1st Model in 40 yrs - 1/350 Yamato

Where do you get that glue?

Bill

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

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

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 

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!

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

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

my "Insight"?  hehe Bill, I suspect when it comes to this game, I'm practically blind compared to you. ;)  You probably will garner very few "insights" from this neophile... I would more comfortable in referring you to Hallet's extensive review of the Lionroar set (the same one i used, latest version)  It has each PE sheet pictured and also has descriptions of what is included in each sheet:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=5806 

but to answer your question anyway: ;)  

 ...in the lionroar set:

- there's no depth charge rails (you're prolly not surprised)

- 2 type 21's included

- no type 22's (I used the tamiya ones and added some trim) 

- 2 type 13's included     <---these things are a b*tch to assemble!  I remember that night quite clearly!

- tons of 25mm triples, but only 14 singles... in pe

Hope that helps...are you planning a Musashi build?  

Firedeck,

The primary differences between Yamato and Musashi centered on the secondary armament and the AA armament. There were also differences in the radar outfit.

Both ships were completed with beam 6.1 inch turrets. These were removed in February (Yamato) and April (Musashi), 1944.  In Yamato, these were replaced by six twin 5 inch Type 89 shielded mounts.  In Musashi, the 6.1 inch beam turrets were replaced by six 25 mm triple mounts instead of the 5 inch mounts.  When sunk, Yamato carried 152 25 mm guns in 50 triple and two single mounts; Musashi had 130 25 mm guns arranged in 35 triple and 25 single mounts.  Musashi also carried depth charge rails on her stern after April, 1944.

Yamato was fitted for two Type 21 radars on top of her bridge rangefinder in July, 1943, and 1 each Type 22 and 13 radars in February, 1944. Musashi carried two Type 21, two Type 22, and one Type 13 radars after April, 1944.

Thanks for your insight . . .

Bill Morrison

Thanks for your comments... and potchip, the lionroar set is said to have most of the stuff for her latest config (Ten-ichi-gō Sakusen Apr '45)  but I would defer to Doug Hallet's recent review in that regards for greater detail. 

 http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=5806 

Anyway, had a couple hours on the w.e. to do a couple more things:

Thanks for viewing my post!

Looking good, very neat and tidy PE work. Any particular version you are going to build or just a matter of showing off the intricate detail of the model? Irrespective of which route have fun building.

1/350 would be perfect size to do some shading on a ship model to accenturate the size.

jesus wept itd take me 40 years to do this!!!

After forty years, I can say this is coming back with a vengeance. Great work! Show us more.

Your work is truly remarkable! I've always wanted to give one of Tamiya's 1/350's a go.

You definately have what it take for finer PE work..for sure

This build is truly an inspiration!

I contnue to marvel at the PE,the cats,and the AAA guns look great !!

Hi Bill, I am sorry...not being familiar with Musashi in detail, I do not know the answer to your question myself. For reference, I primarily used Anatomy of the Ship: The Battleship Yamato by Janusz Skulski. If he produced one for Mushashi, I dont know...

I will keep my eye out for reference material re Musashi vs Yamato configurations and advise if I find something helpful. OR ... if you already know the differences and just want to know what comes with the Lionroar set, if you'd list them for me, I'd be happy to tell you if the set has them (there's like +1700 parts/peices in the  set, including several extra AA's -singles, doubles and triples, so maybe...dunno).  *edit pls refer to Hallet's article for more details:

http://www.armorama.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Reviews&file=index&req=showcontent&id=5806

  And thank-you for  your comments on my build so far.   

I am VERY impressed!  Again, does it have necessary parts for Musashi?

Bill Morrison

Your PE work is unbelievable.

Some more pics and a  couple of updates:

Comments and suggestions welcomed. Thanks for viewing.

Looks great...can't even imagine doing all that PE. I think you should not be nervous about the air brushing. After all that PE I would think anything would be a walk in the park.

As usual upon seeing such work,my actual response is way too colorful to be posted here!

Here's the abbreviated version......HFS!!!!!

Masterful workmanship!!!

Thank-you all for your encouragement and kind words!  I will most happily post progress pics after such a nice reception! Thank-you for that because I was nervous as to the reaction/criticism and you all have been most kind to me.  

To answer your question anthony...yes, this indeed is my first model since I was11 (a purple Godzilla :)  ... I would say results are more from, as my daddy used to say, brute strength and ignorance...but in this case, its more like brute time and ignorance.  10 months, many hours doing, and then doing over.  Boards like cs.finescale.com were an INVALUABLE resource for me, as was google images.

My local hobbyshop guy (Scott, Elm City Hobbies) also provided experienced advice and sold me good equipment to start out with.  I think the lionroar sets are works of quality engineering, expensive yes...but no one ever regretted buying quality. (also something my dad used to say ;) I use primarily Gator glue for PE attachment.  

I AM a lil nervous about the upcoming airbrushing tho...I bought a nice Harder-Steenbeck brush from Scott but my skills need further refinement and I hope I dont ruin it with a bad paint job...but we'll see :)  Its been fun learning so far and thank-you all again for the nice words... I cant tell you what that means to me.

Tim/Canada

I just can't believe the quality of your build,the detail is fantastic,Now if you have not build in 40 yrs,where did you aquire the skill to handle PE like that ? I mean how do you just by a super detailed PE set and justjump in ? You must have some experience during with models since 1971 ?

  but just fantastic work,cant wait to see it thru.

But, does the Lion Roar set have the necessary parts to detail Musashi?  Her AA armament was not the same as Yamato's.

Bill Morrison

Wow!  I lack the eyesight and fine motor skills to even think about attempting this.  Sure is a big change from the Aurora "Yamato" kit I built back in the early '60's.

Simply amazing!

Awesome photos, and the PE looks great.