Ahoy Shipmates!

Join me for a review of Hasegawa Models IJN Akagi 1/700 Aircraft Carrier as we round out the life cycle for this iconic ship.


Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.


Link to Item

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hi Jim!





Well, I have to agree with you regarding the ups and downs on this kit. But has you so well mention, there are several dedicated AM parts (all in PE, with one set including resin parts, to my knowledge), that cover from flight deck to girders, and make it possible to have (in the future, for me) two Akagi's with high quality standing next to each other - the early and the late versions.

As quick note, here are a few links for the available sets (that I know of, of course - if anybody knows other please post them here):
Hasegawa PE Set

Lionroar PE Flight Deck with resin parts

Eduard 1/700 Akagi Set (2 sheets)

Tom's Modelworks IJN Aircraft Carrier sets (two different sets) It has parts for the Akagi

Gold Medal Models IJN Aircraft Carrier Set As with the above mention set, it has parts to replace the plastic parts.

Not mentioning other generic sets (railings, miscellaneous, weapons (PE or Resin), crew members, etc), with some extra work, we can have a good looking carrier in the end (and your wallet lighter too)
Thanks for the review!


Rui

Note: I wonder if making the two Akagi's at the same time would bust my moral? Working on the jewell, working on the "dog", working on...

Thanks for the list of AM items Rui.

I figured why not carry her all the way though.

Wow, Jim, what a great review/ warning! Hasegawa's got a new 1/700 kit of her in this fit coming out, and can see why! After your review, I think I'll wait for that one...

That would be sweet. I might wait for it too. I wish they would do that to their Kaga though. I really love that carrier but the kit leaves alot to be desired. Maybe one day....

and there's also the... IJN Ryujo
(taking cover)


Rui

I'll champion Taiho: now that was a lady with grace!

--Karl

Thanks for the review Jim, and thanks Dade for the confirmation that a new tooling Akagi will soon grace us. 350th Akagi, not so sure.... 700th Akagi, a certainty!

Frank.

Sometimes these older kits will shock you. Other times, well.....

Glad you guys like that one. The base kit is decent, but not even the same class as today's kits.

Hi Frank,

Yeah, I'm feeling the same way. That 1/350th rig is calling out to me- especially those PE girders. But the 1/700 version just seems like a better fit for me. Unfortunately, the 1/700 release time has remained vague and despite the kit being in the works, there has been no formal announcement of a release date. So I guess we'll just have to keep occupied with other stuff in our stashes until then.