The Ship Model Forum

Thank you Cliffy ,Timmy, and Kym for giving me posting confidence. Now I just gotta get my stuff centered. I want to thank Gilbert C. for the Suraga Maru image. I had to correct the rake/slope of the bow. The kit was incorrect.
I added the bridge, windlass, deck winches and anchor chains. I replaced the kits anchors with those from LionRoar.
Next step will be to add bridge windows, and bridge top. Then add the smoke stack/deck platform. So far fit issues are pretty good.










Bob Pink.

Looking great Bob. Those types of IJN auxiliary ships are the ones that need to be released in 1:350, they'd make excellent additions to any dio.

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I was depressed last night, so I rang lifeline. Got a call centre in
Afghanistan and told them I was suicidal.

They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

I've just started work this evening on a conversion using Pit Road's 1/700 Kamikawa Maru. The kit is too short for Kamikawa Maru due to an OA/BP length mixup, but it scales pretty close to several other freighters according to the plans in Mr. Motoyuki Iwashige's book on the topic. Kagu Maru seems to be the closest in bow and stern shape, but will need work on the deckhouse. I don't really want to do her as a seaplane tender, so she'll be depicted as post conversion back to a straight transport. (Actually given the lack of references she'll probably be a generic Japanese freighter which looks a bit more like Kagu Maru than Kamikawa Maru.)



Kit hatches 4-6 are too low to the deck, compared to the forward hatches in order to accommodate the seaplane deck, and I want to convert the steel hatch covers to earlier flat wooden covered hatches, so I am replacing the deck and scratch building the details. This will also allow me to leave a couple hatches open to depict her unloading cargo to a lighter.

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-- Scott

Thank you Kym! This kit is only 4 inches long, in 1/350 it would only be about 8inches maybe? It wouldn't be too hard to scratchbuild. Getting the bow right would probably be the hardest part.


Scott:

This is a conversion I will be foolowing with interest.
Did the Kagu Maru have a wooden deck?



Bob Pink.

Thanks Bob - I really do not have much information on her, but my impression is that her type would have had steel cargo decks and wood decks on the superstructure. Not sure about the focsle, but I may do it in wood just for visual interest. Any feedback or constructive criticism is (much) appreciated however.

Not sure about the 'tween deck either (deck in the cargo hold), but they were pretty prevalent in freighters of this era so I added one.

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-- Scott

You are most welcome, Bob and I will follow your build with great interest. I agree with you about the kit's bow rake being different from the one on the picture, I have noticed this as well but, I am now confused if you look at Motoyuki San's SURUGA MARU built pictured on page 69 in his book. In this picture, the bow's rake looks similar to the Niko's one. But anyway, your modified bow matches the photo's one and gives a better look to the ship .

Keep up the good work

Gilbert

Scott, I will follow as well your conversion/build with great interest. As you know for sure, during WW2, she was used from 1941 till her loss on 11/04/1944, as a "Tokusetsu Zatsuyosen", The role of Tokusetsu-unsosen (Zatsuyosen) was to transport personnel, mails and various military stores. Motoyuki San has represented her as in 1937 during the Sino-Japanese war, she was used by then as a seaplane tender. I would go with you about a steel deck on the main deck and wood on the superstructure, this is the way Motoyuki San has depicted her as illustrated on his website and in his book, on page 45.

Cheers
Gilbert

Hi Gilbert:

I'll have to check out the photo in his book. I looked at his website and his Suraga Maru had wooden painted decks along with other odds and ends that the Niko kit doesn't. The Niko kit is painted all gray. I am going to side with Motoyuki san on his painting representation over Nikos. Who would know better than him.

I'll try to get more work done on her today, with pics to follow.




Bob Pink.

I'm going to try and finish a scratchbuilt IJN Kitakami 1945 Kaiten carrier for this build. I obtained several really good plans for the ship from a member of the site(Thank you!) and resized them to 1:700. Here are a few photos of the progress. I'm a bit further along than these show and will post more in a few days.

Great start AJ. Your pics are a great help for myself when I want to do a scratchbuild. I like what you did constructing the hull.



Bob Pink.

Here is a pic of my new modeling buddy. He is a good companion and is quickly recovering from his injury at my wifes animal shelter. I must be a good therapist.

I chose to paint the Suraga, so here is a starboard and port side view. I painted her in Kure Gray, and Tamiya Wood for the decking. Part two of painting, touch ups will commence later on today.












Bob Pink.

Good move Bob. I am glad to see another animal rescued. Bet you will have a loyal companion. Just make sure you teach him to stay away from the Suraga.

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Timothy Dike
Owner & Administrator
ModelWarships.com

Tim, you should see all the dog and cat fosters that come to and through our house. Thats what happens when you marry a veterinarian. My Suraga is in no danger now. The little guy is learning how to walk again. By next week he'll be terrorizing our other cats and dogs.



Bob Pink.

Looks good so far, Bob

Gilbert

Today, I thought I'd tackle the aircraft handling deck with all it's underside gusset works. It went together quite well after learning a few tricks with the under deck P/E on the Akagi. The main thing is to visually check that the little cutouts are aligned dead straight, or when the cross pieces are added, there'll be big problems. I think after today's construction, I'm just over 50% completed.

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I was depressed last night, so I rang lifeline. Got a call centre in
Afghanistan and told them I was suicidal.

They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

Well done Kym!
Ya gotta love photoetch!




Bob Pink.

Nice! What are you using for a glue applicator on this? I think my fingers would be stuck together about 1/2 way through.

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-- Scott

Sometime ago, I acquired about 3 meters of .8mm metal rod, which I have mainly been using as replacement mast, flagstaff, gun-tub supports ect, but I also cutoff 50 - 60mm lengths as my applicators.

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I was depressed last night, so I rang lifeline. Got a call centre in
Afghanistan and told them I was suicidal.

They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

Awesome job Kym!!


Jose

Great looking builds, everyone. Here is my progress on the Balao.

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Gordon


"Then there was one patched-up carrier...."
Vice Admiral Thomas A. Kinkaid