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Japanese Group Build X

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  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Sunday, February 21, 2021 10:51 AM
Finding any pictures of the Ho-Ni is rather difficult. The only ones I’ve found are five photos of one captured by the U.S 37th Infantry Division in Luzon, Philippines. It’s also the same one that was displayed at Aberdeen. Apart from the five photos I’ve found I haven’t come across anymore.
 
 
I’ve come across one source suggesting the first use was during the retreat in Burma in 1944/1945. However I’m not sure if that is accurate at all. As stated in my previous post they were supposedly used in China I haven’t found any evidence yet suggesting so. If anything it seems they might have been deployed in Manchuria as that is where the 2nd Tank Division was stationed prior to parts of the division being transferred to the Kuriles, China and the Philippines. Supposedly fourteen Ho-Ni’s were sent to the Philippines and only six made it as the others were lost en route when the convoys were attacked by U.S aircraft.
 
 
Because of the lack of photos and conflicting information I’ve decided to stick with painting and marking my model for a the 2nd Division in the Philippines.

 
Tamiya does include decals for the 2nd Tank Division in the box. On the photo of the Ho-Ni you can see a white circle marking (not sure if it has a name) on the gun shield on the Tamiya decals they have a blue square inside the circle. I’ve zoomed into the photo and adjusted the lighting and don’t think the blue square should be there.   
  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Saturday, February 20, 2021 7:39 PM

Thanks GS. I had that kit a while back and sold it. I wish I had the kits I sold back Angry

There's not a lot a photos on Japanese subjects unfortunately. Most of them were destroyed right after the war. Short sighted,  but I guess it's not my place to judge. Finding pictures of the Akagi is difficult as There's just not that many. 

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Saturday, February 20, 2021 7:14 PM

Thank you, GreySnake.

Cool to see a vehicle join the party.

 

Regards,

Jack

  • Member since
    February 2011
Posted by GreySnake on Saturday, February 20, 2021 1:34 PM
PJ, the Zero came out fantastic.
 
 
Gamera, the 109 is looking good.
 
 
Steve, amazing work as usual.
 
 
Jack, the little Zero looks very nice the extra details.
 
 
I’m afraid I need the remove the Ki-84 from the build. I ruined the paintjob with Testors glosscote probably due to user error. The model is salvageable however I’ve been in a model building slump and I’m not interested in redoing it right now.
 
 
On to my other entry the Tamiya 1/35 Type 1 SPG Ho-Ni.

There’s not a lot in the box. For a kit first made over forty years ago the detail is quite good. The molds for the kit are starting to show their age the road wheels have very prominent seams and there is a lot of flash on some parts.
 
Due to the seams on the road wheels cleanup took a lot longer than usual. This doesn’t look like a lot of work however this took almost an hour and a half.
 
The model comes with a very basic interior since the fighting compartment is open. It’s just enough to give you the idea that it is there. I spent a fair amount of time trying to figure out what colour the inside should be and came up empty handed. In the end I went with the base colour for Japanese tanks from 1942 onwards Kusa Iro (Grass Green? ) using Tamiya XF-13 IJA.
 
Here is the interior after a little detail painting and weathering. The driver’s seat does have noticeable pin mark however you won’t be able to see it with the top glued on.
 
Finding information much information on Ho-Ni at least in English is pretty hard along with conflicting information. I finally ended up translating some Japanese websites and finding out a little more. It seems only fifty were built and there are hardly any photos available which makes figuring out markings hard. From what I gather they were used in Burma, China and the Philippines. I’m probably going to mark my model for the the 2nd Tank Division stationed in the Philippines since there are a few pictures of a Ho-Ni of that division captured by US soldiers.   
  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Friday, February 19, 2021 11:15 AM

Thanks Gam.

I installed the wood deck and painted the stripes on the stern. I need to touch them up.

I also experimented with some stain and weathering using oils. My goal is this, the only pictures I found of the Akagi's deck, and they're colorized.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 11:16 AM

Steve: All that latticework is simply insane, love it! 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 12:07 PM

Thanks Robert.

I spent a lot of time on the Akagi this weekend, mostly on the stern area. All of the bracing wire, plaforms, railing and most of the long ladders are attached. I cleaned up ather areas and repaired others. I have the casemate guns to attach then on to the deck I think. After the deck and island there is still much more to do to the hull such as the side boats, folding antennas and asundry other things that stick out as well as ropes and such draped here and there.

I ordered Infani's IJN ladder B set which have those long 20 meter ladders that stretch well over the water and assend to the tubs on the deck. Not me brother!

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Sunday, February 14, 2021 5:30 PM

Robert: Sure, just swapped you out!

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Nashotah, WI
Posted by Glamdring on Friday, February 12, 2021 9:48 PM

Wow, that carrier is superb!  I echo the sentiment that I could look at those pictures all day.

Gamera - Mind if I swap out the Tenyu build for something else?  I am feeling a little PE'd out after my War in the Desert build, and going straight to a 1/700 ship with even more seems like an exercise in pain!

I recently picked up a 1/35 AFV Club M155 Howitzer, which has an option for JGSDF gun.  Naturally that is the scheme I will be going with!  

Robert 

"I can't get ahead no matter how hard I try, I'm gettin' really good at barely gettin' by"

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, February 11, 2021 12:26 PM

It actually stayed up quite long considering the damage that was caused by the armement and fires on board. They had to scuttle her and she still took a few.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Thursday, February 11, 2021 11:50 AM

The Akagi looks monstrous good.  Almost seems a shame to sink her!

