Calling all IJN Mogami-class (最上) fans

[cnimsk]

Thank you...Just what I was looking for!

Chuck

[Richard J OMalley]

Something in the works for RC people.

[Dan K]

Looks good.

[Richard J OMalley]

Thanks Dan
Here is Takao and Tone. Takao is before the 1939 rebuild so can make any of the four as launched. Takao after 1939 is in the works .

[Vladi]

Hello everyone,

Does anyone know what is the difference between 1/700 Tamiya kits representing Suzuya and Mikuma? I know what the differences between the actual ships were (especially in hull width and anti-torpedo bulges), but from the pictures of kits I cannot really tell if (and how) are these represented in the kits.
Thanks a lot!

Vladi

[Atma]

Almost all differences are represented in the Tamiya kits (funnel, air vents, etc).

[Dan K]

The new Tamiya Suzya/Kumano does not have the midships hull knuckle that the other two sister kits do come with. Far superior to the original 1/700 versions.

[sirpaul]

Hello Vladi, The Tamiya kits in 700 are pretty much the same except for anti-aircraft guns. All the ships in the class to my knowledge had the same beam. They were all redone with bulges. The Mikuma had a slightly different bridge than the rest of the class however. The newer kits are in the #'s 340's and are much more detailed and better put together than the older Dark grey sprues. The new kits' hulls come in halves as well. The 8-inch turrets are better designed and the barrels have blast bags, the torpedo rooms are open so you can display the them in firing position. Suzuya is a 1944 model and will have radars/many more AA guns. The Mikuma is 1942 of course, has less AA guns, no radars, and has a different bridge structure. Hope this helps.

[Vladi]

Dear all,

Thanks for your replies. I have got the Suzuya (later mold) and I was considering building it as a Mikuma, but from what you wrote it seems like a better idea to get the Mikuma so that I would not need to bother with the conversion and better spend the time on detailing it. OK

Vladi

[Richard J OMalley]

Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War by Eric Lacroix and Linton Wells II will tell you everything you ever wanted to know, and then some, on WWII IJN Cruisers .

[Vladi]

Hi Richard - yes, especially L&W is very useful. However, my question was about differences between kits, not actual ships (which I know from L&W). Now I have the answer - thanks to all!

[Dan K]

Just to be clear - yes, the new kits accurately reflect the differences in the hull between Mogami/Mikuma & Suzuya/Kumano.

[Atma]

New molded IJN Mogami by Fujimi in November:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10199446
In 1/700.

[Paul O'Reilly]

Guys,

I thought there was going to be a 1/350 Mikuma in her June 1942 configuration at some point. I've heard nothing about it in the last year or two. Will there be one or must one convert a Mogami kit?

Paul

[Timmy C]

The only 1/350 Mikuma kit I know of or have heard about is the pre-war version with the 6.1" triple turrets: http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10088548

[Dan K]

It would actually be easier to buy the all gun CA verson of Mogami and convert her to Mikuma. The mainmast is the biggest difference.

[sirpaul]

I agree with Dan. I actually plan on doing just that.

[redoctober27]

YES!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for the New IJN Mogami by Fujimi in November!! Thanks Atma!!!! I'm hoping they do Kumano and Suzuya as well !!!

[Atma]

YES!!!!!!!!! I can't wait for the New IJN Mogami by Fujimi in November!! Thanks Atma!!!! I'm hoping they do Kumano and Suzuya as well !!!

I got the funnel and the bridge part(s) in advance, and I can assure you they are levels ahead in quality and accuracy than the old Tamiya offerings. The funnel has all the exhaust pipes as a separate piece, and not molded on the funnel.
According to this book:http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10140342
they are all correct for a late-war IJN Mogami.

[Atma]

And finally the new IJN Mogami from Fujimi in 1/700 is out:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10199446
Notice that the ship is engineered in a way that more than one edition can be made from it (Early-war IJN Mogami/IJN Mikuma or even possibly an IJN Suzuya/IJN Kumano).
And of course no comparison to the old Tamiya releases, the new Fujimi one is way better in detail and accuracy, prefer the Tamiya only if you are inexperienced with model ships as the new Fujimi IJN Mogami has a A LOT of small parts and is a bit complicated - the bridge is a hell of small parts in particular - (as always).

I really enjoyed the new IJN Mogami to be honest, and also with a nice PE set will skyrocket the model to a little gem. Highly recommended.