The Ship Model Forum

I have the 1945 boxing as well. The kit comes with 2 each of the A6M Zero, B6N Tenzan, D4Y Judy (inline engine), C6N Myrt and the B7A Grace.

I finally recieved my 1/700 Fujimi Ryuho 1945 and it is excellent.

I havn't studied the airplanes too much yet but they are molded clear and the canopies are separate. Can anyone identify what the airplanes are? I'm lazy but I can do it myself with a little research.

Fujimi is sure making some nice stuff now.

Great photos and info. Thanks for posting.

Fujimi's rendition for the forwardmost 25mm tubs is correct. OTOH, it's hard to tell from the available Ryuho photo whose version for the rear tubs us correct. I would think that the front and rears tubs would be similar but, in the 2nd pic, the sides look angular, which would mean PitRoad versions are correct. (credit: #1 - KMM CV volume; #2 - Adm. Bogan Collection)

I can't speak to the treading; will have to check available photos for the 25mm emplacements.

And the difference in the forecastle on the treadplating.

Also:

The deck(s) on Pit Road looks bare compared to Fujimi.

Whats the correct version Pit Roards square guns tube(Yellow Arrow) or Fujimi rounded guns tube(Red Arrow):

Thanks in advance.

I think Motoyuki-san thought they were both pretty good, each with just some small errors. He feels it's up to the individual modeler about their preferences and desire to make any corrections.

Everyone knows how I feel about Fujimi's standard planking pattern for their flight decks so, if I were going to paint the deck (my personal preference) instead of using a wood deck sticker, I'd opt for the PitRoad version. But that's me.

At the end, whats the most accurate ? Dan.
Fujimi is going to release anyway a PE set of the flight deck plus a wooden deck too.

As we don't have a dedicated CASF thread for Ryuho, this seems the most appropriate place for the following post from Motoyuki-san, who has just done a comparison review of the PitRoad and Fujimi versions for a Japanese publication:

I send some photos comparing Pitroad (1942 and 1945) and Fujimi (1942 w/PE)’s Ryuho. Hull shape and fitting parts of the former are better, on the other hand the latter surpass in detail mold and are well proportionate for photo etching parts. Pit’s forward 01-level deck is slightly wide at fwd end because of lack of knuckle flair. F’s stern boat deck is much narrow. Although Fujimi’s wooden deck sheet is not so bad, additional PE in the set has serious problem; arresting wire is too short for ship’s width and barrier have to be stood due to thickness of wood sheet (I bended it forcibly). Eventually the winner will be depended on each modeler.

Thanks Dan. I appreciate the reply.

I have neither kit but, I do know just from photos that PitRoad's flight deck planking is much more accurately scaled than Fujimi's. Based on prior recent examples of each, I would also think that PitRoad's molding to be more crisp/less soft than Fujimi's. Fujimi may have a few more details overall.

The Ryuho is the only IJN carrier I am missing at this point. I've methodically managed to check the rest off my list over the years.

I have found the Fujimi kit online as well as the Pit-Road kit. The Fujimi kit looks great based on this review but is there a pro or con list for the Fujimi kit against the Pit-Road? I have Pit-Road's Chiyoda which looks pretty good in the box and I would assume their Ryuho will be the same type of detail and quality. Other than price is there another factor that may help me decide on either Pit-Road or Fujimi Ryuho kits?

What are the thoughts of the resident IJN carrier experts here?

My sanity will never be maintained........regardless of price.

I thought the price of your IJN flight deck pattern sanity far higher.

That much? Do I have to match it?

Dan, time to establish an international prize for accurarate IJN deck-planking, in your name of course. I'll throw $10.00 in the pot.

Thx for the review, Bill. Looks like a very nice kit (except for that flight deck planking, of course )

Some more pics: