The Ship Model Forum

Dan K wrote:Thank you all for those comments. I really, really appreciate them.


even the "tail feathers" of the 'Kates' ailerons (was that painted or decals!!??)

Decals, Mario. One word of hard-earned advice � make sure your setting agent is fresh. Otherwise, you�ll be applying coats of setting solution forever��..

What material did you use for those white straps around the life boats beside the superstructure?

Those are simply cut from plain copy paper, but they�ve been coated with Liquitex matte medium. I do that more for a preservative than anything else, though the matte medium does help with gluing. The actual straps were thin; I see too many examples cut too wide. Also, they weren�t always white. Sometimes black or grey.

I'm guessing that there's a museum on Oahu--or somewhere in Japan--that would like this "pristine" look as much as you like to build them that way.

Hmm, interesting. I actually have no idea. Hopefully, it will be a while before I have to think about that.

what were the references you found most useful?

Good question. I�ve got a pretty deep IJN library, so I was able to draw on many sources. With that said, the new AOTS Hiryu book is surprisingly thorough and extremely well done. The only nitpick I had was with the absence of landing light arrays depicted on the starboard side. And, I know that is because available plans and photos don�t show them there, but the landing system needs arrays on both sides of the ship to work. I did not obtain this book until the build was about 2/3s done, but this is a great single volume resource.

The Kure Maritime Museum book on IJN CVs has good, large format photos of Hiryu on trial and fitting out, so that�s also helpful. I believe USNI is now publishing this series with captions in English.

I have two different sets of Hiryu plans (Hara Shobo and Kojinsha), but if one obtains the AOTS volume, these probably aren�t necessary.

This book is very pricey, but has good information on mechanisms and background. Some unique photos of various CVs: https://www.amazon.com/Aircraft-Carrier ... 8360041644



I'm still planning to add a few details.

A recent photo shoot did not produce many good photos, but here is one showing one of the Vals in the hangar.