Does anybody have reference pictures for the I-20?

This is the only one that I could find online. It is the I-16, a C-1 class like the I-20.

Aww. I thought the I-20 was the type with the seaplane +hanger infront of the conning tower and the deck gun aft.

You know like the Nichimo 1/200 I-19. So it will look like the I-53 type? 

Felix C. wrote:

Aww. I thought the I-20 was the type with the seapland +hanger infront of the conning tower and the deck gun aft.

Tamiya has a I-400 that fits the description above.  

 I have the Aurora I-Boat which is about 1/333 and again 1/200 Nichimo. But 1/72 is impressive.

Fairseas wrote:

I-20 was a C1 type attack boat but you are interested in building a B1 type scout boat. Read the last page of the locked "What happened to the I-53 thread" & look for the list of I-boats that could have been built had Lindberg come out with an accurate C3 model.

Fairseas wrote there:

* B1: I-19, I-26, I-27, I-30, I-36 scout aircraft / midget / kaiten carriers - this type had far more historical value to modelers due to West Coast attacks in late '41, Sydney Harbor attack May '42 plus overall success in the war. I-19 holds the record for most success with a single salvo sinking the carrier Wasp, a DD & damaging North Carolina. I-26 sank the cruiser Juneau & damaged Saratoga. I-27 was one of the B1 midget carriers that attacked Sydney Harbor 31 May '42. I-30 made the first voyage to occupied France in '42. I-36 was the first kaiten carrier & survived the war.

* B2: I-41, I-44 scout aircraft / midget / kaiten carriers - I-41 damaged USS Reno Nov '44; I-44 was converted into a Kaitan carrier & sunk April '45.

* B3/4: I-58 aircraft / kaiten carriers - I-58 was originally a scout aircraft carrier & converted for Kaiten duty late '44; sank USS Indianapolis & survived the war.

* C1: I-20, I-22, I-24 midget carriers - All participated in Pearl Harbor attack; I-22 & I-24 attacked Sydney. I-24 has the dubious honor of having one of its midget sub crew become the first Japanese POW of WW2 when Ensign Sakamaki ran HA-19 aground & was washed ashore unconscious on Waimanalo Beach. His crewman shot himself after their self-destruct charges failed to detonate.

* C2: I-47 attack / kaiten carrier - I-47 partook in the first Kaitan operation along with I-36 & survived the war.

* C3: I-52, I-53 attack / kaiten carrier - I-52 in her original configuration was sunk off Cape Verde June '44 loaded with gold & Germans, & would have made an interesting subject. I-53, of course, survived the war & was the only kaiten carrier to sink a warship, DE USS Underhill.

 Just an update. I was informed from Linberg via email, the 1/72 Linberg I-20 will not be out until 'first quarter 2011'.

 I will have to wait another year. Why though, did they make the announcements for their two 1/72 IJN subs almost 3 years ago. By the time the I-20 shows next year, it will be almost 4 years since they announced it. That is insane.

Maybe they're trying to get this one right?

Fairseas

The best thing you've got going is that Lindberg hasn't yet cut their tooling for the I-20 so there's hope still for those who'd like to see an accurate model sometime in 2010. The prototype appears to be 75% correct when compared to the photos & drawings I've seen.

Close only counts in horse shoes, hand grenades and dancing!

 I certainly hope they do the I-20 right. The I-53 was a huge disapointment in just the lack of the correct hull shape. I don't mind scratchbuilding some parts, but why spend the money for something so off? It'd be easier to start from scratch. I'm glad I passed on it. I've been itching for a solid quality IJN subject, and I like the early IJN stuff a little more.

Can this be the beginning of another "I-53 Thread" before the thing has even be released?? Stay tuned sports fans.

Well, another update. Rumor has it Lindberg is in trouble and 'all production and product development has been suspended.'

So I guess the I-20 may not surface .

Is there anybody who makes good IJN subs in 1/72 other than Fine Molds?

From what searching I can do via the net, there is no one else planning any 1/72 IJN 'large' submarines for now.