IJN Fuso 1944 by wieslaw_ - Halinski - 1/200 - CARD - with 3D print

[wieslaw_]

Hi everyone.
 

I would like to present you with a slightly shortened version of the progress report from the construction of my paper (and 3D printed) model of the IJN Fuso battleship in 1/200 scale.
I will make a short introduction to bring you up to date. I started this model around January 2010, which was a long, long time ago. Unfortunately, every time I tried to return to this model, I always had some personal issues in my life.
The hull was based on a cardboard model from Military Model No. 1-2/2007.

Below are some photos of how I started and where I was at the beginning of 2022.
 

Hull frames:
 

 

After a lot of work, I finally got a base shape:
 

 

 

Wooden deck:

 

 

Hull ready for painting:

 

 

 

 

 

Hull painted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

Below are my first Sonic Mini 8K prints:

 

 

On the Olfa Cutting-mat with a centimeter scale:

 

 

I started making the funnel superstructure and the details on the deck:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some photos of the funnel and 3D printed parts before being placed on the deck:

 

 

 

 

[ccoyle]

Fantastic work!

[wieslaw_]

I'm still in the process of making the funnel superstructure. I did come across a small problem with a template that was too short, but I've managed to solve it. To make the "vents" I used Mr Halinski's phenomenal set of photo-etched parts dedicated to this model.

 

 

 

 

Funnel steam and smoke pipes. I made them in 3D based on Fuso's monograph from the Anatomy of the Ship by Mr Janusz Skulski. The pipes themselves could've been made from some wire but I didn't have any at that time.

 

 

 

 

Next, I managed to make the platforms for the searchlights, and I tested the railing templates I had printed. I think that they passed the test. To make it more detailed, I added overlay covers with rivets on them. Let's say it's just a small experiment of mine that should give results when it comes to the wash at the end. I still have to do two more small platforms on the sides of the funnel and two radar antennas.

 

All the elements of the front platform:

 

 

Assembled platform:

 

 

Railing template:

 

 

All the parts in place without glueing:

 

 

 

Painted platforms:

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

The funnel superstructure is finally finished. Next, it's time for the rear tower superstructure. I saved the pagoda for last.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BTW sorry guys for my english but I'm not a native speaker.

[wieslaw_]

I want to show that something is going on in the Fuso build, trying to "close" the aft deck.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

Slowly going forward...

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

Already in place...

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

Another small step to "close" the stern deck.

 

 

[wieslaw_]

Next step in my build, for a long time it'll be my last Japan Battleship...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

127mm AA guns...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

next small parts...

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

The state of the model as of early 2025: I’ve almost finished all the tiny details, and to be honest, I’ve had enough of them, so I’m looking forward to taking a break from those. The goal for the coming months will be the guns, followed by the bow superstructure — the feature that makes this battleship so distinctive (some people love it, while others turn it into memes).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[wieslaw_]

Hey,

 

Since the beginning of the year, I’ve been working on the main artillery for IJN Fuso. Below is a brief summary of the past three months.
In the first photo, you can see the barrels from Haliński's accessory set (I’ll talk more about the barrels later), along with additional parts that I designed based on elements from the model but printed on a 3D printer.

 

 

The next two photos show all the elements of the turret frames, plus the axes—already removed from the supports—on which I’ll mount the barrels.

 

 

 

I sanded down the clamps on the barrels that held the training mechanism mounts because, they would have interfered with fitting the skirts, which I wanted to print in resin.

 

 

Here’s an issues with the barrels: one of them was 0.8mm shorter, so I had to extend it to match the length. The barrels also had slight differences in diameter, which made fitting the skirts quite a challenge.

 

 

 

Ballast in the turrets—here, I admit I borrowed the idea from polish forum.

 

 

The next few photos show the underlayer and the assembly of the main components.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also started assembling the rangefinder covers. To help with this, I designed and printed a small template to achieve the correct profile of the covers (probably thermal covers?).

 

 

 

Since the entire model was going to be painted, I wanted to add more texture, so I also printed the sheet metal joints with rivets.

 

 

 

AA gun platforms.

 

 

 

In these pictures, you can see a screenshot from a fabric simulation program (Marvelous Designer). If anyone’s interested, I can write more about it later. The advantage of this approach is the realistic-looking skirts; the downside is that the barrels can’t be elevated. You can work around this somewhat by printing skirts in different raised positions, but they’ll still be fixed in place. However, I find this solution interesting and worth considering.

