IJN Isuzu 1945 by RGL - FINISHED - Aoshima - 1/350 - PLASTIC - Light Cruiser

[CDW]

That's a bunch of small detail. Looks great!

[BANYAN]

Those covered comms or Electronic Warfare (EW) domes (assuming that is what they are on the rear corners) seem a little advanced for WWII era Greg? - was this destroyer fitted as she was at the end of the war?

Nice work on the super detailing.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

Pat, they aren't covered domes, they are just platforms that will have binoculars behind them (I think that's what you mean), the radio DF finder is above it, and I've scratch built a vent that appears on the Morskie plans. The radar is in the back ground and the top bridge is done (if that's what it's called). 

 

Im now working on the very top range director that will go on the tripod mast, once that's done I'll fix up the mast itself and I think it'll be ready for a lick of paint. 

[popeye the sailor]

very nice progress Greg........looking real good with all that PE  

[RGL]

Pat, is this what you meant? I included a picture from one of your Navy text books. 

[RGL]

Foremast range controller and platform complete. Added a few details to make it look a little better. 

 

The platform itself has a PE deck and rails as part of the upgrade, with triangular gussets underneath it, and the railings sand additional gussets were shaped on brass rod to make the circle. 

[BANYAN]

Hi Greg, sorry mate i thought it was resolved when you pointed out I had mis-identified the items.  The items I was referencing to are those circled in a pic of yours I have edited.  At first glance they looked a bit like a an EW equipment that emerged just after the war and I thought perhaps the Japanese were the first to use/invent it. I am wrong there I think.  As you pointed out, these are the base for binoculars or some other equipment?   Sorry to have confused the situation.

 

Great diagram BTW  - those were interesting Reference Manuals; ; the Admiralty Manuals of Seamanship (and the USN equivalent) are particularly useful for steel navy ships if you can get your hands on them - they were updated (new editions) every few years.

 

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

Yes mate, they are the pedestals for the fire controllers that I will plonk on top when I paint them. I have added hatches behind them otherwise one could not climb into them! 

 

I think EW was pretty rudimentary at this stage in 1945 as the IJN was struggling to keep its head above water! 

[RGL]

I'm sorry to bore people cluttering up your feed, but..it's a build log! Dryfit of the forward tripod mast to see how the balance is and I'm pretty happy, sanded off the ladder rungs which I will replace and the radio mast to go (which, I have lost or didn't get so I replaced it with a spare brass mast. 

 

Starting to come togeather. 

[CDW]

There's going to be a night and day difference between the stock kit and what you're building. 

[RGL]

Finally the radio mast! Just have to prep up all the binoculars and fire control sets. 

[RGL]

About 60% of the deck fittings ready for the primer coat. It's amazing how all the detail gets away from you. Not included  (nor started), lots and lots of guns and vents, 3 stacks, davits, stanchions and awning stanchions, depth charge stuff. 

 

Airbrush comes out tomorrow......

[cog]

"I think EW was pretty rudimentary at this stage in 1945 as the IJN was struggling to keep its head above water! "

Thought that were their ships not turning into subs

 

Wonderful work on the masts, super structure, and all the other giant details

[Eddie]

Hey howya goin Greg mate, shes looking good mate.    

[RGL]

Three shades of grey later, (the photo does not really show it), now I can paint the Lino decks and the wooden bridge floor grates. I'm hoping the filter will bring out some contrasts before pin washes then weathering. Let's see. 

[popeye the sailor]

look'in really sweet so far!   when all those parts come together......are those sandbags falling off?

[RGL]

Apparently they are sisal bags, and yes, but there is a lot of glue involved. When finished I will run some thin line around them to represent rope. 

[Old Collingwood]

Looking great mate - your attention to detail is  amazing  you have this knack of making the hardest thing look easy, and the end result is perfection.

 

 

OC.

[WackoWolf]

Where did you get all the sand bags from???

[RGL]

Mr Wako, they are from Alliance Modelworks but quite expensive so I am really going to have to figure out a way to make my own. 

 

I have added a neutral grey filter filter which appears to have worked as advertised. 

 

I then painted and washed the sisal bags bags and dry brushed them, and painted the dodgers white and gave them a brown wash and dry brushed white over it. 

 

Now ow I can start to thrown the bits and pieces on, and weather it when it's all togeather. 

[WackoWolf]

No need to call me mr. I work far a living once, 3 years 5 month and 22 day and then gut hurt. And then had to get a real job instead of party all the time.

[cog]

Didn't we all Joe

 

See you still use Vallejo products ... Your three shades of grey look a bit yellowish on screen, Greg ... like you spraid sand all over. With regards to the sand bags, I thought your wife stiched the bags, and you had your children fill'em up, whilst you were supervising ...

[RGL]

Only the airbrush thinner and cleaner 

[RGL]

Slowly layering up, I've added the housing and cupboards for this back deck from scratch, the added the MG controllers, the deck hatch and ladder, the hid it with the bridge deck. I've added the binnacle and ships wheel, binoculars and search lights. 

[RGL]

And the top deck plus radar, more binoculars and railings

[RGL]

Radio direction finder, tripod mast and mast placed. I have not glued it to the deck but it's the only way I can get it to align. A bit of touch up then weathering. 

[cog]

Very impressive Greg. You've made quite some way! A pitty that blow up finger keeps on appearing in your pictures.

[BANYAN]

That is some very impressive detailing Greg.  A closed in bridge on a 'tin can' - they had some luxury there

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

There's some footage of one of this class of cruiser on Utube where the decks are covered in ice, that would be over rated with an open deck. 

[RGL]

Weathering on the bridge is done, rust, grime and salt. I reckon I'll just leave it alone now as I'm tempting fate as I'll stuff it completely.