Adrian Smith

Done. It's here: -Adrian

Hi everyone. I apologize for the lateness of this post - I had it bookmarked but as you'll see in the next paragraph there are reasons for it. My wife is in the US Navy and we've *just* returned from our second tour in Yokosuka, Japan. I got back three weeks ago and got Internet access (and my computer back from our household goods shipment) yesterday. The base is a 10-minute walk from the Mikasa and I've spent many a day there wandering her. I became good friends with CAPT Kouta, the president of the Mikasa Preservation Society, and he and I spent quite a few hours discussing the ship, her construction, and her history. I have a collection of around 400 high resolution photos I've taken of her from stem to stern the past few years, including the still accessible below decks areas. It's a big set but I'll put it up on my Google Drive and send the link to anyone who might be interested. Anyone can email me at adrian.smith1@yahoo.com if you'd like the link to the photo set. It may take me a few days - I'm still unpacking. CDW, your Mikasa is gorgeous. I plan on building the same kit with the Pontos PE in the next year. Thanks for you build log! The only thing I can offer immediately is that I built the Hasegawa 1:350 Mikasa a few years back and presented her as a gift to CAPT Kouta. He immediately took great pains to point all that I'd done that was historically inaccurate! LOL! His biggest gripe was my paint scheme - I'd painted her in the black hull and striped stacks. He told me (and I have no reason to doubt him) that the ONLY time she was painted in this scheme was immediately after her launch in 1900 and during her transit to Japan. As soon as she arrived in Yokohama she was repainted in her grey scheme. I look forward to being part of the community. Thanks! -Adrian