The Ship Model Forum

An in-box review of the 1/700 Kajika IJN Kongo 1914 by Randall Shoker has been posted.

=====================Edit by Admin==================================

Kajika 1/700 IJN Kongo Battlecruiser: Initial Impressions

I received the Kajika 1/700 IJN Kongo battlecruiser kit this weekend. As I do not have proper references, this will not be a full-blown review, and I cannot evaluate the accuracy of the kit. Rather, these are my initial impressions.

Kajika apparently is a partner or subsidiary of Flyhawk, and the model reflects that heritage. It is crisply molded in dark grey plastic using slide molding technology. The hull is molded in one piece with a separate red waterline plate (there is no full-hull option). It is molded with protective sprues wrapped around the bow and stern, to protect both ends, which is a nice touch. The deck detail and clutter is outstanding, and the wooden planking is very fine and restrained. I like that they do not attempt to portray the butts of the deck planks, which is often done in symmetric alternating rows which I find unrealistic. The kit does not come with a photo-etch (PE) fret, though a dedicated set produced by Kajika is available separately.

Primary and secondary armaments are very finely molded, with the main guns having nicely in-scale bore openings. The ships boats are also beautifully rendered, as are the tripod masts, which are shipped in their own protective sprues and separate box. The stacks are nicely rendered as one-piece castings, with separate funnel caps, though the funnel cap grills are a bit overscale. Replacements are available with the aforementioned PE set that Kajika markets for this kit. Similarly, the midship searchlight platforms are molded as a single piece, though the PE set provides a a finely rendered PE searchlight platform with cross-bracing which is much more realistic.

Finally, there are two rising sun flag decals to complete the kit.

As mentioned above, PE for this kit (including railing) is available separately, as are deck masks and adhesive wooden decks, for those who prefer that option.

Overall, another wonderful offering from Flyhawk and its partners, though due to the profusion of small parts, some prior experience working on more complex 1/700 scale kits is highly desirable.

Highly recommended.

Mike E.

_________________
Mike E.

Seconded, the kit is fantastic. I've ripped mine out of the packaging and started building within days of getting it. My hull has a slight warp but the plastic is soft so should be an easy fix once the waterline plate and decks are there to hold it straight.

I also don't have plans but I compared the hull with the Fujimi WWII version and it's an almost perfect match (obviously accounting for bulges and extended stern on the refitted ship). The main turrets are the jewels in the crown of this kit, especially since almost every other manufacturer (resin included) gets the distinctive shape of the WWI RN/IJN sloped roof turrets so wrong. They are crisp, sharp edged and just look right!

I hope Flyhawk/Kajika keep these coming. If I had to pick one kit to put my finger on and say "this marks the point plastic has made resin obsolete", it's the Kajika Kongo.

Thanks for the review!

_________________
Vlad

I got my kit also on saturday and yes it is a real beauty.
It is on pair with the Hermes from Flyhawk.
I also have the pe set and the barrels. The pe set will improve the "letdowns" of the kit.
All I have wanted more would have been pe anchors.
And the torpedonet is also missing.
On the Derfflinger class it was included in plastic and as belt in the extra parts. Here you have to make it by yourself.

Greetings Christian

_________________
At work:

1/700 IJN Yahagi

How do you simulate torpedo netting in 1/700? I also have Flyhawk Derfflinger and the netting is very small in diameter. A piece of rolled up nylon stocking?

I believe this is indeed the preferred method of the masters and I've seen it recommended a few times on this site. You need to pull it to get it nice and thin, it's easier said than done! I didn't spot this omission on mine, I'm tempted to try something that's a bit less hassle, I was thinking some thin cord as used for DIY necklaces.

_________________
Vlad

On my Blücher I used rolled tissue, but wasn't completly satisfied with it.



So I'm open to new ideas .

Greetings Christian

_________________
At work:

1/700 IJN Yahagi

Thx for posting the review, Mike. Sounds like a really great kit.

Using Haruna's as-built measurements for comparison, OAL in 1/700 should be 306.54mm, and width of 40mm.

I've realized something interesting about the kit - the instructions call for a total of NINE L-7 boats. There are only SEVEN on the boat sprue. Two more are needed for the quarter-deck davits. I sourced a couple of similar-looking boats from an S-Models sprue.

Not my area of expertise (limited as it is) but wondered, now that other sips in the class are coming out - are there any significant differences in the kits? Or, to put it another way, are there enough differences to purchase another one?

Mainly they are similar, but there are some noticeable differences in bridge tower construction, and funnel height.

Hmmmmm . . . sounds like if I get the one with the most differences a second purchase might be on, but not a third one. Thank you.

A review of the sistership Kajika 1/700 Japanese Battlecruiser Haruna by Martin J Quinn was posted

_________________
Timothy Dike
Owner & Administrator
ModelWarships.com

An in-box review of the Kajika 1/700 Kirishima 1915, Kongo class battlecruiser by Dan Kaplan has been posted.

_________________
Timothy Dike
Owner & Administrator
ModelWarships.com

FYI the box art seems to show Kajika at the fitting out wharf at the Mitsubishi Naval Dockyard at Nagasaki.


Iain

Agreed, for Kirishima.