Kawasaki class oil tankers in 1/700�Kenyo & Kyokuto Maru (F)

[Dan K]

A lot more little detail work has been taking place that may not be readily apparent in these photos. A lot of work in the bow area, plus gun tubs, and preliminary fender placements on the port side.

However, no repainting the pulley cables yet, Marijn.

[MartinJQuinn]

Beautiful work.

[Joe Simon]

Great work as usual Dan!

[Dan K]

Thx, gents.

Jeff Lin is not the only one working on IJN tanker fenders.

[Mike C]

Thx, gents.

Jeff Lin is not the only one working on IJN tanker fenders.

Marvelous work so far, Dan. I'd like to see a large format, hi-rez portfolio of the finished projects in pdf files. There is too much detail to catch it all in these tiny photos.

Have you compared the sizes of the fenders to similar sizes of the real things? I hope you haven't been cursed with my affliction of scratch building the first copy too large.

I hope you'll be able to submit the finished photos to Model Art, or Navy Yard. These are really good and I think they would be appreciated as much by a Japanese audience.

[Joe Simon]

Great work as always Dan!

[Dan K]

Thank you both. I appreciate the kudos. Shinkoku Maru is turning out about as well as I had hoped.

As we once discussed offline, Mike, the size of the fenders is a guesstimate. There are no measurements that i know of. And, things are complicated by the fact that there were several different types of fenders in use. Some photos seem to indicate that the cages are about as tall as a man (Japanese, that era). So, that was my target.

Submit to a magazine, eh? I'd never thought about that. A tantalizing thought.

Since the last posting, I've installed all the remaining deck equipment (remaining fenders, winches, steam lines, small davits, flotation lumber, etc.), and begun the rigging, starting with the mast stays. The end is in sight.

[Frank381]

Extreme good work
thx for the last 3 original photos

[Chuck Bauer]

This photography is clearly showing the precision fit and finesse of the build. The first two photos, especially, give one the impression that the model is three feet long. The pipes and masts and rigging all create a busy look with lots of eye candy.
Very tasty!

[Dan K]

Very much appreciated, Chuck, Frank.

Makes me wonder if we might one day see a 1/350 kit version. Doesn't seem quite as improbable as it once did. Though, one would hope it would be a little more accurate out of the box.

[Devin]

Fantastic work, as always, Dan.

[shipclambake]

Hi Dan can you tell me what the masts were used for on these oil tankers thanks?

[Dan K]

Are you referring to just the tripod in the rear?

[shipclambake]

Are you referring to just the tripod in the rear?

The ones in the back middle and front.

[Dan K]

Well, the fore and mainmasts have their usual role in supporting rigging for radio aerials and flag signals, as well as supporting various booms used for moving refueling hoses around. The same with the midships kingposts and the aft tripod.

[shipclambake]

Thanks Dan.

[gfst]

Hmm, I meant to write Kenyo Maru, not Kokuyo Maru, in the previous post.

Kyokuto Maru�s bridge is now completed to the same degree as Kenyo Maru. I added the extra long accommodation ladders (from the GMM extra ladder set) that were placed on the bridge to both ships, and their davits as well. Plenty of mis-steps along the way, which is why so much time has passed since the last post. I even managed to remove and re-position the searchlight on Kyokuto Maru, as it had too much forward tilt to it.

While there are still some details to be added to the bridges, particularly in the open cockpit atop the bridge, nothing else can really be done until they are glued in place. Both bridges still have some Tamiya tape down on the deck within the confines of the open cockpit, to facilitate handling.

Extreme good work!
What is the name of this signaling device?

[Dan K]

Thank you. I'm not sure of the official name; it's usually something like "stern signal and maneuvering lights".

Almost every IJN warship has one. Many auxiliaries as well. It's usually mounted on the mainmast facing aft and used to signal following ships about the lead ship's rudder changes, speed, turns, even to open fire.

Many UNREP tankers had these mounted on the bridge wings to help with station keeping while refueling.

[gfst]

Thank you. I'm not sure of the official name; it's usually something like "stern signal and maneuvering lights".

Almost every IJN warship has one. Many auxiliaries as well. It's usually mounted on the mainmast facing aft and used to signal following ships about the lead ship's rudder changes, speed, turns, even to open fire.

Many UNREP tankers had these mounted on the bridge wings to help with station keeping while refueling.

Thank you very much, very much!