1st Model in 40 yrs - 1/350 Yamato

Firedeck,

I meant your insight into the Lionroar set, but the overall quality of your work qualifies you as somewhat of an expert!  You did answer my question.  If I buy two sets (one for each ship), I will have enough singles to cover the differences in AA armament. The lack of Type 22 radars would have to be addressed, and I have never seen a photo of those depth charge racks; I wouldn't know how or where to place them if I took them from a Yukikaze set.

I do have both Tamiya kits and am planning a build of Musashi soon.  It looks like I have some research to do, but detail photos are so scarce, I may never find an answer to that particular question.

Bill Morrison

Hi Bill,

I like to think of those "unanswered questions" as licence to use one's best judgement without fear of hurting anybody's feelings. :)  The actual deck color on Yamato/Musashi being a decent example for instance. From what I can tell, its almost impossible to tell fer sure from the few surviving pics what the actual color of the teak decks were at various times after installation, so...if i prefer a brown wood tone versus a grayed out wood tone, than thats the way it'll be and nobody should be pist  :)

Its not like we have any other real choice now is it? :)  With no actual pics of the DC racks on Musashi, you do your best to represent the item as best you figure I'd say...and there wont be many folks giving you a hard time about it either :)

I hope you will do a build log of your Musashi when you start...there will be more than one interested observer I'm sure. -Tim

Tim,

The interesting thing about the coloration of IJN warships is that each shipyard had its own shades which are fairly well documented.  But there is a lot of room for interpretation.  For example, you brought up the color of Yamato's and Musashi's teak decks. Interestingly, for the Leyte operation, they were stained with black splotches from funnel soot.  As for Musashi's depth charge racks, I will try to narrow it down before I make a SWAG.  I do know that several of Japan's heavy cruisers carried them at one time or another.  Perhaps I can get some indication from them as well as from their DD's.  But, she is next on my list . . . I ordered one Lionroar set this morning based on your work.  I will order the second for Yamato later, and use the spare single 25 mm mounts.

Bill

P.S.  I just ordered one more of each, the Yamato and Musashi.  I am considering using them to convert one to the original configuration, with the 6.1 inch beam turrets.

Amazing work, and thanks for sharing! When the PR set came out, rumor had it the Mushashi set would follow... great project!

you can get individual radar sets from Lion Roar, Flyhawks, etc. LuckyModel has them very cheap and usually free Airmail.  I *think* this one has the type 22?:

http://www.luckymodel.com/scale.aspx?item_no=LR%20E350022

I also want to recommend Gator Grip acrylic water-based glue. Slow setting, allows you to move and position the PE parts; any excess can be wiped off with a damp brush. Dries clear; I use it for all my PE (and small part) work:

One of many reviews:

http://www.missing-lynx.com/reviews/other/gatorgluereviewsk_1.html

get it here:

http://www.gatorsmask.com/gatorglueorder.html

Interesting JMart...I use only Gator, how'd ya know?

I have seen just about all IJN radars are avail from aftermarket ...except type 22.

Bill,  found a pic of your aforementioned depth charge racks:

they look REALLY nice, but I am interested in where you are thinking of placing them.

I should have a couple new pics of my build as I start painting this week. Cheers. 

Holy Cow!!!  What have you been DOING these past 40 years?!  Can you answer one for me, how do you glue your PE together without either gluing your work to your tweezers or leaving a trace of glue on the surface of the plastic or the PE  I've been trying for years but I'm not that good!

Pavlvs - One word (well TWO ;) = Gator's glue

check the links couple messages up... the stuff dries clear, you can wipe out excess with water and a brush, no need to keep debonder at hand to un-CA your fingers.

Look forward to the news pics 

Firedeck,

I don't have a firm answer for you yet about the placement of the depth charge racks. Logic dictates that they be placed as in the picture you provided; we all know that service modifications do not always go according to logic.  I am still trying to find some reference that indicates the placement of the racks, although I doubt that there are any photos of them on Musashi.

Anyway, I have begun modifying one kit of Musashi to her "as built" configuration by taking the 'midships deck section and cutting out the later AA positions. Basically, I used a scroll saw to cut out the entire deck section to be modified.  I am hoping to correct my camera situation to enable me to post pics.

Bill

Always on my bench...a PE modelers best friend:

Where do you get that glue?

Bill

I bought 4 bottles when it first came out. Here is the new packaging:

http://store.thewarshop.com/Gator-Glue/M/B003COIPRQ.htm

Gator's Glue is made by Kenny Loup, here is his main web page (he also sells ship camo masks):

http://www.gatorsmask.com/index.html

http://www.gatorsmask.com/gatorglueorder.html

Gentlemen,

Thanks! I will give it a try.

Bill

It almost seems a shame to paint all that beautiful brass work. I said ALMOST.

I really like checking up on this build and seeing the updates.

Your PE work is simply amazing...   I love those main guns

warshipguy

P.S.  I just ordered one more of each, the Yamato and Musashi.  I am considering using them to convert one to the original configuration, with the 6.1 inch beam turrets.

Hey Bill...found a link comparing Musashi and Yamato at various stages. It seems this guy concentrated on the differences in superstructure, AA, etc...:

http://www.buildingtheship.com/2011/02/24/yamato-and-musashi-armament-arrangements-1941-1945/

Firedeck,

Thanks!  These are very interesting diagrams indeed!  I will put them to good use; unfortunately, they don't show the location and positions of the depth charge racks added to Musashi.  But, I won't need them in my conversion; I will need to find them when I build Musashi post-1943.

Have you made any progress on Yamato? I would love to see more pics of your fantastic build!

Bill

Hi Bill...I am finishing the Yamato over the next two weeks. Despite this being my first model, I want to enter it in the local show on the 28th, so there's lots to be done (paint, deck railings, final assembly and rigging). Will post some pics this week...wish me luck! 

From what we have all seen of your Yamato, you will not need luck; the other contestants will! 

Bill

can't wait to see finished!

Hi guys! Some update pics...sub-assemblies painted, wood deck added:

As always...comments and suggestions welcome. Cheers!

Allow me to restate my last post . . . You will not need luck; the other contestants will!

Bill

This is just unbelievable workmanship.

continueing to be amazed

absolutely Yamato!

Want to see main turrets

As always...comments and suggestions most welcome! Thank-you for viewing my post.[/quote

Absolutely inspiring.  These pics make me unable to wait to get started on my 1/200 Arizona.  I will try to do as well as this but I don't think I am up to your standard.  Please don't wait another 40 years before the next one.  I don't even think the guys at Tamiya envisioned such a beautiful result from their kit. 

One suggestion: when you photograph your model, use a slower focal ratio such as f/22 and either a flash or a longer exposure and a tripod.  This will get the whole picture in focus and with workmanship as amazing as yours, you will not want to miss any of it.

What do you intend to build next?

p.s., what award did you win?  I could not make out the medal in the picture.  If it was not Best In Show, then you associate with amazing fellow modelers or there is no justice!

Thank you!

no... got silver for my entry; it was @CAMS show this past weekend, which is the big one for eastern canada, and there were some terrific entries i must say

but it won Best of Show -People's Choice, which I felt great about!

 my cheapo camera is one of those common digital automatic ones, but its new and has some manual settings i can eff with, so i'll give it a go and experiment. i'll post the pics tomorrow then, hows that ;)

and next up for me is Nagato... which is a beautiful ship too i think. thank-you for your nice comments pavlvs!  

Well done. Not a bad result after 40 years hey?