Calling all Hiyo (飛鷹) and Junyo (隼鷹) fans

[Dan K]

Unfortunately, I don't know, nor does FlyHawk post the information online. The Hiyos had taller masts, so I can tell you from a visual inspection that it is not FlyHawk set #3, or set #1, which is for some of the less standard masts.

[Brian1]

Thanks Dan, ive contacted them, but still no response, it is frustrating! If i get a response from them ill post it here.

[Brian 1]

I heard back from Flyhawk, unfortunately this is the response i received about the 1/350 Hasegawa Junyo.

"thanks for your inform. I checked our product, no one fit Junyo. hope you can find it in the near future."

[Dan K]

Thx for the follow-up, Brian. It's sort of a shame they didn't give you a listing.

While not exactly a reliable source, the Fine Molds 1/700 AM-31 set, which is their CV mast set #1 of 4, has masts which they say are sized for Kaga, Ryujo, Hiyo/Junyo, and Taiho. I bring this up because it always seemed to me that FlyHawk basically copied the FM sets and enlarged them. My two cents.

[Brian 1]

I guess im just going to buy a set that looks similar to the Junyo configuration. Truthfully, i doubt anyone would notice the diffrrence. I just wish flyhawk would label their products by application. As a side note, you have any idea which of their mast sets is for Akagi in 350? Thanks

[Dan K]

The height of the complete radio mast (latticework base plus mast and yardarm top) in the Junyo/Hiyo kit is 40.5mm. Perhaps someone who owns Flyhawk set(s) 350137, 350138 or 350139 could measure their versions and post the findings.

Akagi's masts were notably different, being one tall mast and yardarm support by a single lattice frame. FH set 350140 appears to match that.

[Nanond]

I'm building Fujimi IJN Junyo in her October 1944 configuration.
My references are mainly this forum, pictures from the internet and TROM from combinedfleet.com. I have a few questions and some of my assumptions here which I'd appreciate comments on.

Junyo's modification after the Battle of the Marianas, base on TROM, included
14 July 1944:
1. three Type 96 triple 25mm AA mounts << I assumed they were placed around the island.
2. two Type 96 twin 25mm AA mounts << where were they placed?
3. a number of single 25mm AA mounts << I assumed some were detachable mounts, so maybe there position is not very strict.
4. I wasn't mentioned but I guess the small structure (a room?) behind the island, where the mast used to be place on the deck, was added during this refit as well. Is it for the gun crew? or it was added in September in association with the type 13 radar?

26 September 1944:
Since there was not any other major refit after this one, I assumed Junyo stayed in this configuration until the end of the war.
5. six racks of 30-tube (180) 127mm. (5-inch) AA phosphorous rocket launchers mounted in sponsons on each beam far aft.
This is one of the problematic areas. TROM mentioned "each beam far aft". From The aerial view from her stern, I could spot the battery of 3 launchers on her port aft sponson. The starboard side is hard to see. I'd say I don't see any from this angle.

A view looking aft on the starboard, I'd say I can't spot them from this view either.


Instead, they can be found in the forward part of the ship, 3 launchers on starboard side and, I think, another 3 on the opposite side as well. (Tamiya place the launchers in the forward part in their kit.)


So, how many launchers did Junyo carry? 6? 9? 12?

6. Camouflage: I want to do green camouflage for my Junyo. Based on the picture of her bow after being torpedoed in December 1944, she already had camouflage then. So I assumed she was given her camouflage during the September refit. And was the deck camouflaged too? Her deck in 1945 still showed hint of camouflage similar to those on Zuikaku/Zuiho/Unryu-class. So I assumed she had deck camouflage in September too, which had worn out since.


7. Her air group. The last mention on her being assigned an air group is right after her September refit. It was when she was training with 634th air group. However, the 634th departed on October 11th. What type of aircraft the 634th had? on Junyo? A quick google search showed a profile of a D4Y1 Judy. Did she have any aircraft assigned while she was on her transport role?

