Calling all Shoho-class (祥鳳) fans

[Dan K]

Well, a new build of the PitRoad kit has just been posted on a site I eyeball frequently, below. There is a very talented Japanese modeler whose moniker translates as "Waterline Scratch Builder". Check out his site, and this build: http://www.geocities.jp/nenekobo/ryuho.html

[Jonathan]

Hi all

I'm tackling the Hasegawa Shoho at present. A couple of questions.

Does anyone have any idea what the fittings were on the deck immediately below the forward flight deck, in front of the bridge and one deck higher than the foc'sle deck? The two plans posted earlier in this thread show some stummpy looking gun mountings (practice guns?) but the famous starboard bow on view is about the clearest one of this area I've seen and is still pretty inconclusive.

secondly any ideas as to the decking material of the boat deck was as it seems to be moulded as if a linoleium covering with brass strips.

lastly, any known photos of the exterior of the hanger decks at the rear as this area is a bit plain too. Where there any features here such as doors / vents etc?

Any help appreciated, thanks.

[Dan K]

The decking in the boat area was linoleum. Let me research the other points.

[Dan K]

I do not have plans or illustrations that specify the equipment in this are but, if we look at some close-ups of Zuiho and Shoho, we can see the 12.7cm practice mount (most visible in the first photo, where little other equipment has been installed), plus mushroom vents, hawser reels, equipment bins, some hatches, and the like. Much gets covered by tarps.

any known photos of the exterior of the hanger decks at the rear as this area is a bit plain too.

I'm not sure where, exactly, you mean.

[Jonathan]

Thanks Dan, those photos of Zuiho are great and really show the deck area. Practice gun now installed as is a cable reel and some boxes. The area I was referring to in the other question is the vertical bulkhead immediately in front of the boat deck, but having said that now I think I'll just leave this area plain. Now just to try and figure out where the landing light arrays sit.

Thanks again.

[Dan K]

I doubt it's plain. Probably a suspended walkway, some hatches, not sure what else. Maybe these will help a little.

[Jonathan]

Thanks again Dan

One last (hopefully!) question, what's the correct 25mm AA fit for Shoho, the kit suggests 12 x 25mm but most references (including Combined Fleet) seem to suggest 8 x 25mm any ideas which is correct and if it is 8 is it 2 x armoured triple starboard and two open singles port or 4 x twin. Again all plans and photos I can locate are inconclusive.

[Dan K]

Twelve. Four mounts of triples. The two on the starboard side are enclosed, powered turrets.

[Gilbert]

In fact, both armament configurations are correct. It depends on the timeframe:

Shoho's initial armament was four twin 25 mm Type 96 light AA guns, in sponsons along the sides of the hull at the time of her commissionning (30 Nov '41).
(CF website shows her initial armament). That armament was upgraded to the one described by Dan in Apr '42 while she was docked for maintenance at Yokosuka Naval Yard (from 11 Apr to 18 Apr).

Gilbert

[Dan K]

Gilbert is correct. I was thinking in terms of her final fit.

[Jonathan]

Thanks Dan & Gilbert for clarifying. Dan, hope you and yours are ok after Sandy.

I do have another question concerning the masts. Refering to the port side overhead view published previously in this thread with the Ryuho / Shoho comparison plans, whilst confirming the position of the port side landing aids (forward triple 25mm mount) this seems to also show the 4 aft masts lowered whilst the forward port (radio?) mast seems raised. Would this forward mast also be lowered for flight operations or remain vertical throughout for Shoho 1942? I can't locate any Shoho photos showing it lowered (the USN "scratch one flattop" photos are inconclusive) and only two Zuiho photos showing it "lowered", definitely in the famous camo deck sinking photo and possibly in the the sunset flight op port side photo which again is too far away to be certain as to up or down.

Any comments?

[Dan K]

Thx, Jonathan. We're all good. No real hardships compared to many others. Just inconveniences. Things improving daily for most.

One needs an unobstructed flight deck to conduct flight ops. The Zuiho 1944 photo says it all.

[Yng]

I have not found a deck photo of Zuiho/Shoho with enough detail to see rain gutters. Does anyone know if they had them and were they same or similar to the larger carriers?

[Dan K]

Admittedly, there are no great photos of the gutters, but they are the same. Look hard at the lower right hand corner of this photo. It can be enlarged slightly.

[Yng]

Oh, Yeah. Thanks. By the way, Mr. Dan, I have poured through several of the IJN forums here and really appreciate your knowledge, excellent pictures, and your helpful nature.

[Dan K]

Glad to be of help.

I did find a photo with an up close view of Zuiho's rain gutter, but did not have time to scan it. I hope to soon.

[Dan K]

As promised. We are looking at Zuiho's starboard Type 94 HA director on 10-17-1942.

[Yng]

Amazing! It looks a bit narrower than one from Shokaku. Great pic! Thanks.

[Yng]

Did Shoho or Zuiho have degaussing cable? I don't see any in photos of Shoho. I am also curious when and which ships were equipped so, and when or if they stopped using it. For example, would Shokaku have had one in Dec. '41?

[drdoom1337]

Hi gang, I have the Hasegawa Zuiho and it's a pretty crude kit by modern standards. I have almost no IJN PE and I'm wondering if someone could suggest useful sets/aftermarket to bring the Zuiho up to snuff. One thing I'm considering is triangular perforate bar. Anything else? Toms Flyhawk Lionroar?