IJN Yamato 1945 by CDW - Pontos - 1:700 Scale - PLASTIC

[CDW]

I was intrigued to learn that Pontos would release their first injection molded kit with a 1:700 scale Yamato 1945 version. When the kit became available through one of my favorite online suppliers, Freetime Hobbies, I grabbed one before they are gone. 

The hull is molded in two halves and the plastic looks very sharply detailed, on a par with the best kits out there. Then there is the Pontos magic with a super extensive machined 229 piece brass, and photo etch detail sets as well as a wood deck set. Also included are two full color posters suitable for framing. The instruction booklet is comprehensive, printed in color on heavy gloss paper. Just 47 fun-filled steps will take the builder from start to finish of this epic model in 1:700 scale.

Rather than write a wall of text about this model, let’s just let the photos speak for themselves. If you want one of these, I recommend ordering one post haste as I have a feeling they will quickly become hard to acquire.

 

 

[CDW]

If you look closely at the plastic parts trees, you will see it written 1:700 Yamato/Musashi.

This leads me to believe Pontos will later produce the Musashi as well.

 

Check out the detail that's packed into the biplanes. They are kits all to themselves.

Edited October 17, 2021 by CDW

[Landlubber Mike]

Hey Craig, nice to see you starting this kit.  I considered buying it but have the Fujimi kit with Flyhawk, Infini and Shipyard Works add-ons.  Maybe I’ll build the Musashi.

[CDW]

Just now, Landlubber Mike said:

Hey Craig, nice to see you starting this kit.  I considered buying it but have the Fujimi kit with Flyhawk, Infini and Shipyard Works add-ons.  Maybe I’ll build the Musashi.

I already had the Pit Road Yamato and Five Star set, but wanted this one anyway once I saw it.

[yvesvidal]

Craig,

 

another master piece in the making.... WOW, you sure are aligning those 1/700 scale ships at great speed.

 

I wish Trumpeter would produce a 1/200 version of that same monster, to replace the old and so incorrect Nichimo kit.

 

Yves

[Landlubber Mike]

3 hours ago, CDW said:

I already had the Pit Road Yamato and Five Star set, but wanted this one anyway once I saw it.

 

Would you say the Pontos set is a significant upgrade over the PR/FS kit and add-on?

[CDW]

Just now, yvesvidal said:

Craig,

 

another master piece in the making.... WOW, you sure are aligning those 1/700 scale ships at great speed.

 

I wish Trumpeter would produce a 1/200 version of that same monster, to replace the old and so incorrect Nichimo kit.

 

Yves

Oh yes, I was just thinking the same thing today. It would be an expensive kit I am sure, but would probably cost less than trying to buy the antiquated Nichimo kit then upgrading it. That old Nichimo kit is selling for upwards of $700 on Ebay these days.

[CDW]

Just now, Landlubber Mike said:

 

Would you say the Pontos set is a significant upgrade over the PR/FS kit and add-on?

I'll post some photos of the Pit-Road kit and FS upgrade set so you can compare the two.  

[RGL]

Wow

[CDW]

21 minutes ago, RGL said:

Wow

1:700 scale is getting exponentially better. I guess most everyone needs more display space. I know I do, so 1:700 is so much more practical for me.

[CDW]

The Pit-Road Yamato plastic is exceptional. Every bit as good as any Flyhawk kit I own. The Five Star detail set is mostly photo etch with main gun barrels and a few dozen resin pieces. Lacking are metal mast components and a wood deck. I think the Pit-Road kit will be a great model when finished. Even their AA guns are very well done in plastic.

 

 

[Old Collingwood]

Excellent stuff  - another subject to follow.

 

OC.

[Landlubber Mike]

Thanks for posting that Craig.  The 1/700 destroyer I finished earlier this year was a Pit Road kit and Five Star upgrade set.  I thought both were really nice.  The good thing about the Pontos set is that it's all in one, so hopefully you don't have to remove too many kit details to accommodate the PE.

 

By the way, you inspired me on the Flyhawk kits - I ended up adding the 1/700 Flyhawk Lutzow and Bismarck kits to the stash, and also ordered the Trumpeter Roma with Flyhawk upgrade set.  

[CDW]

Just now, Landlubber Mike said:

The good thing about the Pontos set is that it's all in one, so hopefully you don't have to remove too many kit details to accommodate the PE.

 

By the way, you inspired me on the Flyhawk kits - I ended up adding the 1/700 Flyhawk Lutzow and Bismarck kits to the stash, and also ordered the Trumpeter Roma with Flyhawk upgrade set.  

