The Ship Model Forum

The IJN used metric system measurements.

Yes... but there are some quirks to that, such as the 14" battleship guns that were called 36cm, though they really were true 14" diameters; old construction, a holdover from their British origin true... but then there's their WWII heavy cruiser guns which were officially designated as a 20cm/50 weapon, and sometimes a bore diameter of 20.3cm is stated, but were in fact 20.32cm, or precisely 8.0" to max out the gun size to treaty limits. The Akagi's 12cm weapons followed a series of earlier 4.7" guns that were redesignated as 12cm after Japan went metric, and if they were able to keep firing the same types of projectiles then they probably matched the diameters of the earlier guns.

- Sean F.

All I know is that the Japanese documentation always uses metric measurements.

I`m about to start building the hasegawa 1:700 Akagi and I try to collect all reference material what I can find. I was just wondering how these model companies can design an accurate model from a few old photographs? They know the basic dimensions but, surely lots of details unseen on them. Is it just an educated guesswork or are the plans existing in some japanese naval libraries? I`m not expecting to find them anywhere , asking just for curiosity . Tanks , Planes are easy to research because you don`t have to dive 5000m in the pacific ocean to find them

There are plans out there. Many are published, including those for Akagi. She was very well documented.

I'm getting my ducks in a row to build Akagi and Kaga in 1/350. Looking really forward to building these kits. Akagi is the Hasegawa kit and looks really nice, The Kaga is the Fujimi kit and also looks really nice. It's most likely going to take a few years to build both kits. But I need some advice. In trying to do some research I've seen both with the late war green camo. I'm sure this is wrong, But would like clarification. I'm sure the paint scheme is basically what's on the box art. Other than that the Akagi isn't really sporting great detail upgrade kit. So is there anything out there that can still be bought? Other than that any advice or suggestions? I do thank you for any and all advice!

won't be late war green being both ships sunk at Midway.
Kaga http://combinedfleet.com/kaga01.jpg http://combinedfleet.com/ships/kaga
Akagi http://combinedfleet.com/akagi01.jpg http://combinedfleet.com/ships/akagi
http://www.combinedfleet.com/kaigun.htm

There are several PE frets for Akagi from Hasegawa. Altogether, they are very comprehensive.

Paint for both will be one of the IJN greys. Flight decks are unpainted wood. IMHO, a deck tan paint with a wash will look very, very good.

I thank you both for the info. I've seen that both ships have been found. Is there a survey of either ship in it's resting place?

most likely there was surveys done like the other sunken ships found.

Both ships were examined, though I can't say how extensive the survey was. If you go to the r/v Petrel FB page, there are serveral videos of the Kaga wreck, plus photos: https://www.facebook.com/rvpetrel/

From what I remember, the Kaga was photographed. Akagi had been located and sonar imaging done, but the ROV failed before they could get pictures. They were slated to go back, but I haven't heard if they made it.

Kaga was photographed. She sits upright in about 18,000 feet of water buried in the seafloor up to her degaussing wires. Most of her superstructure and flight deck are missing; not surprising given the fires she endured before sinking. She is surrounded by a large debris field.

Akagi sits upright in 18,011 feet of water and is apparently upright and largely intact. However, as quoted above, ROV problems kept Petrel from doing an in-depth survey of her.

As for going back, tragically it doesn't look like that will happen; Petrel has been defunded and laid up indefinitely.

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MS State Guard, 08 March 2014 - present