Calling all IJN Takao-class (高雄型) fans

[Dan K]

I guess the issue for a late war Chokai is the sparseness of documentation. The few available late war photos are not close-ups so, some details are hard to see. An illustration of Chokai 1943 from the L&W IJN cruiser bible is posted below.

Some details in the Gakken illustration may be conjecture. The structure between the funnels is a crew rest qtrs for the additonal AA crews; the illustration also shows another one below. I wonder if this lower area (both sides) is depicted accurately as it would mean rerouting many large air intakes. Small details, though.

The Fukui books are long out of print so, you'll find them mostly on Ebay. Clear, large format photos of Chokai are included in the recent IJN Cruiser volume from the Diamond Sha KMM (Kure Maritime Museum) series. See: http://www.hlj.com/product/DIA95059 It may be unavailable from HLJ but it's still carried in many bookstores.

I'll try to look up the Gakken ISBN.

[Dan K]

Send or post an email address and I can send you a much larger version of that portion of the Gakken illustration

[mozartsgarage]

Sure; cool: hozhonahasglii@yahoo.com I'll work on working the pix-post feature this weekend. Ciao, Stephen

[Atma]

Fujimi's February release is Takao in 1/700 http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10133602
A bit strange isnt it ? But if ou come to think Aoshima's and Pit Road kits are almost 10 year old.

[Dan K]

The PitRoad kits are close to ten, Aoshima only 5. Clearly, Fujimi is just going for broke.

[Atma]

Well why so ? Takao class is by far the most famous heavy cruisers of Japanese Navy and one of the most famous of WWII in general. Aoshima's and Pit Road's had thier issues, the best way was to combine both kits to make a nice Takao or any of her sister ships. Judging by Tone (wich at the moment is the best Japanese Heavy Cruiser in the market in 1/700) and Myoko class that have been released recently by Fujimi we might have the perfect Takao in 1/700 at last without those errors that Aoshima's and Pit Road's kit are suffering.And besides that, the Japanese market is always open for them.

[Dan K]

Well, we are all entitled to our opinion, right, Atma? Fujimi is certainly seems to be looking to achieve a high level of detail and proper scale with its new kits but, they have still have their issues. I often feel that they are in a hurry to release them and leave in obvious mistakes that a little proper research can correct.

The Kongo/Haruna casemate issue mars an otherwise excellent kit. I had the Fujimi Myoko; I don't think it is quite as good as the Hasegawa kit as there are issues with the shape of the compass bridge(s), also the hull shear line. The new Tone does look very good; I will reserve my opinion until I build it.

The Akizuki has serious issues with its bridge AA command level but the hull looks nice. The new Yukikaze/Urakaze kit is very nicely molded but, overly complicated to assemble.The main mount bases on the main deck are flat out wrong. I like the hull (again with those molded-on ladders - methinks someone is confusing plimsoll markings for ladders) very much but I can't understand why the prow is molded as a separate piece. This complicates the build immensely to get the fit right. Same with the nicely molded bridge. Very complicated assembly with many seams to fit/fill/sand.

I'm not so sure that the new Takao kit will bring an improvement in accuracy over the Aoshima kits, just more detail. Aoshima got the scale and shapes right. I look forward to the new Shokaku and Taiho.

[Atma]

Well we have to wait and see, and for sure Fujimi's Myoko's are better than the Hasegawa kits wich for me especially the bridge and main gunx are overall too simplistic.Anyway, all this is a healthy competition, for example now (well at Ferbuary of 2011 at least) we can choose 3 different Takao's or we can take them all and combine to a one marvelous 1/700 Heavy Cruiser.But if you want my opinion on Fujimi's subject I would loved better a Hyuga Battleship in all gun configuration in 1/700 or a Furutaka/Aoba or an Oyodo class in 1/350.

Edit:Im looking forward to complet my Aoshima's Atago mid 30's project and to lay my hands on the new Tone from Tamiya in 1/350.
Edit 2: Anyone can post of a picture of number 1# turret's rangefinder of the Atago/Takao and Chokai/Maya durring the 40's ? It was removed completely or the wings with spotholes just removed ?

[Dan K]

I agree; kitbashing some of these kits does offer some very good possibilities. I foresee my doing so for an Akizuki, and a Yugumo project now underway (PitRoad bridge plus the Aoshima or Fujimi Kagero type hull with mods.)

My order's in for the new Tamiya Tone, and a 1/700 Hyuga would be cool - esp. with #5 mount relaced by the AA. I hope you post pics of your Atago project. Not enough folks do a 1930s version of the Takaos.

[Dan K]

Just the wings were removed

[Atma]

Oh thank you thank you ! I supose the wings have been removed from early '40's to all four of Takao class cruiser.Btw Im using the Chokai kit as a base, from Aoshima in 1/350 for the 1930's "look" of Atago.

[Dan K]

Smart choice, as only the Chokai kit retains the correct hull for an earlier, 1930s era fit. I suspect you know that already

[Atma]

Yeap with Chokai and "a little effort" you can make any vessel of the Takao class during ealry mid 30's easy.Valuable help is the "Model Art 464 Super Illustration 2- Japanese Heavy Cruiser ''Takao'' 1927-1937", "Anatomy of the Ship - The Heavy Cruiser Takao" and of course the bible of Japanese Cruisers:"Japanese Cruisers of The Pacific War"

[peppe]

more sources, polish:

- profile morskie 7 chokai and 15 maya
_http://profilemorskie.home.pl/Bookshop_1.htm_

- kagero book in 3D on takao in english
_http://sklep.kagero.pl/product_info.php?cPath=38_109&products_id=823_

- kagero militaria XX wieku with a article illustrated by 3D renderings of takao
_http://sklep.kagero.pl/product_info.php?cPath=39_112&products_id=853_

ciao peppe

[peppe]

still more model art waterline special #26 in japanese
_http://www.modelart.jp/wls.026.html_
_http://www.hlj.com/product/MDAKS-26_
ciao peppe

[Dan K]

A caution for the line drawings in the Profile Morski volume. They are not entirely correct.

[Atma]

More pciture of the new Takao from Fujimi:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10133602a/20/1

http://www.fujimimokei.com/prod_syosai/takao.html

[iansenior]

Hi
I know that I may sound a bit bumb but I have just got hold oh a number of plans and I believe that one is of the Takao Class heavy cruiser but I cannot read japanese can anybody help me

[Timmy C]

That's for the Chokai - shipname is in row 1, column 2.

[iansenior]

Hi
and thanks timmy I can now put a name to the ship that i'am trying to build

Ian