I couldn't find this carrier in any of the other "Calling all" topics, but think she certainly deserves some attention! Besides that, I have a question I find it hard to find an answer to: I�m trying to find out what colour(s) H?sh? was painted after having her flightdeck lengthened. The instructions in a 1/700 Fujimi model kit I have aren�t too helpful. I would assume a standard grey on the sides and the top of the flightdeck from looking at the box-art and the instructions:
Her flight deck was lengthened in April, 1944, at which point she was painted gray and the flight deck was unpainted. At some point in 1945, she was given camouflage, but I am uncertain of the exact dates, colors and patterns.
Dan K wrote:Her flight deck was lengthened in April, 1944, at which point she was painted gray and the flight deck was unpainted. At some point in 1945, she was given camouflage, but I am uncertain of the exact dates, colors and patterns.
Thank you, Dan! Do you know if the flight deck was full metal, or was it more a case of adding a piece in the front and the back (and slimming the sides) of the previous mixed metal/wood decking?
Wouldn�t an unpainted deck result in a rusty mess?
The flight deck extensions for and aft were probably latex coated over metal plating. Everything else was originally wood planking over metal planking, and likely would have stayed that way.
Dan K wrote:The flight deck extensions for and aft were probably latex coated over metal plating. Everything else was originally wood planking over metal planking, and likely would have stayed that way.
Thanks Dan! Would this latex be grey or another color?
On another note, wouldn�t it be super-slippery when wet? I know I don�t want to ride my motorcycle over rubber speedbumps or those �glued-on� white stripes or arrows on the road surface in the rain. Touch the brakes and you perform geological research! For that same reason I don�t understand the Japanese use of linoleum on decks. I have slipped many times with wet shoes on the linoleum floors in school....
The latex would have been mixed with grey paint to render it the same color. The latex had silica, sawdust and portland cement mixed in to improve its anti-slip qualities. I couldn't say exactly how effective it was; the IJN experimented with a lot of materials to find a substitute for the wood planking.
All surfaces can be slick when wet. Linoleum was apparently satisfactory option. The Japanese took their cues from the Royal Navy, which also used linoleum on their decks, though they called it corticene.
The latex would have been mixed with grey paint to render it the same color. The latex had silica, sawdust and portland cement mixed in to improve its anti-slip qualities. I couldn't say exactly how effective it was; the IJN experimented with a lot of materials to find a substitute for the wood planking.
All surfaces can be slick when wet. Linoleum was apparently satisfactory option. The Japanese took their cues from the Royal Navy, which also used linoleum on their decks, though they called it corticene.
Thank you Dan! Very helpful to me! The confusion and uncertainty withheld me from commencing with H?sh?!
How much is involved in modifying the Fujimi H?sh? kit depends on which kit you have. Fujimi's original H?sh? (Nr 43084, reissued as 43085 and 43086) dates back to 1995, and represents her original configuration as built. Fujimi issued a new-tool H?sh? in 2011 (Nr 43103), with a date of 1939 on the box. Since then, this version has been released, apparently with added parts, with box dates of 1942 (Nr 43103) and 1944 (Nr 43106). Warship 2008 (Conway Maritime Press, 2008) contains an in-depth article which covers modifications during her career.
I have the Fujimi 1942 Hosho kit # 43104. I have Googled trying to find a wood deck and PE set but to no avail. I checked Scalemates but the information there seems contradictory and confusing.
Doers anyone know who offers an ahesive wood deck and photo-etch set for this kit?
Dan K wrote:She underwent a refit in 1939 that enlarged her lifts, but was otherwise unchanged thru 1942. The 1939 kit is probably post-refit.
Yes the 39, 42 and 44 kits all have the same parts for the ship. There are only different planes and decals inside. And the 44 kit has a new pe flightdeck of course.
