1/350 Tamiya IJN Kagero

[Tim Reynaga]

I’ve almost got a complete set of you fingerprints could you balance the next item in your thumb please

LOL! It is funny, I actually moved from 1/700 to the larger 1/350 thinking that at twice the size I'd escape some of the tinier details, but of course the larger the scale the more details become visible...

Maybe I should just go smaller:



Not including the airplanes, this little Italian aircraft carrier from GHQ consists of only three parts!

[ShaunW]

Wow, more fantastic (very) tiny parts craftsmanship, Tim. I bet you can see things at the cellular level with those modified specs Talking of cellular level, that carrier is something else!

[Tim Reynaga]

Thanks Shaun. Going a little bigger...



The kit foredeck is credibly executed, but the details are simplified.



Aftermarket to the rescue!



Five Star Models makes some beautiful replacement mooring bitts especially for 1/350 scale destroyers – these are what Five Star calls the “large” size!





Also test fitted here are the jackstaff from the Infini set, two tiny Five Star resin roller chocks, a sea bollard, plus brass ventilator and capstan parts. The handwheels are Infini, and that stunning 3D printed anchor chain is from YXModel.

[iggie]

The chain is printed?! Good Lord
This technology is getting very impressive; do you think it'll catch on?

[JohnRatzenberger]

Just catching up and I am impressed as usual. Envious also, glasses or not this sort of work seems to be beyond me.

Model ship-wise, I have come to the realization the the larger the ship, the smaller the scale is better. Conversely, doing a small ship in a small scale has resulted in one of my better models (a 1/700 Flower), so go figure.

Oh, and my lesson learned - things like the davits which are folded over - do not think you have to fill and file the seam between the folded halves .... crumpled mess is the result :(

[ShaunW]

More wonderful work with the AM parts, Tim. Some of those brass parts are really lovely and it almost seems a shame to paint over them!

[Stuart]

The superb work continues! Very inspiring stuff!

No fair, your bionic glasses are better then mine!



What do you use to modify them - I see you've glued extra lenses on?

[Tim Reynaga]

The superb work continues! Very inspiring stuff! No fair, your bionic glasses are better then mine!
What do you use to modify them - I see you've glued extra lenses on?

Exactly. I removed the lenses from a second pair of Dollar Store readers and taped them over the first to double the magnification. They are simple and work great! Total investment: two bucks (U.S.)

[Stuart]

The superb work continues! Very inspiring stuff! No fair, your bionic glasses are better then mine!
What do you use to modify them - I see you've glued extra lenses on?

Exactly. I removed the lenses from a second pair of Dollar Store readers and taped them over the first to double the magnification. They are simple and work great! Total investment: two bucks (U.S.)

Awesome idea!

[Tim Reynaga]

Yet more aftermarket:



The kit rangefinder is not bad, but Five-Star’s resin and brass replacement part is better scaled and more delicately detailed. The real fittings came with either square or rounded style hoods, but we don’t have any photos of Kagero showing which type she carried – so rounded it will be!





Here it is test fitted along with the Infini brass etch above the aft torpedo reload stowage.

[B4en]

Sheesh, Tim you have some patience on top of the rest.

Mind you Stuart's Viking handaxe of doom on the wall in the post above is something of a distraction...

[Tim Reynaga]

...Mind you Stuart's Viking handaxe of doom on the wall in the post above is something of a distraction...

Good point! It nicely offsets the geekiness of those doubled-up glasses...

[ShaunW]

The Five-Star replacement range finder is certainly an improvement, Tim. I wouldn't want to bump into Stuart of Valhalla in a dark alleyway wielding that thing. Or perhaps he keeps it there to ward off critics of his models. You have been warned

[Tim Reynaga]

The Five-Star replacement range finder is certainly an improvement, Tim. I wouldn't want to bump into Stuart of Valhalla in a dark alleyway wielding that thing. Or perhaps he keeps it there to ward off critics of his models. You have been warned

Thanks Shaun - and no criticism here; Góðan dag, Stuart!

[Stuart]

Lol!!! It's not just the axe, there's the two swords and the collection of longbows as well Mind you, I don't mind a bit of criticism!

That rangefinder looks awesome!