IJN Musahi Help

Have done the Tam Yam with both WEM and the Lionroar super set. The LR has 3 times the parts + barrels and is quite comprehensive in scope. I found the WEM pe easier to work with however. Depends on your appetite for detail, time and expense. If you're in no hurry and can spare the change, the Lionroar set will not disappoint. 

Thanks everyone for the help!!  I wasn’t really thinking about motorizing it, just curious.  I do think that I am going to give the wooden decks a try as well as get one of the photo etch sets.  I mean after all, my wife can't complain too much since the model was a gift in the first place.   

My name is Dan and I can assure you that if the kit is by Tamiya you have a fine specimen on your hands.The seam problem can be solved with something as simple as white glue applied with several thin coats, with each coat being allowed to dry before applying the next one. Once dry you can sand with very fine sand paper being careful to sand in the same direction as the planks from bow to stern.

This kit really does not seem to have any real weaknesses,but keep in mind the Musashi was built at Nagasaki shipyard and appears to be painted a darker gray than the Yamato built at Kure.Tamiya offers the version of the Musashi as she appeared at the time of her sinking on  October 24,1944 at 7:15 pm, with a slightly different anti- aircraft armanent as her sister.

You can moterize the model but I would advise against it.If moterized you will have to add hull support braces,figure out how to remove the entire aft section on a regular basis to service batteries, moters,etc.This increases the likelyhood of damage to the delicate superstructure and other fine details.

To the Musashi's credit she was better designed and built than Yamato.The Musashi took 19 torpedos in the belly and twenty five bomb hits before the ships defenses were overwhelmed and the damage control teams could do nothing more to save her as she slowly sank into the abyss.

I would consider purchasing extra fittings such as railings and ladders as they turn a great model into a fine showpiece.

Good luck,God bless you and Merry Christmas

Sincerily Yours, Dan 

I built the Musashi a few years ago.  Itwould be a good idea to get the P.E. set.  I think mine was Gold Metal but not sure anymore.  As far as the ecks are concerned there might be a set of wooden decks availablebut they will probably cost around 70.00.  I have the Mikasa and would like to get the brass barrels as well as the wood decks and PE sets.

Whichever way you decide to go, remember take your time and if possible, add the antennas.

The Musashi and the Yamato are quite good kits that do show their age in having bare bulkheads.  There are also significant differences between the ships, notably in the AA armament.  Any PE set will help, whether it is GMM, Tom's, Eduard, etc.  I prefer the Lionroar set, which also adds brass gun barrels.  That set includes many details the others don't.  The downside is the cost (over $100.00!)

One trick I took from Mike Ashey's books for the deck seams is to place masking tape as close as possible on either side of the seam and sand them down. This technique will preserve as much deck detail as possible.

Good luck with this foray into the wonderful world of ship modelling!

Bill Morrison

I have not built this kit, but as far as PE goes, if you get the GMM PE, it will fit precisely and the installation instructions will be first rate.