 

 

 

 

Once I had added so many details to the turrets that handling them without breaking something became impossible (I think I broke the ladder railings about ten times), I finally decided to print a stand for the guns, which allowed me to continue working on them.

 

 

The guns assembled and painted.

 

 

 

 

After weathering.

 

 

 

and in place...

 

 

 

 

 

The next stage is the main superstructure—the famous pagoda.  Enjoy watching!

 

[wieslaw_]

I decided to copy the whole build thread from another forum, so sorry for dropping so many posts one after another. From now on, I’ll be updating this thread more regularly.

Edited Wednesday at 09:21 PM by wieslaw_

[ccoyle]

15 minutes ago, wieslaw_ said:

I decided to copy the whole battleship Fuso build thread from another forum

 

Would that happen to be one of the Polish forums? I check the gallery at Kartonowki often, but since I can't read Polish (except for very basic modeling terms like drut or klej ), I don't visit the others regularly unless I am looking for builds of a specific kit.

[Dziadeczek]

An exquisite workmanship!

I regularly see your updates on the Polish Koga forum. 

Everybody, keep in mind that this is a paper (mostly) model!  Hats off!

Thomas

[king derelict]

Wonderful details, the funnel is magnificent. Congratulations 

alan

[wieslaw_]

14 hours ago, ccoyle said:

 

Would that happen to be one of the Polish forums? I check the gallery at Kartonowki often, but since I can't read Polish (except for very basic modeling terms like drut or klej ), I don't visit the others regularly unless I am looking for builds of a specific kit.

Hey,
No, it's not the Kartonowki forum — unfortunately, I don't post my build logs there. However, you can find me on Konradus or Kartonwork.

[yvesvidal]

Fantastic workmanship Wieslaw. Just amazing.

 

I could not believe my eyes when I saw your "paper" hull !!! That is just incredible.

The blending of "paper", cards and 3D printed parts (that you are designing yourself) is the way to go and your model will be ten times better and more precise than anything Trumpeter could come up with, if they ever decided to do a Fuso battleship.

 

You truly are an artist and I hope you find the stamina and dedication to finish this incredible and so unique model

 

Yves

[wieslaw_]

Thanks a lot for the kind words @yvesvidal. This model feels like my own personal Sword of Damocles – a challenge I’ve set for myself, and this year I’ve decided it’s finally time to finish it. I’ve already got the next project in mind, so it’s about time to wrap this one up – new builds are waiting just around the corner!

[yvesvidal]

On 4/9/2025 at 5:12 PM, wieslaw_ said:

I decided to copy the whole build thread from another forum, so sorry for dropping so many posts one after another. From now on, I’ll be updating this thread more regularly.

 

Wieslaw,

 

I have two questions for you:

1. Which forum did you use to publish your work in Poland or northern Europe? I would love to follow your work there and get into more details. Is it the Polish Koga Models forum?
2. I hope you have kept a library of all your 3D designs for that battleship in 1/200. Is this something you may consider sharing with other modelers or even sell? The Halinski card kit may be a good base to start this model, but all your added pieces are turning it into a museum quality model.

Thank you for your time.

Yves

Edited Friday at 04:41 PM by yvesvidal

[Landlubber Mike]

Wow, what an epic build at an epic scale - this is looking fantastic, thank you for sharing your build here.

[wieslaw_]

On 4/11/2025 at 6:39 PM, yvesvidal said:

1. Which forum did you use to publish your work in Poland or northern Europe? I would love to follow your work there and get into more details. Is it the Polish Koga Models forum?
2. I hope you have kept a library of all your 3D designs for that battleship in 1/200. Is this something you may consider sharing with other modelers or even sell? The Halinski card kit may be a good base to start this model, but all your added pieces are turning it into a museum quality model.

 

Hey,
 

1. When it comes to the forum, the most complete version is probably on "Kartonwork" – here's the link:
https://kartonwork.pl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14818
 

2. Yep, I keep my 3D models on a drive and sometimes share different kinds of models with the Model-Hobby.pl store. Not trying to sneak in any ads here, but since you asked – yeah, some of my models are up on their website.
 

Of course – thanks a lot for the nice words about my models!

[ccoyle]

I'm using some 3D-printed parts from Model -Hobby for my Halinski A6M5a build (link in signature).