Hi everyone , first post here!
I'm thinking about picking up Hasegawa's Nagato Battle of Leyte Gulf (probably from HLJ), I was wondering if anyone else has built or is building Nagato, and what they think about her!
The CAD lines on the hull are a bit unfortunate, but I just love those late war IJN battlewagons (I'm having a great time with Haruna at the moment).
Also, what does everyone think about HLJ's service (I've always bought from brick and mortar stores before)? How do they compare with hw japan or White Ensign Models?
Any help would be great

i USUALLY USE Hobby world Japan and have been happy using them until the yen jumped. As to the Nagato, a few have built it, I have it but not planning on doing it for a while. As to the cad lines. One guy got some spray Mr Surgfacer 1000 and sprayed it on the hull to fill in the cad lines then gentle sanding to even it out. It looked pretty good. I plan to do that to mine when i work it

Hi Steve,
Cheers for the advice . I read about the Mr Surfacer solution too, seems like a bit of shame to have to sand away at the hull of an AU $300 kit!! Its really weird how Hasegawa put raised lines on the original hull (that look good, a la Fujimi) and then recessed lines on the bulges that were added during her reconstruction in the 30s . Oh well. I'm trying to toss up between Nagato and Akagi for my next project ... gotta finish Haruna first (i've read/been inspired by Dade Bell's awesome build log/review). Akagi looks awesome though (and suitably scary with all the PE)!!

I'm starting my Akagi in January for the Aircrft carrier campaign. I am a bit intimidated by the PE too. Right now I'm doing up some aircraft for it. Don't feel this violates the rule of the campaigne as that is the ship and these are aircraft (LOL). If you haven't already done your buying yet. The Initial strike at Pearl Harbor was 27 kates 15 with bombs and 12 with torpedoes. 9 Zeros escorted. I bought Fujimi aircraft to supplement the ones with the kit (Hasegawa) Persohnally I like them bettr. The hasegawa have 5 pieces versus 2 to do the basic plane (Props and wheels seperate. I was unhappy with the rear wings on the Hasegawa as they like to droop Missing some great decals with the Fujimi however. The tail strpe. Problem with buying the Hasegawa is you spend a hell of a lot more and get a bunch of Vals which you don't need. I also have the Soryu, so the Vals will go there.

I built the 1941 Nagato and Mutsu already. These are two very nice kits, with detail similar to the new Fujimi models, but, compared to the Kongo, much easier to build.

I built Nagato out of the box but did try some puttying and sanding with the Mutsu, took some time but it looks considerably better. The lines are still visible, but only if you look for them.

I also plan on building the 1944 Nagato, should have done so in the first place. I like to have one early and one late version of each class, which means Mutsu early and Nagato late in this case.

I think you'll have a lot of fun with it.

Hi guys,
Thanks for the replies I've trying to decide which of these ships to build next - too many nice kits out there I love the "porcupine" look of the Leyte Gulf Nagato (with all the radar and light AA), and it would look pretty fantastic with all the Hasegawa detail sets (they cost a pretty penny though ). But akagi is an amazing kit - it'll be great to see some pics of your one when she's finished Steve . I'm still waiting for that Hasegawa 1/350 Kaga and Fuso as well...
PS. BTW Steve which manufacturer made your Soryu in 1/350??? that sure would be something

Angus, there is no Soryu in 1:350 at the moment and Hasegawa will not be the one releasing a Fuso.