Calling All IJN Kongo-Class Fans

[Jon]

I've seen it said that all IJN WWII ships have natural metal propeller shafts. So is that correct? Instructions state paint steel, but don't always I trust the instructions.

Working on Fujimi 1/350 Kongo w/ Flyhawk and really enjoying the build.

[Dan K]

Yes to natural metal finish. I could swear we just went thru this on another thread.

[Jon]

Yes on another thread, I read it before posting here. It wasn't definitive, it was more generic regarding IJN.

Thanks for the response Dan K.

[Dan K]

It's always nice to hear about an enjoyable build.

[Felix C]

Have two Haruna kits. What other Kongo class can be built from a Haruna.
Level of detail is not intense. Fairly straightforward build with PE here and there.
Scale is 1/450.

Did not Kongo and Haruna have the same turret types which were different from Kirishima and Hiei?

The only actual difference in 1941 being the superstructure aft of the second funnel? Maybe casement guns?

[Dan K]

Yes, Kongo and Haruna had the same shape to their turrets. But, Haruna's bridge tower is taller than all the others until a refit in late 1944. There are other differences in searchlight platforms, also the rear structure IIRC. I can post some bridge perspectives for now. All from Gakken

[Felix C]

Understood but you know the Fujimi 1/450 kits- simplistic old school type.

[Dan K]

Hey, it's your model, Felix. I'm just trying to answer your questions.

Maybe go with a '44 then? Not sure where I got the profile view. Simplistic, but effective.

[Felix C]

Thanks. I have the Gakken books and will see what can be done.

[Jack G]

Does anyone know why the range finders on the top of the pagoda mast, or even the upper portion of the pagoda, was painted white? I have pictures of Kongo and Hiei with white tops, timeframe is perhaps coming out of final modernisation. The beautiful 1/300 Hiei model pictured on this thread has part of the pagoda top in white.

Is it likely the the class would have had the white tops when fighting at Guadacanal? Did the class commence hostilities with the white tops? Any idea of the timeframe that these were on the ships?

[Dan K]

For identification purposes, particularly at night. It was discontinued at some point in late 1943.

[Caravellarella]

http://www.roposmodels.cz/pripravujeme/

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Sebastien Lausdat]

Hello
One of my projects is to build the battleship Hiei to 1/350 (v Guadalcanal).
What could I use model which is correct in dimensions and shape (hull & main turret)?
Kirishima? Haruna? Kongo?
Fujimi Aoshima or?
In advance, thank you.
Cheers
Seb

[Dan K]

Hiei had the same, angular plating on its turrets as did Kongo. Of the two Kongo kits out there, Aoshima's has the correct casemates, and does not require correction. I'm not sure if that kit has late war scuttles on its hull; if so, those will have to be drilled out. It probably does. The Fujimi version certainly has the late war scuttles.

Keep in mind that Hiei's hull was bulged wider at the waterline with a wider torpedo blister so, that will have to be built out. And, of course, there is the new bridge. Good luck. I would love to see a W-I-P thread on this build.

[Sebastien Lausdat]

Hello Dan
Thank you for your answer.
For torpedo blister, it's not a problem for me, I have plans from Myukikai and the book from Profile Morskie.
Now I have to find the model of Aoshima at a good price.
W-I-P? Why not ? But Hiei will not only. There will be I-400, Yukikaze, Takao, Akagi, Kaga, Yamato and Musashi.
Cheers
Seb

[Dan K]

I want to draw everybody's attention to a poll/inquiry posted in the Books and Reference section by Ed Low on a possible digital reference book on Kirishima, based on some truly excellent research and 3D renderings by Ed and Sander Kingsepp, both knowledgeable IJN researchers who contribute mightily to the IJN ship board at J-aircraft.com and the CombinedFleet/Nihon Kaigun website.

Have a look: viewtopic.php?f=6&t=161273 and follow the link there to the current digital project on Kirishima. Don't forget the poll!

[Jon C Ryckert]

Would anyone happen to know if the 25mm singles on the Kongo in 1944 were permanently mounted to the deck or were they the portable type with the steel plate? The steel plate being like the type that was used on the Yamato. I have the 1/350 kit by Fujimi and they are in the fixed position as opposed to being on the portable plate as shown in the Kagero book. Or is this anyone's guess. Thanks

[Dan K]

I don't know for certain, but it would certainly seem more likely that they'd be portable, particularly for those on the wood planked main deck.

[MatthewB]

Could someone describe to me what on EARTH is wrong with the Casemates?

I get it.... The Fujimi 1/700 Kong?-class ships got the casemates "wrong."

But I, for the life of me, cannot tell exactly what is wrong with them.

This is going to turn out to be like the flag yardarms on my Fujimi PE set for the Hiei. It is staring me right in the face, but I can't see it until someone points it out.

Good thing it isn't a poisonous snake.

MB

[Jon C Ryckert]

Without seeing the 1/700 version, I can only guess that it is the same problem that is present on the 1/350 kit that I have. The issue is that the walls/bulkheads that are forward and aft of the casements should be 90% vertical and not with the downward slant away from the casements. If I have confused you, please take a look at a review of the 1/350 Aoshima kit which is more or less correct. You should be able to find a review I believe by doing a search of this website or have Google be your friend. Hope this was of some help to you.