 

The Pontos model has a vastly superior set of machined metal parts. About the only thing you might want to add to it is a better display stand to replace the plastic one that's included, and yes, I think there will be less preparation needed for the plastic parts. The Pontos photo etch sheets are huge (see the photos of the construction manual).

Plasmo does an excellent video of the Roma with the Flyhawk set. It inspired me to buy them.

[Landlubber Mike]

Yes, I saw the Plasmo video on the Roma and was thoroughly impressed! 

[mikegr]

On 10/18/2021 at 2:15 AM, CDW said:

Oh yes, I was just thinking the same thing today. It would be an expensive kit I am sure, but would probably cost less than trying to buy the antiquated Nichimo kit then upgrading it. That old Nichimo kit is selling for upwards of $700 on Ebay these days.

this?

[CDW]

Here we go with the start of the build. As we examine the two halves of the hull, we notice it’s very well engraved but something is missing. It’s the portholes. With this kit, the photo etch sheet contains a dozen or more templates that align on each side of the hull to serve as a drill template for each and every porthole that was found on the 1945 version Yamato hull. This seems to be further indication that Pontos plans to do other versions of Yamato and probably Musashi later on.

It didn’t take me long before I broke my .5mm drill bit, but Amazon to the rescue, I ordered a couple of dozen more and they should arrive in a couple of days. In the meantime I will drill the portholes with my .35mm hypo needles and open the holes when the .5mm bits arrive. Lots of portholes to drill.

 

 

[lmagna]

Nice start Craig. Trying to punish yourself by starting another 1/700 so soon?

[CDW]

Just now, lmagna said:

Nice start Craig. Trying to punish yourself by starting another 1/700 so soon?

That self flagellation cult I joined called, 1:700 scale warship modelers, has a strangle hold on me. Hellllpppp!!! 🙂

[yvesvidal]

33 minutes ago, lmagna said:

Nice start Craig. Trying to punish yourself by starting another 1/700 so soon?

 

Obviously, he loves torturing himself, and the Yamato is the perfect device for that 🙂 It will be a long agony.....

 

Yves

[Canute]

You will go blind, building this one. Talk about one intricate ship model. But, I'll be here watching this with rapt attention. 😁

[lmagna]

38 minutes ago, yvesvidal said:

 It will be a long agony.....

Luckily just for him. I have come to rather enjoy watching OTHERS build these torture machines. Only causes me slight eye strain and hand shaking!

[CDW]

Just to make sure I have ample references to build the Yamato, and later the Musashi, picked up a copy of AOTS for the two. Some good reading here besides all the plethora of photos and line drawings. This book makes me a believer.

 

 

[mikegr]

On 10/18/2021 at 2:56 AM, CDW said:

1:700 scale is getting exponentially better. I guess most everyone needs more display space. I know I do, so 1:700 is so much more practical for me.

Nowadays kits in 1:700 are so advanced that can be almost comparable in details to their biggest cousins.

[Landlubber Mike]

Having completed a 1/700 destroyer and now on the home stretch with a 1/350 destroyer, I have to say, in some respects I like the 1/700 scale better in that the models are just a lot more compact.  Fewer individual PE pieces at 1/700 because you just have a single piece that you fold multiple times, versus trying to fold and attach multiple PE pieces to each other to build an item.  Also, the variety of 1/700 subjects is much greater than on the 1/350 side.

 

That being said, I have a few 1/350 kits in the stash.  I also have the Trumpeter 1/200 Bismarck with all the goodies from Pontos, etc., and wondering where I'll be able to keep it.  But, I would say that if you can build at 1/700 scale, the larger scales aren't going to be much of a problem.

[mtaylor]

6 hours ago, lmagna said:

Luckily just for him. I have come to rather enjoy watching OTHERS build these torture machines. Only causes me slight eye strain and hand shaking!

So the  builders at this scale are masochists and we're just voyeurs?     I'll go quietly now... just need to get my coat. 

[CDW]

I managed to break just five of the new drill bits I ordered while creating the portholes on one side of the hull. Half down, half more to go. 
 

 

[yvesvidal]

2 hours ago, CDW said:

I managed to break just five of the new drill bits I ordered while creating the portholes on one side of the hull. Half down, half more to go. 

 

So what is the ratio: 1 drill every three holes?

 

Yves

[CDW]

Just now, yvesvidal said:

 

So what is the ratio: 1 drill every three holes?

 

Yves

 

Since you asked, I had to count to see...182 holes drilled, broke 5 bits. So just a shade better than 1 bit per 36 holes. 😅

[yvesvidal]

That is a very good ratio. You are definitely an expert, with those microscopic bits.

 

Yves