Review of the model IJN HOSHO 1939 from Fujimi:
Building the model:
Hull:
I
most say this kit is very well made, with many fine details such as
eyebrows over the portholes. The bow has all the right details too.
The fit of the parts all over the could not have been better. A nice
feature is the bottom of the water line hull is glued inside the hull
sides.
Deck:
The deck is very crisp in details as every wood plank is moulded in
scale. In the front quarterdeck, the anchor chains is also moulded
fine as well as all other deck parts. All the drums for the rope was
used as they where. Just painted white to show canvas covers. Please
bear this in mind: it's a small ship.....But with many parts! Be
prepared to attach a lot of swan neck / other vent's on the lower
deck etc. Just to cover it all up later, when the flight deck is in
place. This was also the excuse for me, to let the bridge "in mould
windows" be where they where - The windows only needed some dark paint
and gloss varnish.
Guns and boats etc.:
I
will like to thank Fujimi for all the fine details on optical parts, floodlight's
(clear plastic) and binoculars too! Lots of fine boats with in
mould oars and fenders.
The kit comes with high quality guns. The main 5.5 inch guns have
barrels to scale, but their rear are "closed" so I painted this part
white, to show some canvas in this all grey superstructure and hull.
The kit comes with many boats - too many in fact - In the building
instruction show the boats hanging in davits AND placed on deck.
This should only has been shown as a option. The 25mm AA guns
included in the kit is fantastic - (The gun barrels) the supporting
base have one seat moulded in behind the barrels - easy to correct -
I have used the guns from the kit. This is a nice feature from
Fujimi as extra 25mm guns purchased, is becoming an ewer increasing
price factor building IJN 1/700 model warships.
Scratch building parts and PE-set's:
This model kit is in such high quality that PE-set's used are at a
minimum. Beside from the small amount of railing, propellers for
aircraft, IJN crew, and ladders. Only flight deck features such as,
arresting net and side netting for safeguarding the aircraft in
heavy seas are used. Fujimi made a special PE-set for this ship, but
at a price as high as the kit itself. Also a wood deck set are
available from the company. All in all the modeller have a wide
range of choice to make this little model a fine showpiece. The only
scratch building I used, was the mainmast and some other minor
parts.
Aircraft:

Aircraft included in the model kit Type 95 in the foreground
Conclusion
******
4
stars out of 6 for: Very fine details, superb fit in parts + a fine
sheet of decals to deck and aircrafts. But with only 4 aircraft
included in the kit. (2 x type 92 + 2 x type 95 aircraft) - The
aircraft is moulded fine, with the new type of clear plastic -not
the old stiff one, hated by fellow model kit builders. I would have
given this fine kit 6 stars, if more aircraft was added the kit, But
the bad error made by Fujimi ....The real Type 95 aircraft has a
wingspan of 10 meters...the models wingspan is 25mm equal to scale
1/400! Not acceptable in a scale 1/700 kit.
Technical specification 1939:
Launched 13.Nov.1921 at Asano Dock,
Yokosuka
Completed 27.Dec.1922
Decommissioned Jun. 1946
Dismantled in 1947
displacement: 10,500 tons full load
length: 168 m
beam: 18.00 m
draught: 6.17 m
ship horse power: 30,000 Shp.
speed : 25 knots
main guns 4 (4x1) 5.5´ = 14 cm, 50
caliber
12 (6 x 2) 25 mm AA guns
15 aircraft (9 x type 95 fighters + 6
x type 92 torpedo bombers)
crew: 550
References:
Books form my own library:
 |
Japanese Naval
Warship Photo Album Aircraft carriers
from Diamond Sha books.
(Japan)
Reference:
Picture |
 |
Samourai sur porte-Avions
LELA Presse
(France)
Reference:
Drawings, pictures, background and aircraft markings |
 |
Perfect Guide, the
aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy & Army
(Japan)
Reference:
History, background, pictures, model |
The building time was 12 days.
Aeronautic Nov.18
2011