VeryFire 1/350 Takao 1944 (高雄)

[Dan K]

Photos can confirm that the front portions are slab sided and that the ends are open, like a ventilation intake. But, it also appears that some flotation/damage control lumber may have been stored there. The same appears to be true of the aft ends. Photos of this structure are not readily apparent, but some exist.

Some confusion about their purpose exists probably because several large scale, authoritative models in Japan show these areas as used strictly for wood storage. I tend to doubt that was the sole purpose, given that they are enclosed.

[Dan K]

The VF kit part seems reasonably correct. (As an FYI, the Aoshima kit also provides pieces to replicate this structure, but these comes integrated with other features.) Naturally, its placement under the perforated platforms just makes everything a bit more complicated. Plus, there is a 25mm AA ammunition lift built into it on both sides, plus 25mm ammo boxes are set on top of the perforated platforms.

In the end, with patience, it does work out.

[Dan K]

Rounding out the assemblies here are 25mm AA directors atop towers and the other set of lower searchlight towers platforms. These had AA crew quarters nestled against them as a result of the late 1943 refits.Plus 110cm searchlights.

[Dan K]

Well, it's been a month and my update is that there is no update. I'm still waiting on new deck treading pieces, which required some rework on sizing and placement. Everything built to date is staged and waiting.

In the meantime, I resumed work on the 1/350 Shimakaze (H), which is approaching completion. So, a silver lining of sorts.

[Devin]

Shimakaze is looking fine!

[Joelle]

Hi Dan.
Your Shimakaze looks great.
It's nice to have an alternative project when things get stalled.

[Dan K]

Thank you both. Shimakaze is now done, and I am happy with the result.

[Dan K]

And now that I’ve finished Shimakaze, I really want to build something else for to Takao. I decided to build one main turret, just to see how it went together and looked.

Construction of the styrene pieces was fairly straightforward. There’s an inner set of bulkheads, and then an outer set of heat shield lagging pieces. There’s a plate seam on top and one to each side at the rear of the lagging layer that needs some prep work to make them align correctly, unlike here in the test piece. Not that this one is so bad. Some work with a sanding stick can eliminate the unevenness seen here .

Going forward, I have another approach planned for the other turrets. Will post more soon.

[Joelle]

Thank you both. Shimakaze is now done, and I am happy with the result.

Confirmation that this can be you.