For the IJN Cruiser fans...

Cool deal! Lookin' forward to seeing pics. I know what you mean, after several years of modeling autos, I too have the fever to do some ships. I haven't any Japanese ships right now, but I would love to find another 1/700 Nagato.

I'm taking medicine for the fever though:
http://www.finescale.com/fsm/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=19804

Great deal Jeff! I've always wondered why the only "pagoda" BB's were in 1/700 or expensive resin in the larger scales, you would think the "major" jap companies would be all over it as these ships (and the cruisers too) are unique looking. Ah, well.....
Now that the Seattle IPMS show is over and my wife has me deep into the "honeydew" list (why does that sound so much like "honeybucket" to guys?) including a clean up and painting of our craft area, it's time for research. Heller's Adm. Scheer is next up and I'm wondering if they used any camo patterns, like Tirpitz etc. ? Know any websites? I'm looking foreward to your IJN cruiser builds 1/500 is a little bigger and gives a bit more detailing room. Now if I could only find a 1/350 Omaha class cruiser!
Keep us informed.......... G.L.

Well I for one would like more IJN scale ships, but I would probably have to scratch them at 1/144.

Someone queried about this company on another board, and I was wondering if any one had here had heard of them, or had any experiences with their kits.

http://www.aero-naut.de/aeronaut/en/allg/schiffnav.htm

http://www.model-dockyard.com/aeronaut/kits.asp

They look pretty nice.

They're typical 1970s era releases...there's lots of room for improvements, and if you can look beyond the molded on railings (they kinda remind me of those triangular concrete highway barriers), there's potential in these ships.

I've always been a fan of IJN cruisers, very unique but at the same time very attractive ships. Trouble is, aside from my IJN tone in 1/350, and Furutaka in 350 from BWN, there's NOTHING else out there...

Jeff

Umi,

I've never heard of these Aero-Naut kits, but for 270 pounds Stirling, I'd rather scratchbuild!!

J

Heres some questions for the IJN navy fans.

So when is a resin kit considered good, or bad for that matter?

What is typical cost of the kits currently available?
Is it a fair cost, or would more be sold if they were cheaper?

What are your expectations in a "good" kit?

What would you would be on your top ten list of IJN ships, and in what scale(s)?

Do "you" have plans availble for any of those ships, and is there enough detail to build a model from the plans.

Is there a market for any ships in your list beyond your personal collection?

Aimee

So when is a resin kit considered good, or bad for that matter?

Quality of kits is largely based on the accuracy of the model itself, how well it's engineered, and the casting quality of the parts. I hear complaints about those items, but I rarely hear complaints about how the parts fit. I think this is primarily because most of the modelers that build resin are more experienced than our injection-molded brethren (or sistren).

What is typical cost of the kits currently available?

In 1/350 scale there are 5 available that I know of...and some of those are now out of production. There's a Kirishima from Classic Warships that retails for about $300, there's Furutaka from BWN (now Yankee Modelworks) that was in the $180 range, and a Kagero and Akizuki Class DD from the same company, listed between $100 and $120. After that, Minekaze has IJN Tone for a mere $450. Obviously, there's a slew of kits in 1/700 scale, some in 1/500, 1/450, and a few in 1/200. These are all Japanese releases from the 1960s and 1970s, so their technology is dated.

Is it a fair cost, or would more be sold if they were cheaper? With the exception of Tone coming in at $450, yes, the prices are right in line with other resin producers. More would be sold if they were cheaper, yes, but the profit margins would be reduced to the point that the individuals casting these kits would be doing for free.

What are your expectations in a "good" kit? Accuracy, detail, and fit.

What would you would be on your top ten list of IJN ships, and in what scale(s)?

Takao - 1/350
Chokai - 1/350
Nachi - 1/350
Maya - 1/350
Myoko - 1/350
Hatsuharu DD - 1/350

Any of the carriers, Kaga, Akagi, Hiryu, Soryu, Shokaku, Zuikaku, Taiho, Katsuragi, Amagi, even Shinano.

Do "you" have plans availble for any of those ships, and is there enough detail to build a model from the plans.

With the Fuij-Art plans available, the possibilities are endless... Ihave about 12 sets of plans, mostly cruisers...and I'm in hte middle of scratchbuilding Takao at present. After that, Mutsu, maybe Ise.

Is there a market for any ships in your list beyond your personal collection? There's a market for everything...

Jeff

Wow, Jeff,...

I think you are "the" IJN fan boy here.
I will copy and paste this list and comments and keep it in mind for a time when I get bored of some of my other projects. (Unless you are intested in building some masters and working out some kind of deal)

Umi

I just ordered the 1/500 Maya myself. It's on it's way from Internet Hobbies. Looking forward to getting some tips from you when you start construction.

Ted

I just ordered the 1/500 Maya myself. It's on it's way from Internet Hobbies. Looking forward to getting some tips from you when you start construction.

Ted

I just ordered the 1/500 Maya myself. It's on it's way from Internet Hobbies. Looking forward to getting some tips from you when you start construction.

Ted

That's a great haul, Jeff. I think I've finally found someone whose VISA card is in worse shape than mine!

Looking forward to seeing pictures of these!
Paul

I may be a bit out of the loop, but I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about ICM supposedly having 1:350 japanese cruisers. I remember hearing about them a while ago, but having just picked up their model of the Konig my interest has been renewed by the quality in my new kit. Thanks for the info.

I just received my Tom's Modelworks PE for these ships, so I start work this weekend...I'm fully back into 'SHIP MODE' again, after a brief stint of doing aircraft, mostly in 1/44 scale.

Aimee, we need to talk...if you can cast and produce, I can master. If we decide to team up on this project, we have to start out simple, maybe a DD or something in 1/350? There's an open market on IJN stuff in that scale, for some reason, no one seems to have an interest in doing them...even the Japanese companies themselves!

Jeff