¹⁄700

Build Up of the Tamiya 1:700 IJN Yamato

Superstructure

The base of the superstructure is one piece, this was a good implementation by Tamiya as it enables it to be painted separately from the hull without the need for complicated masking. I’ll complete each section separately and add details as I go between the main sections.




Main Bridge: There are two halves to the bridge tower, I first cut out the windows and vent areas and replaced the side window with Tom’s Modelworks ladders. The top combat bridge piece B34 had its windows carefully removed by a Dremel with a cutting disc. I then glued the halves together and puttied and sanded the seams on both sides. All molded port holes were drilled out and a few will need drilled per reference in the book. The upper combat bridge was then glued in place.




After the main pieces were glued I finished adding the windows to the lower compass and upper combat bridge. I then proceeded to slowly add model pieces, scratch built parts and photoetch around the bridge. The next picture will help identify what was done.




Rear Bridge: The two halves were glued together and the seams filled and sanded. Part A3 was added and the sides were puttied and sanded. Holes were drilled for the vents and the upper ribs made with thin stretched sprue. AA supports were made with cylindrical styrene. A Dremel with a cutting disc was used to remove the inside base area to make the piece more like the real Yamato. Holes were drilled and cylindrical styrene was carefully bent and cut to form the side pipes. Gold Medal railing was then added.




Funnel: The funnel halves were glued and the seam puttied and sanded. The searchlight base had very thin paper strips cut and added one by one to make the grills under the search lights. Paper doors were added and the back vent slightly drilled out. I also drilled out the searchlights then painted the insides of them a bright silver then made cross braces out of stretched sprue. Testors clear parts cement and windows maker was added with a pin. The windows maker shrinks quite a bit so several applications were needed to get the round lens look. The next few photos will detail what was added to the funnel piece.