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Thursday, February 11, 2021 11:34 AM

She looks fantastic to me! 

And the photo looks fine. I went over to using my cell phone camera for everything years ago when I noticed it takes much higher resolution photos than my camera. I should dig my camera out soon and blow the dust off it... Tongue Tied

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Thursday, February 11, 2021 8:56 AM

Thanks Gam. I went over the kit with a fine tooth comb and removed any offending mars and paint splats, filled little holes and such. It looks better close up but I still have some areas that need work.

I received my .01 dia sprue the other day and started attaching the cross bracing.

I had to remove the aft railing so I could manipulate the tweezers. Jeez my camera takes gawd awful pictures. Or maybe it's the lighting.

I need to complete one more stinger here, then there are inter wires between the two stringer sets (vibration dampeners?). I'll have four more to do after that.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 11:58 AM

That looks amazing to me Steve. Yes, I can see a few little issues here and there but it's still amazing. 

I think we're our own worst critics- you look at the Akagi and see all the stuff you screwed up. I look at her and think 'gee friggin' whiz that's a kajillion times better than anything I could have done...'

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 8:58 AM

OK Cliff. I hope this makes you feel better.

I noticed that closer you take a picture of something, the more work it needs. So with that said I can see several areas that need attention. Portholes, bar ladders, general clean up. The camera is a harsh critic. Things you don't see through the magnifying glass pops right out in a close up picture. A lot of that rust on the bow will go away. I was experimenting using a diffrent technique with oils

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 3:09 PM

LOL, I'll take some close ups, but remember I still have MUCH to do, even to the areas that seem complete.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 1:52 PM

Thanks guys! Though what I went though is nothing compared to your lung transplant Steve!!! I didn't even get an infection like Mawright! 

In any case the Akagi looks amazing Steve. If you put up a bigger photo I swear I could stare at her all day. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 12:24 PM

Glad to hear you are on the mend, Cliff.

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 10:46 AM

Thanks Gam. I feel so bad for you and hope you get through this horror quickly.

Here's an Update

All the decks are on , now comes the additional work of painting the red antifouling, reairing the damaged railing, adding the side boats with tie downs, AA guns, island, wood deck, stern girder bracing, splinter roaps, ETC. ETC. And of course, more paint. Lots and lots still to do in what?? 189 days to pack it up?. I figure I'll get completly done with it, seascape and all, before I add the planes and crew (except the crew in the island). They are additions to the finished build anyway.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, February 9, 2021 9:39 AM

Looks great Steve! Museum quality for sure- thanks for letting us follow along. 

 

And thanks guys, hope I'm back now. I passed the friggin' stone Friday, chugged a gallon of cranberry juice over two days and it seemed to melt the stone. Or any case I peed out a bunch of sludge and seem okay now. My digestion is still really messed up though, didn't eat much over a week and couldn't keep that down. In any case no complaint- I'll take diarreha over piercing constant abdominal pain any day. 

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Wednesday, February 3, 2021 10:10 AM

I completed the work on the port side mid deck, and dry fix it to the hull. I had to do quite a bit of adjustment and modification, especially to the pillars in this section. The tolarences are so tight the it's almost impossible to align them. After some adjusting and slight modification (trimming), I believe I have it where the deck sits as it should. Now I need to go back as add some of the areas I removed to make it look uniform and clean and obligatory repair of surrounding delicate parts. Oddly enough, the items I scratch built fit perfectly. Also, as a whole, there's too much to look at to focus in an just one area, kinda like looking at the Grand Canyon

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Colorado Springs
Posted by mawright20 on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 9:38 PM
Best wishes to you. Have had two, and both put me in the hospital. Last one caused the upline kidney to become infected. Never experienced that level of pain and hope to never again.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 7:43 PM

Good luck, Cliff!

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 6:49 PM

Oh I'm sorry Cliff, I understand they are very painfull Tongue Tied. I hope you pass it quickly.

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    November 2009
  • From: SW Virginia
Posted by Gamera on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 6:44 PM

Those look great guys!!! Please keep up the good work.

 

I'm sorry I haven't been around, been suffereing from a kidney stone since Sat. Hopefully I'll pass this somehow and be back before much longer... Dead

"I dream in fire but work in clay." -Arthur Machen

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Sunday, January 31, 2021 12:12 PM

Thanks Jack, John and G!

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • From: Honolulu, Hawaii
Posted by Real G on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:53 PM

WOW.  Indifferent

“Ya ya ya, unicorn papoi!”

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Northern California
Posted by jeaton01 on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:47 PM

Yup, Amazing!

John

To see build logs for my models:  http://goldeneramodel.com/mymodels/mymodels.html

 

  • Member since
    April 2006
  • From: ON, Canada
Posted by jgeratic on Saturday, January 30, 2021 8:06 PM

Dude!  Amazing detail there Steve - keep up the awesome work!

 

regards,

Jack

 

  • Member since
    July 2014
Posted by modelcrazy on Saturday, January 30, 2021 6:45 PM

Wow, Jack, those are Sweet! See what I did there?

Thanks Gam

I completed the boats, sampans and cutters, attcahcd them to the deck and FINALLY attached the stern deck to the hull. Now I need to add the cross bracingthen move onto the mid deck. With the close up pics, it looks like there's a few little touch-ups here and there

Steve

Building a kit from your stash is like cutting a head off a Hydra, two more take it's place.

 

 

http://www.spamodeler.com/forum/

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