Well, to summarize my long questions, would it be historically accurate to model this Fujimi Junyo, modified according to assumption above, in camouflage and with aircraft on board?

[Dan K]

I can respond on some of these questions:

14 July 1944:
1. three Type 96 triple 25mm AA mounts << I assumed they were placed around the island.

DK: one on the bow, one forward high above the 01 level on the bridge, one aft atop the new structure supporting the mainmast per #4 below.

2. two Type 96 twin 25mm AA mounts << where were they placed?

DK: Not sure. Will try to research

3. a number of single 25mm AA mounts << I assumed some were detachable mounts, so maybe there position is not very strict.

DK: Agreed. some on the flight deck, maybe some additions to various bridge levels.

4. I wasn't mentioned but I guess the small structure (a room?) behind the island, where the mast used to be place on the deck, was added during this refit as well. Is it for the gun crew? or it was added in September in association with the type 13 radar?

DK: Yes, radar room compartment for Type 13 radar.

5. six racks of 30-tube (180) 127mm. (5-inch) AA phosphorous rocket launchers mounted in sponsons on each beam far aft.
This is one of the problematic areas. TROM mentioned "each beam far aft".

DK: The TROM is incorrect. They were place to either side of the forward end of the flight deck. See photos below.

6. Camouflage:

DK: I read somewhere that her pilots complained about the deck camouflage, and that it was either removed or reduced, but after her airgroup was removed in Oct., it may have been reapplied. Most depictions show no flight deck camo, though the remnants are clearly obvious in the postwar photos.

7. Her air group. The last mention on her being assigned an air group is right after her September refit. It was when she was training with 634th air group. However, the 634th departed on October 11th. What type of aircraft the 634th had? on Junyo? A quick google search showed a profile of a D4Y1 Judy. Did she have any aircraft assigned while she was on her transport role?

DK: I checked a couple of references and the best seems to confirm that there was no air group aboard for her late war transport missions. Perhaps the best comes from the translation of her Japanese Wiki article.

" In the same naval battle, the Third Air Squadron ( Ruisuru , Zuiho , Chiyoda , Chitose ) was annihilated, and Musashi built next to Hayataka also sank [244] [245] . After that there was no aircraft strength to be equipped, the remaining aircraft carriers began to engage in transportation operations. The aircraft carries a large amount of supplies on a hangar or flight deck, and it is much faster than a regular transport ship and it was also suitable as a transport ship [246]"

[Nanond]

I can respond on some of these questions:

DK: The TROM is incorrect. They were place to either side of the forward end of the flight deck. See photos below.

Hi Dan, thank you so very much for your response. It's interesting to hear that pilots were complaining about the camouflage.
About the AA rockets, they were fit to the rear as well?

Nanond

[Dan K]

My pleasure.

No AA rockets aft at all, only at the bow.

[Dan K]

This link will take you to a great 1/350 version of what you propose, less a camouflaged flight deck: http://hobbycom.jp/my/774037658e/photo/products/42604

[Dick J]

My pleasure.

No AA rockets aft at all, only at the bow.

Dan, the model you just linked to has rocket launchers on the port quarter as well as on both bows. That also seems to be supported by the ship photos above. Rockets on both bows and on the port quarter, but not the starboard quarter.

[Dan K]

Thx, Dick. I stand corrected!

[Frank381]

new Picture of Junyo

[Dan K]

Nicely staged model.

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Nicely staged model.

Yeah, that's definitely a model.

[Frank381]

adjustment of the camouflage scheme. I think it might have looked like this...basic ist the photo from Modelart No.63 page 78/79

[Dan K]

Looks effective. The postwar view of Junyo's flight deck is clearly more worn from lack of maintenance.

[Frank381]

Junyo along side � original and special

[thebunkerparodie]

did junyo/hiyo ever had all of the planified plane on board or not?