Calling all Nagato (長門) and Mutsu (陸奥) fans

[Gernot]

As I understand it, Japanese AA directors were designed to control only up to 3 mounts each. The remote fire control switchboard was not designed to handle any more. Nagato carried only 2 HA directors. If Nagato had 4 pairs of the 5" mounts, how did that last pair work? Under local control?

You're probably right. Nevertheless, reality is often not quite compatible with logic Maybe they thought they needed some spares

[J. Soca]

(hopefully it will arrive in my inbox later tonight from a kind Japanese modeler met today at Yellow Submarine)

Gernot whenever you get the picture let us see it i'm very intrigued about this. i still think is unlikely though but you never know.. japanese worked rather fast refiting ships maybe gun tubs were removed too hence there is no proof unless the shot was taken right before all her weponry was taken ashore.


Jose

[Gernot]

I'm not sure if I am allowed to post the picture, so in the meanwhile let me say for those who have this book that the picture I got sent was not the one from the publication I saw (the gentleman has that too) but a far superior one---containing side and top view of the early 1945 version, and side view of the late 1945 disarmed version---from Illustrated ship of IJN battle ships from Namiki shobo, a new publication---if I see it I will definitely buy it, possibly I will even order it at my local bookstore over the next few days.

In brief, translated from the caption:

April 1945: on her return from the Battle of Leyte Gulf, Nagato was repaired at Yokosuka, and had her AA armament strengthened Two 127mm mounts and about 10 more triple 25mm mounts were fitted. To this end, a new structure was build between bridge, foremast and funnel, and a portion of the searchlight platform was converted to machine gun positions. The deck 25mm mounts that gave way to the newly fitted 127mm mounts were apparently re-situated somewhere, but the exact location is unknown. Furthermore, in March 1945 it seems that 18 of the single 25mm guns were removed. However, we show here in this drawing all 30 of these mounts.

From what I can see, the most powerful AA armament was therefore from about late November 1944 until March 1945. The armament at this time appears to be:

• 8 16in in 4 twin turrets
• 18 5.5in in single casemates
• 12 5in DP in 6 twin mounts
• about 105 25mm in maybe 21 triple, 6 twin and 30 single mounts

I am not 100% sure about the 25mm guns because I cannot deduce exactly how many of each type of mounting is on the bridge---I would need to compare with a more common 1944 detail drawing of Nagato to check that.

Hope that helps.
Gernot

[J. Soca]

From what I can see, the most powerful AA armament was therefore from about late November 1944 until March 1945. The armament at this time appears to be:

• 12 5in DP in 6 twin mounts
  
  Gernot

well, at least the 127 mm gun problem is settled.. case closed on this one

Jose

[russclark]

well roma should be finished sometime next year maybe,so next i would like to do a japanese battleship,mutsu or nagato in 1/200 scale.with roma i had a heck of a time getting good plans and referance material,jim baumann was a big help as where a lot of others.this time i want to be prepared so i am rounding up info now.i just recieved a book called imperial japanese navy battleship nagato super illustrations from hobbylink japan.if it is correct it is the most detailed info i have ever had ,it has drawings of nagato and also the differances between mutsu.the book also seems to imply that there are a lot more info on mutsu than nagato,lots of reference to pics of mutsu that say nagato should be the same(on minor details).the book i think (i am not a expert)shows the ships as of the 1936 rebuild,i would like to do one or the other as of the time they had the most a.a battery,probably 1943?.there are some great looking models from 1/700 to 1/200 out there some kits and some scratch.the bar is set pretty high.i might have to try to find 1/200 castings and photo etch which is hard to find.but i have over a year to look around.

[Gilbert]

Hello Russ,

Yes, the Model Art Super Illustration is a very good source. Another one is AJ Press #52 depicting Nagato as in 1944 with many 3CG colour pictures. Their website is here : http://aj-press.home.pl/main_euro.htm .

Cheers

Gilbert

[russclark]

that sounds like a very good book gilbert,i may have to order it,i recieved my 1/200 scale plans from miyukikai japan thru pacific front hobbys,three sheets ,these are the kind of plans i like,lots of detail and lots of elevations .like a blueprint.the only thing missing is a side and top elevation of the bulges,the hull section plan shows them so it is not a big deal.

[Gilbert]

that sounds like a very good book gilbert

Yes Russ, it is a very good book and the text is bilingual as well (Polish/English) with lots of information about the various refits sustained by Nagato during her service life.

Cheers

Gilbert

[Mperor]

hey guys,

I was just wondering...

In the overall scheme of things - how different was Nagato to Mutsu?

I was reading up on their kits, and saw that the newly released Aoshima kits are, besides small details, identical.

Were the two ships really that identical? Or is Aoshima just lazy? lol


Also, if anyone here has had experience with those kits, let me know if you'd recommend them. They are:
-1/700 IJN Mutsu 1943 Hashirajima Code: AOS04160 Series: Waterline
-1/700 IJN Nagato 1944 Leyte Gulf Code: AOS04159 Series: Waterline


Thanks.

