Calling all Akagi (赤城) and Kaga (加賀) fans

[Dan K]

The IJN used metric system measurements.

[SeanF]

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.

[Dan K]

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

[Mykman]

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

[Dan K]

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

[prowannab]

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!

[Dan K]

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.

[prowannab]

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?

[Dan K]

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/

[Dick J]

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?

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.

[ijnfleetadmiral]

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?

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.

[Iceman 29]

September 2023:

First visual reconnaissance of the Akagi ??, a historic wreck from the Battle of Midway.



IJN Aircraft carrier Akagi
Date: 6 April 1925
Location: Kure naval dockyard, Japan





The visual survey of the Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi ?? by the Ocean Exploration Trust , is the first time anyone has laid eyes on the ship since it sank during the Battle of Midway in June 1942.

The Akagi was initially located during a mapping survey conducted by Vulcan, Inc. in 2019, with the participation of the US Navy. On 10 September 2023, the E/V Nautilus team spent 14 hours sounding the Akagi, examining battle damage and collision with the seabed in the ship's structure.

The dive was launched and closed with ceremonial ceremonies to honour this site and all those who lost their lives in a way that reflects their importance to K?naka ?Oiwi (Native Hawaiian), Japanese and US military families and communities.

.

These historic, non-invasive dives were conducted during the E/V Nautilus Ala ?Aumoana Kai Uli expedition, a 27-day NOAA-funded mission to explore never-before-seen deep-water habitats to collect baseline data needed to support management in the most remote and northwestern part of the Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument (PMNM).

PMNM is a UNESCO World Heritage Site distinguished by its cultural and natural significance. It is the only site in the United States to enjoy this special distinction. It is currently under consideration for designation as a National Marine Sanctuary to further safeguard its diverse natural, cultural and marine resources for future generations.

The Battle of Midway studies were made possible through the expertise, support and collaboration of many partners, including Ocean Exploration Trust, NOAA Ocean Exploration, NOAA Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute, NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, SEARCH, Inc, U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command, International Midway Memorial Foundation, Papah?naumoku?kea Marine National Monument, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, State of Hawai?i, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, University of Maryland, University of Rhode Island, University of Hawai?i, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, Air/Sea Heritage Foundation, and fellow Japanese archaeologists from Teikyo University, Tokai University and Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology.

To find out more about this expedition, funded by NOAA Ocean Exploration via the Ocean Exploration Cooperative Institute:

https://nautiluslive.org/cruise/na154

https://nautiluslive.org/video/2023/09/ ... -shipwreck





The chrysanthemum on the bow:


The island:
[/quote]

[NavyShooter]

I watched the (a?) video of this yesterday, not the live feed that was run.

It was quite fascinating as they voiced over the wreck - unfortunately, many of the people in the voice over had absolutely no idea what they were talking about, and it was obvious from the carefully worded responses from the folks that actually know what they're doing that they were being...patient....

The damage to the island was interesting to note.

Also - a question - was the reason that they were surging up and down all the time related to the currents at depth, or the cable connection to the surface ship? I would have thought that based on depth and cable length that the surface effect would have been minimized.

[Iceman 29]

Bruno's excellent comment!

? ? ? ?

bgire wrote:

A scoop: for operation Midway, the names of the ships were masked to maintain secrecy in their identification by the American submarines:

[Gernot]

In hiragana, albeit old style so I am not sure exactly which shape was used for which sound in some cases:
??? in reverse order so ? ? ?

[Iceman 29]

Interesting!

Other Japanese aircraft carriers and rare photos of their names, painted on the stern:

[TZoli]

Does anybody knows if drawings exists showing the Akagi and/or Kaga inboard profile?

[Dan K]

To be released shortly, Bunker Studios 1/350 3D printed Akagi Bridge: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/11077576

This item was previewed at the 3D Wild table at this years IPMS Nationals in Madison, WI in July. It was an impressive piece.

Personally, I'm not sure that it's superior to the Hasegawa kit pieces outside of ease of assembly. I would think it a bit more fragile. But saving time can certainly be important.

Image via Hobby Search Japan

[maurice de saxe]

Tetra Model Works produces a very comprehensive (and expensive) upgrade set for Fujimi's 1:350-scale Kaga. Does anything similar exist from any producer for 1:700-scale models of Kaga (or Akagi, for that matter)?

Maurice

[Dan K]

Not really for 1/700.

There were some good, kit specific PE sets out there for the Fujimi versions, and also (I think) for the new Hasegawa tooling. But, none of that really applied to the flight decks. For those, there are flight deck improvement sets from Shipyard Works, and from Tetra for the Akagi. Maybe some other brands as well.