Calling all IJN Kagero-class (陽炎) fans

[Dan K]

That depends on the timeframe you wish to model. The Kagero kit is early war fit, and, with some mods, can be used to model various fits up through sometime in 1943. After that, it would be best to switch to a Yukikaze kit, which is a very late war version.

If you want to use the hiragana writing on the sides, then you need the early war Kagero kit.

And, to be more specific, mid to late 1941 is the window of time in which these ships carried both a degaussing cable and the hiragana writing. Going further, Nowaki's degaussing cable pattern was the same as Yukikaze's (and that of the Kagero kit, since both kits use the exact same hull tooling.) Arashi's pattern is undocumented, AFAIK.

HTH.

[Haijun watcher]

That depends on the timeframe you wish to model. The Kagero kit is early war fit, and, with some mods, can be used to model various fits up through sometime in 1943. After that, it would be best to switch to a Yukikaze kit, which is a very late war version.

If you want to use the hiragana writing on the sides, then you need the early war Kagero kit.

And, to be more specific, mid to late 1941 is the window of time in which these ships carried both a degaussing cable and the hiragana writing. Going further, Nowaki's degaussing cable pattern was the same as Yukikaze's (and that of the Kagero kit, since both kits use the exact same hull tooling.) Arashi's pattern is undocumented, AFAIK.

HTH.

I was looking at the time of Midway 1942, when both were escorts of Nagumo's task force.

[Dan K]

Then use the Kagero kits, with no hiragana writing. No other mods are necessary.

[73north]

That depends on the timeframe you wish to model. The Kagero kit is early war fit, and, with some mods, can be used to model various fits up through sometime in 1943. After that, it would be best to switch to a Yukikaze kit, which is a very late war version.

If you want to use the hiragana writing on the sides, then you need the early war Kagero kit.

And, to be more specific, mid to late 1941 is the window of time in which these ships carried both a degaussing cable and the hiragana writing. Going further, Nowaki's degaussing cable pattern was the same as Yukikaze's (and that of the Kagero kit, since both kits use the exact same hull tooling.) Arashi's pattern is undocumented, AFAIK.

HTH.

I was looking at the time of Midway 1942, when both were escorts of Nagumo's task force.

the Kagero Class ( Kagero , Isokaze , Nowaki , and Yukikaze ) are made in 1/350 scale -
by the following 3 Manufacturers

Tamiya Ship Series No.20 JAPANESE NAVY DESTROYER YUKIKAZE (1945 Version )
Tamiya Ship Series No.32 Japanese Navy Destroyer ' Kagero ' ( 1941 version )
Hasegawa 1/350 Japanese Destroyer Yukikaze 1940 Version ( Hasegawa -Nr. 40063 )
Hasegawa 1/350 Yukikaze - Operation Ten-Go 1945 Version ( Hasegawa - Nr. 40022 )
Hasegawa 1/350 Isokaze - Superdetail Hasegawa - Nr. 40069 - 1 ( produced 2008 )
Hasegawa 1/350 Nowaki - "Super Detail" Limited Edition ( Hasegawa - Nr. 40094 ) - new kit produced 2017
This limited edition kit features detail-up photo-etched parts plus three sets of decals for Nowaki, Hamakaze, and Tanikaze
Fujimi - 1/350 Destroyer Yukikaze Number 46012 (Also listed as 350-003 or FUJ46012 )

Please note - I highly recommend the INFINI super-detail set ( includes brass barrels and detailed ensign and jack staff's in brass rod etc..)
https://freetimehobbies.com/1-350-infin ... l-up-sets/

[73north]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IJN-Destroyer-S ... SwGJlZLgr9

If anyone is a collector of large scale IJN Destroyers , this is for sale
IJN Destroyer SHIRANUI ( Kagero Class ) in 1/200 by Nichimo

[Bread]

Do any of you have an idea about what the protrusions on both sides of the searchlight tower in the 1/350 Tamiya and Hasegawa kits are (I've circled them in red)? From the drydock photos of Shiranui there obviously isn't anything on the port side, and there doesn't appear to be anything on the starboard side either from the photo of Maikaze. Also the photo of Shiranui shows that the rear of the searchlight tower was quite rounded compared to both of the kits which depict it as square with rounded corners. I can't find any photos of Kagero from that angle, so I'm not sure if different ships had differing searchlight towers or this is simply a mistake by the kit manufacturers.

[Dan K]

They appear to be air intakes, similar to what actually appeared on the bridge superstructure and aft deckhouse. While I see hints of them in some plans, I haven't found a photo to verify them. They could have been a late war tweak, but I'm not sure of that. There is one postwar photo of Yukikaze where something MAY be visible; too blurry to say what it is, and the angle of view poor. The perspective is too oblique.

