Hey Everyone,

Now that the Dragon Z32 is complete and based on my plan to develop a dual ship diorama I have decided to build the IJN Destroyer Akigumo using Tamiya's 1/350 Kagero kit. The IJ Akigumo escorted Carrier Division 5 during the attack on Pearl Harbor. My Pearl Harbor build will be the IJN Aircraft Carrier Shokaku however I plan on combining both ships into a single diorama. So with that in mind I started the IJN Akigumo.

As I stated, I will be using the Tamiya 1/350 IJN Kagero kit.



along with the Infini Kagero Upgrade kit.



Initial look at the Infini kit revealed a high qualify kit. It comes with two sheets of etch and a ton of turned brass. I will be conducting a detailed review and posting to this site.

Well not to be deterred I already began. The kit comes with the option of a full hull or waterline. I can never seem to bring my self to building the waterline version, even if it means struggles with the seascape.

Here is the hull.



One thing that I thought was impressive is the hull stiffeners. They have the ability to be cut down if in fact the modeler decides to build the waterline version.

Anyway, here they are installed.



The next step was drilling out all of the portholes along the hull and gluing the sides on. The hull sides are split port and starboard. The fit was great and I had little trouble attaching them.



I have already moved on the deck but it is hidden under some clamps so pictures to follow.

Well I hope that everyone is interested. Comments, suggestion and criticism are always welcome.

Dave

Looking forward to your little combined fleet build Dave! Fine choice too! Interesting PE set...I have not come across Infini as of yet! Be sure to share some thoughts once you crack into it! Couple more days til the campaign...very excited to get things underway here!!

All right, the paint on your last ship is not completely dry and here we go with the next project on the shipyard!!

Interesting boat and an very interesting detail set, I am really curious how this Infini set is like - I bought their easy cutting board, and that'S pretty cool stuff and useful!

Of course I am in and following!! Looking forward to your build, Dave!

Cheers,
Jan

I'm interested!

Following along Dave

Todd, Jan, Russell,

Thanks for following, I promise to make this enjoying and a hell of a lot shorter than the Z32.

The Infini Kits are amazing. They are highly detailed and provide a lot of turned brass. I will provide more detail soon.

The build continued, I have attached the deck.



The next thing I did just so I could show the detail of the Infini kit was to build the depth charge rack.

So here are the turned brass depth charges



detached



The end caps for the depth charges



As you can see there is a little divot in the back side of the caps. If you leave enough of a nub on the end of each depth charge it help center the cap. needless to say I did not do this which is evident the final depth charges.

Here is the rack



Now here is the completed kit with the kit part as a comparison.





A little more work and it will be complete.

I hen began to work on the bridge.



and with some PE





Here is the depth charge rack dry fitted to the deck



Here is the bridge dry fitted





Well that is it for now. More to come this weekend along with the launch of the Shokaku build.

Hope everyone has a great week.

Dave

Very nice Dave! The new charges are a huge improvement! Moving this one right along now! Couple more days and we can run with the campaign!

Great progress Dave!

The depth charges rack doesn't look all the bad from the kit - I've seen lot's worse - but the PE is a huge improvement over that!! Really looks like the Infini set is a fine set! I'm looking forward to your progress and seeing more of your fine model and the PE set!

Cheers,
Jan

Looks great already and the PE really enhances the detail.
You're definitely swaying my Pearl Harbour campaign build choice in the direction of a ship.
As it would be my first small scale ship I'll follow your progress with great interest

Hi Everyone,

The Akigumo is slowly coming together. Now with the Shokaku filling the dry dock the Akigumo has taken a little bit of a back seat.

Even with that here are some updates.

I continued adding the PE port holes along the bridge.





Here is the rear structure



and an overall shot...everything is dry fitted



Sorry for the glare in the pictures but the morning sun is a pain.

Anyway, I am trying to dedicate equal time to both ships...we will see how it works.

More this weekend.

Thanks for stopping by, as always comments, suggestions, and criticism are always welcome.

Dave

Hi Dave,

Great work so far, have the Kagero in the stash, considering the infini upgrade, looks impressive.

