Rebuilding the fleet by mikegr - 1/700 - restoring old plastic models

[Veszett Roka]

I think the torpedo tubes are bullseye hit. See them here

http://combinedfleet.com/torps.htm

[mikegr]

At my stash I had IJN catapults from Tom's Model works.

They were delicate and fragile to handle. After painting I test fitted them

 

Edited January 22 by mikegr

[mikegr]

On 1/22/2025 at 1:47 PM, Veszett Roka said:

I think the torpedo tubes are bullseye hit. See them here

http://combinedfleet.com/torps.htm

It seems that Takao class is using a different type of torpedo tubes and the shape of the room is similar. This confused me a bit

The Haguro class uses  a different weapon and the torpedo "cave" is just a rectangle

I ended up removing the wire and add some putty before paint it

 

 

[mikegr]

My PE set for triple AA guns are a nightmare. I designed my own, to replace the standard ones. That 2 cent coin looks so huge.

 

[mikegr]

I glued the AA guns, this model has 8 additional type 96 AA guns but these are double. I strip off almost anything to work better, some pieces left on hull need to cut them.

[mikegr]

The Funnel

 

I have some PE to enhance it but there are terribly delicate and hard to glue it, I'm not feel ready yet to use it

So I decide to use it 0.3mm wire both for sides and the cap. Some pieces were as short as 3 mm. Then I had to bend them slightly.

The final result after some primer application

[mikegr]

Next was the other funnel. It broke during removing it so I designed a new one and added the necessary details. After a primer coat both funnel and main stack were painted

For the bridge as you may noticed at first the top part is missing. After days of studying i found some drawings as well as a 3d model of Myoko at a later stage after modernization. 

I manage to design  several parts of the bridge separately in order to save printing time. After some test they fitted quite well. Not sure how much historically accurate but this old kit is not accurate either plus I added some detail.

Finally after priming and painting I dry fitted all the items together and overall the look was satisfactory

 

[king derelict]

You do a great job with the 3D printed parts Mike. They look great.

Alan

[mikegr]

On 2/11/2025 at 12:13 AM, king derelict said:

You do a great job with the 3D printed parts Mike. They look great.

Alan

Thanks 

This hobby becomes more complicated. Apart painting skills required, PE handling, rigging, soldering and other capabilities are needed.

[mikegr]

Next was the AA main battery. 

First thing was to make the base including anti slip surface and few other details. I made it in two pieces, the base and the supportive bulge

Next was the guns. Not many options to improve the standard ones so I had to designed from 0.

After several attempst they came out with good detail and after a light priming to avoid hidding micro details they were put in place

[mikegr]

I am going to use a PE set I got some time ago.There are, among others, supports for gun platform. But I don't see the platform or I lost it. However its on my drawings as part of the modernization of the ship. So I made a new one

Its long and thin piece and  will bend easily. so I reinforce it with a stripe of metal 0.20mm thick

Then, AA guns were glued. Some test fitting before prime it

These Fujimi PEs are detailed but also quite durable and hard unlike other brands so they are far easier to work with. I really enjoy fitting them

[king derelict]

Getting quite complex Mike. Very nice work.

alan

[mikegr]

On 2/19/2025 at 2:27 AM, king derelict said:

Getting quite complex Mike. Very nice work.

alan

Thanks for the comments

I decided to take my time and make a more accurate built after researching.

Japanese ships are very complicated because of  many modifications caused by Washington Treaty and their defeat at Midway.

The AA guns were landed the platform was for searchlights 

I also had to modify the bridge again. Maybe need to make some small corrections during main mast installation

 

[mikegr]

 

I also put bigger shields on deck for triple AA guns. 

 

 

There's no easy way out.

Need to make a new rear as well as main mast. There's none on PE set so must be scratched. 

Unfortunately I'm very bad on welding. Upon upon sanding the excess solder it broke. Need to find another way of making a precise and durable part.

By inserting the tiny ring I gave some place for the smaller pieces to sit on. CA glue did the rest. The support below gave extra strength. Quite pleased with the result overall. Move to finish the details.

It came out really nice. Some test fitting. I had to put something that to prevent it from falling in front because of the weight due to metal crane

A comparison to the plans 

For others it may be a daily job for me is one of my best achievements in modeling

 

 

[king derelict]

The mast and crane looks superb Mike. It came out really well and I share you dread of soldering.

alan

[Veszett Roka]

This is always reminds me a gossip in our modeling club. Some airplane modeler club came to friendly visit us, and shown a few of their model planes. All were first grade work, and we admire them. They told us that their usual scale is 1:72 or 1:48 because the detail. We laughed, and shown them our shipmodels in 1:350 scale. From that point the shipmodelers were considered as 'crazy gang'.

 

And Mike, you're working in 1:700.

[mikegr]

On 2/25/2025 at 4:44 PM, Veszett Roka said:

This is always reminds me a gossip in our modeling club. Some airplane modeler club came to friendly visit us, and shown a few of their model planes. All were first grade work, and we admire them. They told us that their usual scale is 1:72 or 1:48 because the detail. We laughed, and shown them our shipmodels in 1:350 scale. From that point the shipmodelers were considered as 'crazy gang'.

 

And Mike, you're working in 1:700.

Well yes 

I can see people complaining that working in 1/80 or 1/100 its too hard as this is a small scale.

However I believe in smaller scales its easier to hide imperfections, 1/700 is a quite forgiving scale. 

[Veszett Roka]

21 hours ago, mikegr said:

However I believe in smaller scales its easier to hide imperfections, 1/700 is a quite forgiving scale. 

Because very few people have a microscope in their pocket :)

[mikegr]

What a disaster 

That mast had wrong orientation. The upper part should lean towards the stern. Also the base at the tripod top should face the bow not the stern.

I simply cut it and remake it. It was moderately hard. Fortunately for this rigging  task, I use a wire 0.10mm  which is extremely easy to handle, very durable even very  thin. most important of all it keeps it shape

Nevertheless I had to make one more platform. Then a smaller one on top.

I also made a preparation for the sea bed. I bought a textured water effect paper because I want to create a specific scene.