Category: CompletedIJN

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1/700 IJN Chokai Heavy Cruiser [鳥海][重巡洋艦]

IJN Chokai, 4th ship of the Takao class. This model depict her early 1942 configuration prior to becoming the flagship of vice admiral Mikawa and the battle of savo island.

Build Log Part1



Conclusion:
This is by far the most difficult build i’ve done so far. Started 24-Oct-2020, slightly surreal to me it’s finally finished!
Despite the difficulties, i really enjoyed the build, and the result far exceeded my expectations. I’m super thankful that nothing went wrong during the painting process, if i damaged the model beyond repair i might be devastated XD.

And I must say Takao class does look very amazing and menacing, and the blue from the ocean really brings it to life!
I also must mention that I learned a lot from Studio Blue Ocean (YouTube), whom inspired me to put more effort into ocean base, I spend a week on it with multiple layers, really like how it turned out, the vivid blue is very satisfying to look at in person.

Also i know the scout planes are supposed to be scouting haha, i just find the model looks more complete with the aircrafts.

About the kit:
Fujimi kit’s has always been up there, although details are not as sharp as those on the newer tooled 1/700 ships (flyhawk, veryfire etc.), but it does provide a very solid foundation for improvements.
Also anyone wishes to build a 1937 Takao (1st refit) could use this kit, because other than some minor details, i did pretty much built a 1937 Takao.

Known mistakes i’ve made:

  • Hull panel lines are not accurate
  • didn’t use the corret PE for bridge window
  • possibly many incorrect vent placements on deck, i merely replaced the kit’s moulded vents
  • Wake pattern isn’t realistic

Despite the mistakes, i’m still very proud of the result. This build has the most detailing work i’ve ever done. The introduction to 3D printing has showed me many possibilities, i look forward to using it more on future builds.

Thanks for reading this blog!

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1/700 IJN Tenryu 天龍 (軽巡洋艦)

1/700 IJN Tenryu 1926 complete!
WW1 era light crusiers are my favorite ships especially those with triple or quadriple funnels. They are often sleek like destroyers but much longer, reminds me of those long and narrow fish.
The Hasegawa kit depicted Tenryu after her modernization in WW2, i had to make some light modification to revert her into the 1926 configuration, which is the one i like better and same as World of Warship Tenryu.
The ingame Tenryu provided good references for the rigging, as real photos of the ship’s rigging was very unclear and invisible most of the time.

Initially i wanted to quickly finish the kit and move on to the next build, the PE set from the kit looked minimal. But i paid more and more attention as the build went on, and i’m glad i did because every extra modification really make a difference in a simple looking ship like this.
In conclusion, i think this was a successful model project, i used some newly learned techniques and conquered the fear of using metal riggings.

Build log: Tenryu Part1

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1/700 IJN Yukikaze

  • I used Yukikaze by Hyun Soo Kim as a reference for the rigging

IJN yukikaze, Kagero class, one of the well-known destroyers in WWII, also called the lucky destroyer due to surviving numerous major battles while being relatively unharmed, after the war she was transferred to ROC and served until 1966.

Due to carelessness, i mixed thinner containing alcohol with lifecolor acrylic paint, the result was dark, sticky paint that nearly ruined the model. Lesson learned: should always test spray when using a product for the first time.
I managed to paint a third layer, covering up the mistake, but it also made some thin PE details look very thick.

First time weathering with oil paints, i think it turned out well. I was surprised how well oil paints sticks to the model, most of the white color was oil paint, they paint much better than the tamiya xf2 white, which gives me headache sometimes.

I added spare motor boats as the kit didn’t come with any. The motor boats are a bit larger than what they should have been, i would switch them out when i find suitable ones.

Overall if ignoring the paint clogging some of the detail, the model turned out pretty nice, maybe i could of painted the AA guns in a lighter color so it would be more visible.

Ocean Base:
On December 2020 months after the build, i decide to make my first ocean base and i chose Yukikaze to be the ship!
I follow the guide made by Jim Baumann, and it turned out beyond my expectation!

As the first base i made there are mistakes, the most obvious one is that there shouldn’t be wierd double waves, It was too late when i realized the issues so i just went with it.
I should also improve the bow wave next time, it’s abit too far ahead of the bow and spread out too much.
Unlike the guide i didn’t use cotton or fluffs, personally i dislike how waves made out of cotton looks. Instead i just use tissue paper hardened with super glue.
I used to prefer waterline models without ocean base for the clean look, but after making one myself it changed my perspective. Ships do look better with oceans after all!