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

[mikasa]

So, I've lost a couple of parts on my Nisshin and I don't know what they are. They are part A22 in the kit if you have it. It's the thing on the round platform on the top level of the forward superstructure. I got two in there, but two more are needed amidships. I really can't figure out what it is. Looking at superstructure diagrams in my Lacroix and Wells cruiser book, I *think* it may be a 1.5m navigation rangefinder but I honestly don't know what it is.

I imagine after I put on most of the other small parts I'll see what else I've lost and order some appropriate parts from Shapeways.....

[Dan K]

I don't have the kit, so I am referencing the instructions online. Parts C15 are 1.5m navigation rangefinders. Parts A22 appear to be the 25mm MG directors. See Finemolds NanoDread set WA29. I think there are some covered versions in PitRoad set NE03.

[mikasa]

Thanks Dan. The part in the kit doesn't look much like the 25mm directors I can see pictures of in my Lacroix and Wells book but I'm not sure that means anything. I see the shelf oddities also makes some directors for those.

Is there a way to get instructions sheets online for lots of model kits? That would be handy.

[Dan K]

Use the hobby search japan search function. Find a kit (always under the "military model" category), then hit list all images.

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/plamo/

[reigels]

Theses little guys? I can see how they could escape.

Four options come to mind:

1) Fabricate replacements out of styrene rod or stretched sprue. The kit parts are just about .04" which is a standard Evergreen rod size. Not sure what the parts actually represent so it's possible you may actually create a better depiction of the real thing if you have a photo reference.

2) Use some similar replacement "eye candy" the scrap box, or what have you.

3) Use after market replacements from Shapeways, Nano Dread, etc: https://hlj.com/product/VTMW70010
https://www.shapeways.com/product/DW7ZA ... d=59071860
https://www.shapeways.com/product/CE6DZ ... d=59128159

4) It's a cheap and available kit. If it bugs you, pick up a spare for extra parts, future conversion, give to the kids, etc. (which would be cheaper perhaps than after market replacements). https://hlj.com/product/AOS00844

I'd go Shapeways myself since 3d printing is amazing and their service is good.

Thanks -

[reigels]

Oh - and then there's the armor trick:

5) Put a tarp over it and ignore the error.

--SDR

[mikasa]

Thanks for the pointers everyone!

Re: the shapeways stuff. Does that work with plastic cement or do you need to use CA for it?

[reigels]

CA glue - and splurge for the Frosted Ultra Detail, if available. Same material as Frosted Extreme, just better resolution.

[Mike W]

Still not finding any etch for the Aoshima Nisshin but it appears on checking that the etch cranes I have for Chitose/Chiyoda are close enough. The one thing I don't have is etch catapults, the ones the kit instructions tell you to use are quite a bit bigger. Is there any etch IJN larger catapults out there?

thanks
Mike

[Dan K]

Nisshin had a longer type catapult installed, 25.5m instead of the more typical 19.4m of the Kure Type No,2 Type 5.

Hayasui plus the converted Ise and Hyuga carried this type. I would look for one of those sets. I think Hsegawa put out a smaller fret for its Ise/Hyuga many years ago that is less extensive but contains the catapult: https://www.plazajapan.com/4967834721050/

[Mike W]

Nisshin had a longer type catapult installed, 25.5m instead of the more typical 19.4m of the Kure Type No,2 Type 5.

Hayasui plus the converted Ise and Hyuga carried this type. I would look for one of those sets. I think Hsegawa put out a smaller fret for its Ise/Hyuga many years ago that is less extensive but contains the catapult: https://www.plazajapan.com/4967834721050/

thanks Dan!

[Mike W]

I have a question regarding the Aoshima 1/700 Chitose kit (as in Light carrier not seaplane carrier). First, is it any good? Second - I see they depict it in it's Green camouflage but I've already painted the Skywave/Pit Road Chiyoda like that, so is the kit accurate for just before it was repainted, or did they refit it and add extras to it at the same time as painting the camouflage?

thanks
Mike

[Dan K]

Hopefully, someone else can address the fit and accuracy of the kit, as I don't have them.

Both sisters were given camouflage in the summer of 1944. Supposedly, the flight deck schemes differed. If the flight deck is molded as wood planked, you could paint her as converted in 1943 with the standard wood deck and grey paint.

[Mike W]

Hopefully, someone else can address the fit and accuracy of the kit, as I don't have them.

Both sisters were given camouflage in the summer of 1944. Supposedly, the flight deck schemes differed. If the flight deck is molded as wood planked, you could paint her as converted in 1943 with the standard wood deck and grey paint.

Thanks Dan.

Do you know if anything else changed in that summer 44 refit? Like AA, radars etc.

thanks
Mike

[Dan K]

They certainly had Type 13 radars installed, along with more single 25mm AA. If I can remember to do it, I will scan & post the Fukui schematics for each as of 7-10-1044.

[Dan K]

Here you go.....

[Mike W]

thanks Dan!

[Hen]

Hello everybody! I am planning to build Aoshima's seaplane tender Chiyoda and I stumbled upon this drawing that show her in white camouflage. This would surely look cool, since the other large tenders were all grey.



After a 10-day refit at Kure, the ship was sent to Kiska in late June/early July 1942 - so the possibility for a paint job was surely there, although her TROM does not mention it. Existing photos only show her in normal grey color.

Does anyone know if the camo is fictional or if it was really applied?

[Dan K]

I have no idea. According to the Japanese Wikipedia article, she may have only spent 3 weeks in those waters, from late June to mid July, 1942.

Her TROM is incomplete in this timeframe.