Greetings everyone.

I'd like to introduce myself (hope I've picked the right category) .. I'm a danish modelbuilder getting extremely close to the 30 years. I've enjoyed the hobby since I was 9 or so.

I started out building more or less everything, but for the last 15 years I've concentrated more or less on SciFi- and movie-related models .. Today most of the genres I build originates from Japan (Maschinen Krieger, Anime/Manga figures, Gundam) .. I guess I'm somewhat a Japanophile.

For a couple of months I've had the urge to try and build something from a totally different genre .. Not that I want to drop the current genres, but because I'd like to try and build something "real", which I can research from a more historic point of view.

I've ordered a set of Japanese Light Armoured Vehicles .. just to get an idea of what those armourbuilders digg so much ?!?!

But the genre that I'd really like to build is ships ... I've always liked ships, and in my youth I researched the USS Missouri alot .... I remember I worked on blueprints for a 1/150 Missouri.

But as I mention (sorry if this introduction get a bit boring ) I'd like to try and build (at least) a couple of ships (I really hope to get hooked on the shipbuilding) ... and when I browsed a couple of catalogues, to look for some kewl ships, I instantly fell in love with the IJN Mikasa .. I just have to build her .. She's got "ummmmmphh" ... (again the Japanese theme )
I'm also very interested in IJN Maya, IJN Nagato and IJN Heavy Cruiser Atago.

Let's get to the bottomline ... I hope to get the 1/350 Mikasa + hopefully some etch at my 30th Birtday in a month .... What I'd like .. is advises on how to attack this kit .. not modelingvise .... but more related to research and such.

Perhaps some pointer about books, magazines or websites, where I can learn more about Mikasa ....

Also, if I at this point don't have any specific wishes concerning her configuration, which PE set will then suit best?

- Lionroar
- WEM
- the 2 Hasegawa sets

Also .. what was the major differences in the different configurations of Mikasa?

I hope You'll help me getting started in this genre of the hobby .. and I hope that I can add something to the group .... and that I can soon start to show some interesting IJN projects

Best regards:
Niels M. Frederiksen
Denmark

Hello Niels

First, I would like to welcome you to MSW
Second, and regarding the Mikasa, the hasegawa model has a booklet (japanese writen) with the history of the ship, with some photos and diagrams...
There's also a japanese Model Art Special Warship Magazine Nº 16 dedicated to the Battle of Sea of Japan, where they have the Mikasa in both 1/350 and 1/700 (from Seals Models).

PE sets kind of compliment each other - some have better things that others (the usual!!)

Also, the Mikasa is now a Museum, so it would be easy (sort of) to find photos of it.

Hope this helps,
Rui (aka Skipper)

Well, hello and Welcome to Model Shipwrights Niels!

Glad to have another ship builder in the waters, mate, good to have you on board...The Mikasa, eh? A fine ship, and a fine kit from Hasegawa....will make for a very interesting build, as well!



Honestly, mate, it all depends on 1.), what you're specifically looking for in an aftermaket kit, and 2.), how much you want to spend....




My best advice about research mate is to get as much as possible on your subject before you start building...try a google search, you'll be surprised at what you can come up with...there are also many available books on the subject, and also a good set of plans in scale of the original ship is not a bad idea either...good luck, and hope to see more of you around!

Cheers,
~Gunny