[Bread]

Thanks Dan, that would certainly explain it seeing as there appears to be little other ventilation on the tower apart from a single porthole in the rear. I guess I'll sand them off my early war Kagero as I can't find any early war photos of the class that display them. I'd agree with you on them being a late-war addition, there appear to be hints of a shadow in that area on some long distance shots of the ROCS Tan Yang.

On another note, do you happen to have any information on the hull plating pattern, especially on the areas under the waterline? I've seen some launch photos of the class which give me an approximate idea of the side plating, but so far have found absolutely nothing regarding the keel. Any details in this area would be greatly appreciated.

[Dan K]

Sadly, there aren't any photos that I'm aware of that show the keel and surrounding plating clearly. This is true across all the DD classes. Most everything is too dark, distant, or indistinct.

That Shiranui photo in drydock is probably the best view of a keel, but the plating is obscured by the amount of hull fouling. The photos of Nowaki in drydock, or Isokaze launching, clearly shows alternating bands of plating, but only up forward and above the keel.

It doesn't really ever improve over this Natsushio photo.

[Bread]

Though I sort of expected this will be the case, it is indeed unfortunate as the Kagero and Yugumo classes were such important workhorses for the IJN. I can probably make an educated guess on parts of the keel plating by figuring out the locations of the hull framing from the side plates. I think I've also seen some hull section drawings somewhere, those can probably add a little bit of realism to my guesswork if I can find them again.

[ijnfleetadmiral]

That's the only pic I've ever seen of Natsushio. I'm honestly surprised that pics of Kagero - seeing as how she was the name-ship of her class - aren't more prevalent. Only ever seen two pics of her: one of her bridge structure and one of her just before launch taken from the floor of the building ways.

[Guest]

That's the only pic I've ever seen of Natsushio. I'm honestly surprised that pics of Kagero - seeing as how she was the name-ship of her class - aren't more prevalent. Only ever seen two pics of her: one of her bridge structure and one of her just before launch taken from the floor of the building ways.

What wrecked things for lovers of the IJN , was the whole-sale destruction of records and photos , following the surrender of the Japanese - done by the
Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff , and also the excessive secrecy that they tended to have - that's why there is so little remaining - unless in private hands

[redoctober27]

Damn it!!! So after find all the stuff for Tamyia 1/350 kit.. Lionraor and infinity PE sets 1/350.. I was just about to start building when I started to re-evaluate Fujimi's new kit.. now I'm wondering if I should try to buy the new Fujimi kit and try to kit bash the PE sets from Loinraor and infinity ( which are made for the older to Tamyia kit) to try and come up with something more accurate. Is anyone else doing this?? What troubles are you running into? And/or is it even possible?

[Dan K]

Which do you think is more accurate in 1/350, the Fujimi kit? Outside of having the forward apertures under the forward torpedo storage bays, I don't think so. But, I don't actually have it in hand.

From what I can see, the hull plating is comparatively overwrought, and the masts thicker. OTOH, the turrets and TT shields are one piece.

If the kit is dimensionally similar, then the PE should fit, unless some pieces have been configured differently.

[redoctober27]

What about the linoleum lay out?? I would have to sand down quite a bit of anti-skid deck to put in linoleum decks... I mean it shouldn't be too hard but still ... what about linoleum between the torpedo rails ?? Oh and you also have the metal decking underneath the first current as well .. I mean holding the old kit it really doesn't seem like it would be that much work I guess .. IDK..

[Dan K]

It's not clear if there was linoleum between the TT rails on the starboard side. No photographic or clear plan evidence. Port side is clearly treaded metal from available photos. I dunnno; it wouldn't be that hard to remove the treading from the Tamiya kit if you so desired. IMHO.

[redoctober27]

Hmmm yeah I may leave the tread between the torpedo rails.. but what about the linoleum aft of the forecastle? I know you said that's there isn't any photographic evidence, but the linoleum aft of the forecastle seems to be a growing trend. It seem like more and more are having them. I wish we could see the info that the model companies are getting. But then again there are ships in the past that used to be displayed with anti-skid Decks that we now know to be linoleum for example the old 1/700 Mogami from Tamyia. Man I hate not knowing.... that being said the new fujimi kit dose get the Metal plateing around the first turret correct..

[Dan K]

Apparently, the wreck of Isokaze was found back in May, 2016, but just announced last week:

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20180208_09/

[Vlad]

Just spotted this:

http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10511297

Any comments on it? Verdict on accuracy, quality, or too soon? A bit disappointed by the price tag, seems Fujimi likes these semi-snap in coloured plastic but they are more expensive than the "regular". Can't see a regular or not twin pack version of this though.

[Dan K]

I'm aware of it, but I've no clue how good it is. For the moment, I only have their new 1/700 NEXT Yugumo/Kazagumo enroute to me. I was planning to report on that in terms of the very things you seek. I would think them comparable.

If anyone get this new kit, we'd love to hear your impressions of it.