Intro…
Here is the Fujimi version of the IJN Myoko in waterline version. This is a companion review to go along with the Hasegawa IJN Myoko 1/700 written by Dariush.
Hasegawa Review
This will provide the builder with two choices, one of the high grade kit and this one for the waterline kit.
The Ships Specifications…
Class and type: Myōkō-class cruiser
Displacement: 13,300 long tons (13,500 t)
Length: 201.7 m (661 ft 9 in)
Beam: 20.73 m (68 ft 0 in)
Draft: 6.32 m (20 ft 9 in)
Propulsion: 4-shaft geared turbines
12 boilers
130,000 shp
Speed: 36 knots (41 mph; 67 km/h)
Range: 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) at 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Complement: 773
Armament:
10 × 203 mm (8.0 in) guns (5×2)
6 × 120 mm (4.7 in) guns (to 1934) or 8 × 127 mm (5.0 in) guns (from 1935)
up to 52 x 25mm AA
2 × 13 mm (0.51 in) machine guns
12 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes [1]
Armor:
Main belt: 100 mm (3.9 in)
Main deck: 37 mm (1.5 in)
Turrets: 25 mm (0.98 in)
Barbettes: 75 mm (3.0 in)
Aircraft carried: 2 / 3
The Kit…
The kit comes packed in a nice lidded box with a painting of the IJN Myoko heading out into harms way.
The Hull
The hull is molded nearly in one piece. Only the forward section of the deck needs to be added. The hull is loaded with some rather nice details. The ships degaussing cable is represented around the hull. Portholes, watertight doors, and even the ships screw guards are molded nicely as well. There was some small bits of flash in one of the torpedo bay openings.
Sprue A
Here we find a major portion of the ships decking and superstructure parts. The decks have the standard lines found when linoleum is present. The rails on the flight deck are also present as are the turntables. These are standard and not the best looking. The other sections of the superstructure have portholes molded into them. The other details of the superstructure, ladders and drain pipes, are however missing. Gun tubs have gussets molded under neither them. The funnels do have the proper piping molded along the outside. Some of the platforms have ejection pin marks on the upper sides, so those will have to be cleaned up.
Sprue B
This is where you will find the ships aerials and raised platforms. These are actually done nicely. The ships crane is molded in two sections. Just be careful when removing these so you don’t break any.
Sprue E & F
The upper sections of the superstructure are here. These different parts have stands for binoculars or range finders already molded in place. Turret number 3 is separate from the other weapons sprues. I guess since the ship has 5 turrets instead of 4.
Sprue H
More turrets and the ships torpedo tubes come on this sprue. Not only are their torpedo tubes, but there are also extra torpedoes for reloads. The barrels do have attachments points about half way down their length, so be careful removing them. You also have the 27mm AA weapons here are well. The main turrets are lacking external details like ladders and thermal protection.
Sprue S
Here we have many of the smaller weapons of the ship. These are finely done and delicate. You also have davits, boats, aircraft, range finders, and radar. Most of the pieces are nicely done. The catapults are solid as is the radar masts.
Decals
One sheet of decals is provided. The markings are for the ships aircraft and boats.
Instructions…
The instructions are printed on one large sheet of paper printed front and back. They do follow a logical assemble sequence. There is also a black and white painting guide.
