Calling all IJN Soryu/Hiryu class Fans!

[Dan K]

Aoshima makes a 1938 version with the earlier bridge. Otherwise, you'll have to modify the '42 bridge.

I am hard-pressed to determine when those bridge changes make have taken place. The photo of her in Ariake Bay, April 1939 suggests that her bridge is unchanged at that point, as I can see the outline of the top of the searchlight that sat at the port forward corner of the bridge roof.

Illustrations below of her bridge as built, from the GPS CV volume.

[Haijun watcher]

Thanks again Dan.

I'm going with your info.

Ryuji hasn't responded yet on here or on either of the IJN-themed forums.

[Angeliccypher]

Two Hiryu questions.

What was her paint color at Midway?

Her final launch that hit the Yorktown again. Do we know what planes were launched? I know they were from multiple carriers, but what colors and markings is eluding me.

[GaryJinNC]

The last sortie by HIRYU was launched at 1330 under the command of LT Tomonaga Joichi. The 16 aircraft included 6 fighters (4 from HIRYU, 2 from KAGA) and 10 Type 97 Kate attack bombers (9 from HIRYU and 1 from AKAGI). See pp 521-522 in "Shattered Sword."

You will need to match up the aircraft listed with other records to confirm the aircraft numbers, markings, etc.

I hope this helps.

[Dan K]

That saves me a trip to the book.

According to her TROM, Hiryu appears to have visited Sasebo in late April, and there is no other movements listed for the next month. Chances are she had some sort of upkeep then. Prior to that, it's also Sasebo in late 1941.

[Angeliccypher]

Thanks guys. Any idea on resources to figure out plane markings and colors?

[Dan K]

They're out there, but it will take some time to find. IIRC, David Aiken used to have a website with plenty of IJN aircraft color profiles, but I'm having trouble find it. You can start with these links to color profiles which, I think, were developed in conjunction with his site. I'm giving you a link to the Ceylon raid as well because, it's likely that many of these aircraft were still on board at Midway.

http://japanese-aviation.forumeiros.com ... une-4-1942

http://japanese-aviation.forumeiros.com ... ril-9-1942


This may be helpful as well:

http://www.j-aircraft.com/faq/midway.htm

[Angeliccypher]

Thanks Dan. As always!

[Ryuji]

Thanks again Dan.

I'm going with your info.

Ryuji hasn't responded yet on here or on either of the IJN-themed forums.

Sorry, I rarely visit this forum and I changed my e-mail and forgot to update here, so didn�t know about the message.
I used the Model Art Special No.10 magazine as reference for island details (scanned image below).
They said they used a photo taken from Haguro in march / 1942 as reference. In 1939 was not changed yet and there is no photo evidence about 1941.

[Angeliccypher]

Working with the 1/350 Fujimi Hiryu now and I have a couple of questions.

I have acquired several Veteran IJN aftermarket items. Namely the following:

IJN Fire Control Set
IJN Search Light Set
IJN Deck Equipment Set
IJN Observation Device Set
IJN Binocular Set with Voice tubes

Which of those would replace what kit parts?

[Dan K]

Well, the binoculars with voice tubes would be used in place of P2.

I'm not sure exactly where the searchlight controllers for the 100cm searchlights would be located, if they were even present on these ships, as the searchlights were designed to aid in pre-radar surface nightfighting. Here, they might have been used to aid nighttime ops or find enemy aircraft.

Paravanes are part L47

25mm AA directors might be part L62

I'm working off the net, so that's all I can make out at the moment.

[Angeliccypher]

Which binoculars replace P2? There are several types in the box.

[Dan K]

12cm versions were the predominate version used for general search and chances are that these are the ones in the kit.

[Angeliccypher]

Well if they are all 12cm there would be 24 in the kit. 20 to a box for Veteran. Is there a place I can find out?

There are several other parts in the kit that show up multiple times that I cannot figure out what they are supposed to be. If anyone is so inclined to better educate me I would appreciate it.

L44 looks like it might be a deck winch
M21
M23
M10
M39
M40
M43
Q19
O4, O5, O6 and O8 are lights but I am not sure what type.

Sorry to be an annoyance. I do not have good resources for IJN and the good one seem to be either really expensive, out of print, only in Japanese or some combination there of.....

Thanks in advance!

[Dan K]

I'm happy to help. It's always about the time............

Well if they are all 12cm there would be 24 in the kit. 20 to a box for Veteran. Is there a place I can find out?

Well, I think you can get away with what you've got. In looking at the (authorative) Gran Prix Shuppan illustrations for Hiryu, it appears that Fujimi has erred in specifying thirteen of the 12cm binocular mounts atop the compass bridge deck roof. See p2. It looks more like ten of the 12cm, 2 of the 8cm, and one unidentified unit. That could be a compass binnacle.

L44 looks like it might be a deck winch - I agree. I really need to pull the model out tonite to confirm all these things
M21 - 2kw daytime running light
M23 - 2m navigational rangefinder
M10 - looks like small hooded air intakes
M39 - hooded flood light for illuminating flight deck for nightime ops prep
M40 - ditto
M43 - ditto
Q19 - not sure yet
O4, O5 - 30cm signalling light
O6 - 110cm searchlight (but need to confirm)
O8 - not sure yet

[Angeliccypher]

Thanks for looking into this for me. Looking at the pictures it appears that three of the 12cm are the type 13 look out with binoculars. The center forward on the bridge and the two lower level as well.

[Dan K]

Everything that I listed is confirmed. O8 are 60cm searchlights.

OTOH, I have no idea what Q19 is. It looks like some more of the small platform supports, but I don't recognize it, and I can't find it on the instruction sheets to place it in context. Do you see it on the instruction sheets?

[Angeliccypher]

Page 8. Step 7.

[Dan K]

I have not a clue as to what it is. It does not appear in any set of plans or photos, for Hiryu or any other CV. Doesn't mean it didn't exist; I just don't recognize what it might be.

I will probably not include part Q19, whenever I get around to my build. Unless some reference surfaces.

[bmkerr]

Hi guys,

Can anyone tell me the Hiryu AA guns configuration in Feb. 42 during the raid on Darwin. I've managed to lose all my parts for my 1/700 Aoshima kit (No.219).