcoming set for Zuikaku. Depending on fit, it may end up being good for either. Also one for Hiryu. Fingers crossed.

[Angeliccypher]

Any pictures of those sets?

[MatthewB]

I just wish that there was a decent deck set for the 1/700 Fujimi Sh?kaku/Zuikaku.

The Deck sets by Flyhawk do not have the wooden decking going all the way back to the roll-down.

They do have a reasonable PE set for 1/700 1941/42 Sh?kaku (but I am not certain about the Zuikaku of the same period).

I suppose that I will just have to accept the inaccurate Deck.

MB

[Dan K]

Any pictures of those sets?

Nope. All I see is this: http://www.bigblueboy.net/

[Dan K]

The Deck sets by Flyhawk do not have the wooden decking going all the way back to the roll-down.

Not so, Matthew. I happen to have one, but see the pic below to confirm.

They do have a reasonable PE set for 1/700 1941/42 Sh?kaku (but I am not certain about the Zuikaku of the same period).

If you mean Fujimi, then I would agree, their sets for these kits are very good. They are interchangeable for fit. The Shokaku '41 PE set can be used for a '41-'42 Zuikaku, and the '44 Zuikaku set can be used for a "44 Shokaku.

[ch hoeltge]

Will the Flyhawk Deck fit the Fujimi kit, also the 1941 version?
I'm looking for an metal deck to test my skill and best opions I found is the Fujimis Taiho with the Flyhawk deck.

Greetings Christian

[Dan K]

Will the Flyhawk Deck fit the Fujimi kit, also the 1941 version?

Well, as designed, no, but as modified, yes.

Aside from the deck itself, and the brass underbody, the Zuikaku deck also comes with a resin plastic insert shaped to fit the inside edges of the Tamiya kit (see photo). In this way, the metal flight deck can be bonded to the insert, and then the insert bonded to the kit. I would almost certainly either modify this insert to fit the Fujimi kit, or make a new one, probably from styrene, for the same purpose.

I also have the Flyhawk Taiho deck, but my set did not come with an insert. Not sure if that's standard or not. So, I'd have to do the same thing.

[ch hoeltge]

Ok thanks Dan.
Perhaps I'm little confused with all the kits.
There is also a Set from Flyhawk FH700271 for Fujimis Zuikaku 1944 kit.
This set should also fit the 1941 kit from Fujimi, right? Or where there changes in the fight deck?
And I read here for the 1941 Zuikaku I can use the set for 1941 Shokaku, right?

If this all is unclear I thing the Taiho is the best option for me.

Greetings Christian

[Dan K]

Yes, Flyhawk has produced that flight deck with two options, FH70099 for the Tamyia kits and FH700271 for the Fujimi kits. The decks and parts are identical. The only piece that is different is the resin insert meant for particular kit hull.

Shokaku and Zuikaku had identical flight decks, aside from markings, so you can use them accordingly.

Based upon my FH Taiho set, I'm not sure if these come with a resin insert to fit the hull or not. Mine didn't, so I will have to fashion one out of styrene if I choose to use it.

[ch hoeltge]

Ok thanks.
It looks like the Flyhawk set for Fujimi Zuikaku cames with a resin part.
I think I will go that way, main problem now I have to order at different shops.
To find, who as all things isn't easy.

Greetings Christian