Calling all Japanese Army submarine fans

[Tim Reynaga]

Hi guys,
I just received a copy of Fujimi's new 1/350 scale YU-1 (Maru-Yu type 1) Imperial Japanese Army submarine. Here are some impressions:
This rare Imperial Japanese Army (yes, Army!) transport submarine is an unusual choice for Fujimi�s first foray into 1/350 scale, but they have done a nice job with it. The kit is identical to the similar YU-1001 class sub (kit No.15) with conning towers and different propellers for both types included. The kit also includes a separate bonus sprue with a tiny 2 � inch long full hull 1/700 YU-1 sub model (with alternate YU-1001 parts). Despite its diminutive 4 � inch length, the 1/350 model has a number of fun features including a rudimentary interior and optional clear plastic hull parts to show it off. For a more conventional build the model offers the option to leave off the rectangular cargo compartment covers on the deck, revealing the round hatches on the casing below, which in turn can be left open for a view of the interior cargo bays. Pretty cool. Another plus is the inclusion of a small photoetched steel fret with deck safety rails, dive plane guard rails, ladders, helm, and a few interior details. A decal sheet with Japanese national markings for the conning towers for both models is also provided. Surface detailing is good, with sharply defined drainage vents, deck hardware, and discreet raised planking on the deck. Small parts are mixed: the binnacle, periscope, and helm provided for the open conning tower on the 1/350 sub are excellent, and the dive planes, rudder, and four blade propeller are convincingly shaped (if just a bit thick). The 37mm deck gun, however, is simplified. Parts fit together smoothly and both models assemble quickly into attractive, nicely detailed little submarines.
Good as these kits are, Fujimi didn�t get everything exactly right. Despite the very limited information available on these obscure craft, I was able to find some clear photos of a captured example after a simple �YU-1 army� search on Google http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08455.htm. These reveal that the shapes of the drainage vents on the model are mostly correct, but there aren�t enough of them (at least for YU-3, but I suppose there could have been variations within the class). They also show that the kit ballast tanks and deck edges fore and aft are too squared off, deck hardware is not altogether accurate, and the bow anchor and small cargo handling derricks (both depicted on the box art) are missing. Still, these are minor discrepancies. Overall outlines and dimensions match available information very well, and the completed subs look right. Besides, where else are you gonna find Japanese Army submarines for your collection!

[D-Boy]

Thanks for posting initial impressions of this kit - I'd be interested in your build notes as you procede. I was not aware of some of the features of this model until you posted.

[Tim Reynaga]

Thanks for posting initial impressions of this kit - I'd be interested in your build notes as you procede. I was not aware of some of the features of this model until you posted.

Hi D-Boy,
I�ve actually completed the build of the 1/700 scale Maru-Yu. At 2 � inches in length it is pretty small, and is of course it is simplified compared to the 1/350 kit in the same box. Still, it is a decent kit in its own right, and I figured it would be a nice warm up for the �big� 4 � inch long 1/350 scale supply sub.
Having decided to display it surfaced on a sea base, I began by waterlining the tiny full hull. As with the 1/350 version, the hull is molded in two parts split at the keel with a separate deck. Most of the kit parts (dive planes, rudder, propeller, stand) are below the waterline, so I ended up using only the hull and conning tower�a total of only four kit parts! I replaced the kit deck with Evergreen grooved plastic sheet, which replicates the sub�s spaced decking more effectively than the faint raised lines on the kit part. This smaller scale model lacks the interior detail of its 1/350 brother, but I opened up the casing to show the round hatches of the cargo bays. I also added mooring bitts and a few other small items. With a model this tiny, you don�t need to add much! Other details added after painting were fabricated either from photoetch or wire.





A fun side note on these subs was their color. Imperial Japanese vessels were mostly notoriously boring variants of gray...but apparently some of these Army subs were painted up in khaki. According to Warship International,

�About 1935, CL Naka and several of the later Fubuki Class destroyers were painted olive for test purposes. Even though called olive, it was almost exactly like the brown used by the Army for its vehicles. The paint system was not popular, and not judged to be very effective, and soon disappeared... During the Pacific War, at least some of the Army transport submarines (Yu Class) were painted a khaki color� (Linton Wells II, Painting Systems of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1904-1945 in Warship International Vol. IX, No. 1).

My version of Japanese Army brown-khaki was a mix of Model Master military brown (FS30117) and olive drab (FS34087). Along with those bright hinomarus on the conning tower, the unusual color makes the little sub a bit more visually interesting.



regards,
Tim

[BCBilly]

Very Nice Tim ! Thank you.

[MartinJQuinn]

Nicely done, Tim. Thanks for the info too. I've got the 1/350 version of the sub started, and the question of color was one that had me stumped.

[Quaestor]

Tim, I am VERY glad to find your thread because just a few minutes ago I scored the 1/700th kit, only, on eBay.
I will waterline it, as you did; your build notes will help a lot.
Harold

[Hen]

Tim, I am VERY glad to find your thread because just a few minutes ago I scored the 1/700th kit, only, on eBay.
I will waterline it, as you did; your build notes will help a lot.
Harold

I was watching that one, too but I already have two of the 1/700 Maru-YUs to do both versions

[Quaestor]

I was watching that one, too but I already have two of the 1/700 Maru-YUs to do both versions

Hee-hee. Small world, eh Hen?

[Hen]

I was watching that one, too but I already have two of the 1/700 Maru-YUs to do both versions

Hee-hee. Small world, eh Hen?

At least when it comes to exotic Japanese ship models

[D-Boy]

Fujimi is releasing a strictly 1:700 boxing of YU-1 (Maru-Yu Type 1), along with re-pops (or new tooling?) of I-19 and I-46: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10284329

[Hen]

Looks interesting, but the big subs in this set must be re-pops. They are the old I-15 & I-46 judging from the instructions. Shame on Fujimi