Cheers

Si

Nice progress here Dave

With 3 drydocks/slipways underway, I bet you've got your hands full

Si - The Infini kit is extremely impressive. The price is reasonable and the quality is high. While they are not as extensive as the Pontos kits they are comparable.

Russell - The slipways are keeping me busy but I like the challenge. Having a full year to complete both comes in handy though.

Dave

Thanks Dave,

Will take a look at picking one of those up, and will be keeping a close eye on this build.

Cheers

Si

Si,

I highly recommend in. The PE is sturdy and the instructions are pretty good.

I spent some time in the dockyard this weekend.

Here is the mid ship with the aft bridge.



PE added to the aft bridge





Here is the aft torpedo storage





A little closer look.



Here is the kit quadruple torpedo launcher before PE.





Now with parts of the PE added





There is much more to add to the launchers and a second launcher to build.

Well that's it for now, hopefully with a lighter schedule this week I will get to spend some more time on the bench.

Thanks for stopping by and as always comments, suggestions and criticism are always welcome.

Dave

Nice work Dave,

Serious etch happening to the TT's mate, the Infini does look very good, OK I am totally convinced now.

Cheers

Si

Ahoy Dave

I just love these destroyers and their linoleum decks.

This build is shaping up very well thus far.

Cheers


Sean

Making some great progress on this Dave!! Clean PE work my friend!!

Gents,

Thanks for the comments. Got some time on the bench today so will have another update soon

Dave

Hey everyone,

Well the reduced schdule has given me an opportunity to work in the yard the past couple of days. So here is an update.

More PE has been added to the quad launcher. I kind of cheated here by not removing the molded on detail for the railings. I wanted to make sure they were straight and in the end I don't think it takes away from the overall look. I'll let you decide.





Next up is the aft torpedo storage. I used veterans 2M range finder instead of the kit supplied version.





And now the bridge.





I picked up some Tamiya primer today with the intent of applying tonight. Not sure I'll make that happen but I am ready to begin applying some color.

Well that's it for now, Thanks for stopping in and as always cooments, suggestions and criticism are always welcome

See you again soon

Dave

Hi Dave,

Really nice work on the bridge and the TT's and their stowage, that is a lot of etch!

Looking forward to seeing more progress.

Cheers

Si

Hot Damn Dave....more fine work on the PE!! She's looking fantastic brotha'....keep it going!

Si / Todd,

Thanks for the comments. She is a pretty easy build even with all the PE.

I got a layer of primer on yesterday so am headed to the paint ship today to knock out the hill and deck. Color is coming!!

Dave

Dave,

wow - I missed out on quite a few updates and on a lot of progress here!! Great work, the PE looks really clean and spotless! And, your approach not to remove all the molded on detail looks really good to me, certainly does not take away from the overall impression!

Cheers,
Jan

Jan, thanks for the comments.

All,

Well since I was a little slow on providing updates this one will be a little lengthy.

I finally finished the first quad launcher. The top railing was a little bit challenging but the rest of it went together just fine.





The next step was adding the PE parts to the bridge roof.



Then completing the fire control tower



After that it was time to add a layer of primer. Instead of my usual Vallejo Black primer I opted for Tamiya rattle can light grey. I think it was easy to use and applied pretty smoothly.

The quad launcher



The Bridge roof



The hull



The hull with bridge and aft torpedo storage dry fitted



The next step was painting the hull with Tamiya Linoleum Brown, Tamiya Kure Arsenal Grey, and Vallejo Hull Red













Here is a top photo with the mid section dry fitted



The bridge and aft torpedo storage are glued to the deck.



I added the crew which consists of some Fujimi and North Star Figures. Either the figures are oversized or the bridge is too small. I had to sand the figures feet off a few mm's...still not sure the bridge roof is going to fit correctly. Guess we will see







I have since moved on to the aft funnel and the first paravane crane.





The paravane crane was a little challenging as the PE hinges broke due to all the required bends. But a little gator grip and it was back on track.

Well that's it for now but more updates are coming soon.

Thanks for stopping by and as always comments, suggestions and criticism are always welcome.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas.

Dave

Setting a blistering pace there Dave!

Very nice work might I add too!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas and best wishes for the New Year