Calling all Chitose-class (千歳), Mizuho (瑞穂) and Nisshin (日進) fans

[able_]

[Alex_f]

Good morning,
I hope the Akitsushima still counts as seaplane tender, although she is not mentionned separately...

I am building the Akitsushima in gray. The kit has both seaplanes included - the H6K Mavis and H8k Emily. Am I right that with the gray ship, only the H6K should be possible? The Image in Wikipedia shows the ship in colourful disguise dated "18. April 1942", and the Emily entred service in the beginning of 1942. So, a small overlap could be possible, depending on the exact date of the repaint.

Can anyone confirm or deny that the combination "Emily" and gray Akitsushima is possible?

Alex

[Dan K]

Yes, Akitsushima is still considered a seaplane tender. I believe the camooflage paint was discontinued after 1942-3.

[Alex_f]

Ah, I realised just now: she was completed with the camouflage, and was then repainted with grey. I always thought it was the other way round. In this case, I will display the H8K. Since it is bigger, it looks more impressive.

Here's a picture with the progress a few days ago...



Alex

[Guest]

Hello!

I recently acquired kits of Chiyoda in both tender and carrier layouts, but I think I would like to 'convert' the Chiyoda carrier model (it's the Skywave kit W72/SW-3800) into the Chitose. Other than the fantail kanji (the kit decal sheet has both names), are there important configuration/armament/deck camouflage differences, or information somewhere on what the differences were?

Thanks!

D.

[Dan K]

To the best of my knowledge, they were identical save for slightly different flight deck camo after summer , 1944.

[DaveMM]

Thanks, Dan!

Dave

[ijnfleetadmiral]

Those are great!

[Timmy C]

Aoshima is working on a new 1/700 Chitose/Chiyoda in their flat-top guise: http://ameblo.jp/aoshima-kumablog/entry ... 55802.html

[Dan K]

I suppose more choices are nice.

[ijnfleetadmiral]

I know this is titled for the Chitose-class, but seeing as how Mizuho was a semi-sister of theirs and there is no thread for her, I'll post my question here.

Anyone have any high-quality drawings of Mizuho? I've been able to find little or nothing on her. TIA for any help!

[Dan K]

I agree that Mizuho and Nisshin should be included here. Note to moderator: Please change title to read: Calling all IJN Chitose (seaplane tender/carrier)/Mizuho & Nisshin Fans

The best drawings of Mizuho I've seen of late are in the MASMS vol #22.


btw, I recall reading recently on MW of someone's opinion that the new Aoshim kit was just a another Chitose kit with different parts. Not so, the Nisshin kit is all new. She has a one piece hull and one look at the stern at the waterline tells the difference. Image courtesy of HobbySearch.

[Dan K]

I think I have erred regarding Nisshin. I note that both Nisshin and Chiyoda have the same hull and waterline part numbers. Hmm.......

[Timmy C]

I changed the title, but the length limit preclude the inclusion of "seaplane tender/carrier".

[Dan K]

Thx, Timmy. Maybe there's room for (AV & CVL) in there

[ijnfleetadmiral]

The best drawings of Mizuho I've seen of late are in the MASMS vol #22.

What's MASMS stand for? I'll see if I can find the drawings.

[Dan K]

Model Art Ship Modeling Special

[D-Boy]

Model Art Ship Modeling Special

Back issues can occasionally be found on Ebay from several sellers.

[marijn van gils]

On behalf of a friend: which types of planes did Chitose carry during the Battle in the Philippine Sea?

Many thanks,

Marijn

[Dan K]

From a discussion on the old J-aircraft.com/ships board back in 2005. Highlights in bold are mine. I don't think anything has changed since then -

CHIYODA 6-19-44 air group

Posted By: David Dickson
Date: Tuesday, 22 February 2005, at 6:07 a.m.

In Response To: Chiyoda aircraft complement June '44 (Foeth)

I am reasonably confident that her air group on that date was:
6 A6M5 VF ("Zeke")
15 A6M (either 5 or 2) VFB (capable of carrying 250kg bomb)
3 B6N1 ("Jill")
6 B5N2 ("Kate")

This was the complement for all three of Admiral Obayashi's carriers. The B5Ns were used in reconnaissance.

13 of the 18 B5Ns were launched as search aircraft at about 0515. 10 returned.

2 more B5N were launched as pathfinders for 3sf raid on contact "7-I".

They launched most of the rest of their aircraft in one attack wave on contact "7-I" as follows:
16 of 18 A6M VF-8 lost
45 of 45 A6M VFB-32 lost
8 of 9 B6N VT-2 lost

I suspect, but cant say for certain without going back into files etc. that I might find hard to locate, that the planes that were not launched (2 A6M VF; 3 B5N VT/VS; 1 B6N VT) in the three phases of air operations conducted that morning were operational losses between the rendezvous from TawiTawi and the Philippine Sea. This would not have been an unusual loss rate.