Calling all IJN Minekaze-class, Kamikaze-class, Mutsuki-class fans

[Dan K]

I have the Yunagi kit, and it is identical to the Kamikaze kit, in early war fit. It does come with late war parts, though you must shave off the rear TT tube base from the main deck to make her in late war fit.

The colorized Yunagi photo above is representative of her appearance in 1942. Almost nothing changes.

I'll look for a line drawing. In the meantime, from the Gran Prix Shuppan DD volume, two bridge views, as built (Kamikaze on left), and modernized (as represented by Yunagi on the right).

[Vladi]

Hello Dan, many thanks for your reply and the drawing, it is really very helpful! That means that I can get any of the kits.

[Dan K]

There is a report from another member that their Yunagi kit came w/o the rear TT mount base. FWIW.

[Vladi]

What would be the best kit then for the early war Yunagi?

[Dan K]

to be safe, probably the Kamikaze kit.

[Vladi]

Thanks!

[Quincy]

I remember that Paolo Pizzi did a build of Yunagi during the Guadacanal campaign. I'll try to see if I have it and pass along the info to you if you wish.




Bob Pink.

[Dan K]

-Line drawing of Yunagi, 1941 from the MASMS #17. My only nitpick with the PitRoad Minekaze/Kamikaze/Mutsuki class kits in that the main 10cm armament is overscale. In this one regard, the Hasegawa Mutsuki kit guns are better. I would suggest thinning down the shields and lowering the mount on it's base, maybe by sanding down the bottom of the base. Otherwise, these are some very nice kits.

[Quincy]

Sent you a PM Vladi.




Bob Pink.

[Dan K]

A long time lurker has corrected me on the "Yunagi" illustration (sure wish he would chime in....). It is Yukaze (Minekaze type), not Yunagi. Sorry about that. I'll have to see what else is around. Or, someone else....?

[Quincy]

Hi Vladi:

Here is some of the information from Paolo's build of a 1942 Savo Island Yunagi. He did use the Skywave Yunagi kit:

He found a Kojinsha plan for Kamikaze in 1942, which cross-referenced with a Shizuo Fukui's drawing and the one on page 142 of the excellent Warships of the IJN 1869-1945 by Jentschura, Jung and Mickel confirms what he suspected: the AA was increased but not as much as in 1944, the aft most torpedo mount was landed but only one of the 4.7"-50 cal. guns was removed. The only conflicting issue is that according to the two Japanese references, there should be 8x 25mm. guns (2x4) while the Naval Institute book shows 10 of them (2x4 plus two singles on the quarter deck, right abaft the aft deck house). He opted for what the Japanese claim. Therefore this should be the fit of all Kamikazes in mid-42, including the Yunagi.

The armament would be:

3x 4.7"-50 cal. DP (1x3)

8x 25mm. AA (4x2)

4x 21" TT (2x2)

A couple of points he was able to discover:

The circular base of the removed torpedo mount was still there.
Canvas awnings were used to shield the hot South Pacific sun.

He reshaped the aft deckhouse. Unfortunately, I did not take any blown up pictures showing this or any other part of his build! I wish I did and am still kicking myself to this day that I did not!!

He basically super detailed every part of this build andding photo etch and brass throughout.


Well, thats about it except for any photos showing it all.


Bob Pink.

[Vladi]

Thanks a lot, Bob, for all the extensive info! I tried to search the net but unsuccessfully as of yet.

What puzzles me here is that the setup you described is actually nearly the same as what Pit-Road have on the backside of their Yunagi box (http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... agi-07.jpg) but there it is marked as 1944 setup. The contents of the box (http://www.modelwarships.com/reviews/sh ... agi-02.jpg) is in fact the same config. The question than is when did this refit actually take place, which might have been 1942, 43 or 44. Would be interesting to know where did Paolo sourced his Kamikaze fit details from.

I am still unclear about which kit would be the best starting point for a 1942 Yunagi. Would anyone have anything more to add to this topic?

[Dan K]

To be honest, I have my doubts that the Kamikaze's had the third TT mount removed as early as 1942, much less all those 25 mm. The move to greater AA protection didn't really occur until 1943 for a majority of the IJN DDs; most light AA is of the 13mm at the start of the war. Plus, newer construction usually gets priority for weapons upgrades. Just my two cents worth. I'll try to dig further.

[Vladi]

I just received and info that Model Art #50 features a 1/700 IJN Yunagi 1942 Battle of Savo Island kit build. Unfortunately, I cannot get hold of that issue. Would someone who has #50 be willing to scan the relevant part for me and send it over p.m.? That would be a great help!

[Dan K]

Mine hasn't shipped yet. Maybe someone else?

[Vladi]

I realized the Model Art #50 is a recent issue so I just ordered it at HLJ. They released it just in time for me
My Pit-Road IJN Hayate just arrived and it seems like a good basis for a 1942 Yunagi.
Are there any suitable 1/700 PE sets for Kamikaze-class (especially for the gun platform supports)? I noticed only Toms Modelworks IJN DD set A that seem to me a bit dated but it can probably do the job. Does anybody know about anything else?

[Dan K]

Tom's was the only source for years, and thankfully so. Despite my fondness for them, new items from Rainbow carry great detail and depth. My recommendation:

[Vladi]

Dan, thanks a lot! It is sometimes hard to find out which ships the Rainbow sets relate to (e.g. their nice funnel hood sets - don't you have a key to them BTW?)
You are indeed right about Tom's, they still have stuff that noone else does after all the years. And their new USS Yorktown/Enterprise look really good!

[Dan K]

The RB frets come with specific instructions, Vladi. The reload gantries for these classes are nearly identical.

Yes, the new CV-5/6 kits look exquisite.

[Vladi]

Thanks, Dan!
One more question re the image "Kamikaze bridge as built vs Yunagi 1936" you posted above. Apparently, Yunagi had her rails moved to the opposite side of the bridge (in which case the other drawing "Yunagi illustration, 1941, MA#17crop" would be incorrect in this respect). Do you have any picture showing how the rails went along the ship?