[Gilbert]

Hi Mperor,

in 1941-1943 timeframe, both ships were nearly identical. Conning towers were slightly different as some deck fittings, but overall, differences were marginal. Of course, after Mutsu's sinking in 1943, Nagato's AA was heavily upgraded and was fitted with radars. Moreover, in 1945, as stated above in different posts, her appearance was very much altered in 1945.

Both Aoshima kits you mentioned are OK and could be enhanced with recently released Lion Roar PE fret. You can see Jose Soca's Nagato WIP in "pictures post WIP" subforum.

Gilbert

[MartinJQuinn]

You can see Jose Soca's Nagato WIP in "pictures post WIP" subforum.

Which you can find here

[Mperor]

Thanks for the info, guys...

But I've been building out of the box for all my kits until now.

PE is not something I want to touch at this point, so I imagine what Jose did there will not be representative of things are gonna look when I'll build mine - it'll look less detailed... lol

[russclark]

recieved my book on nagato today from air connection "nagato mutsu #52 volume 2",they are very prompt(for canada)1 week delivery. exelent book the only thing not coverd much is the funnel area.not a big deal as i have other refferances to these areas. these ships will be a very complicated build,they are very cluterd and busy.this book also has hull lines in 1/200 of the blisters which i have been having trouble finding. .thanks for the heads up gilbert.

[ir3]

Nagato Fans,

I started the 1:350 1944 Leyte Gulf Nagato and made the mistake of using the Hobby Color H83 Dark Gray(2) that Hasegawa suggested. Unfortunately, this gray is dark enough such that the detail at 1:350 is very difficult to see. While this color may be the correct color I think using the Tamiya Kure gray would have been better at this scale. Which would be the better color for the 1:200 Nagato where the detail would show up in a much nicer way. Any help would be appreciate.

Regards,

IR3

[J. Soca]

Nagato Fans,

I started the 1:350 1944 Leyte Gulf Nagato and made the mistake of using the Hobby Color H83 Dark Gray(2) that Hasegawa suggested. Unfortunately, this gray is dark enough such that the detail at 1:350 is very difficult to see. While this color may be the correct color I think using the Tamiya Kure gray would have been better at this scale. Which would be the better color for the 1:200 Nagato where the detail would show up in a much nicer way. Any help would be appreciate.

Regards,

IR3

Stick with Tamiya's Kure color, i'm modeling my 1/700 Nagato with it and i couldn't be any more happier viewtopic.php?f=59&t=42185 i'm modeling mine in 1941 though, however Nagato stopped by Kure for refiting plenty of times before Leyte, according to her TROM http://www.combinedfleet.com/nagatrom.htm and is likely she was wearing Kure arsenal's paint throughout the Leyte campaign. Good luck with the project and post some pictures from time to time.

Jose

[ir3]

My 1:350 Nagato is moving along slowly but making progress. This is the Leyte Gulf edition and I am trying to use all the PE that Hasegawa offers. It is a tough build for me as 1:350 is a little beyond my normal limits. Applying the PE is extremely difficult for me and not all the PE will go on. The upgrade that I find has the most effect is the wooden decks. Absolutely perfect fit and looks great. My major mistake was using the Gray that Hasegawa suggested. At this scale, the detail is difficult to make out. The color might be correct but I should have used the Tamiya Kure gray. It is a little lighter and I think the detail would stand out a little better. Having said that, I unfortunatly need to continue using the dark gray. I am attempting to upload some pics. They are pretty stubborn about the parameters of the uploaded pics.

I would prefer working in scales larger than 1:350. I have a fascination with pond boats at the moment and an impressive battleship or aircraft carrier would look great. Something bigger than 1:200. I hope Soar Art releases the Bismarck soon. That would be impressive. I would try a scratch build but a lot of that is beyond my skills.

I had to reduce the resolution to upload. The resolution of the pics is high enough so that zooming may work out. You will find errors and some PE that should be there but isn't.

Thanks,

IR3

[J. Soca]

Dark glossy colors always hide details.. shame you won't change it though, on the other hand if you decide to do it it'd be a hassle specially with the hull and wooden deck. Good job so far

regards

Jose

[drizzt73]

H again all, I am finally starting my 1/350 1941 Nagato. I have started a BLOG here-
viewtopic.php?f=59&t=45361

Any tips/help appreciated.

[womble]

Hello,

long time no see.

I am back to this kit.

I would also like to recommend Hasegawa pe - it is stunning, especially rails. Every rail has its specific place and fits in milimeter.

Only thing you should also buy are cable reels, i will use WEM IJN cable reels, and IJN ladders.

Canvas will be in another colour of chourse.

Tnx for watching

Great build, I was wondering where did the canvas covers for the main and secondary guns come from? They look like resin? Thanks

[drdoom1337]

Is the 1/700 KA models wood deck for the Nagato is for the 1944 version of the kit? I'm slightly confused and want to make sure I buy the right kit for the deck.