1/35 Kaiten

[cjwalas]

Just downloaded this free Kaiten kit from here;
paperhobby: kaiten 1:35



I don't know a lot about the Kaiten series, but I'm a sucker for mini-and early subs. I've built the Renova free Kaiten and it was a joy to build. This is a smaller model with no hull formers;



This kit also comes with a moving/launching wagon.
Should have more on this soon!
Chris

[Don Boose]

Nice work, as always, Chris!

Lots of good construction pics and background info at the paperhobby site. I see that the model is based on the Kaiten at Yasukuni-jinja.

Don

[cjwalas]

Yes, I thought this looked like the museum photos I've seen as well.
Just for clarification, the first photo is not my build, but the one on the website.
As I'm fighting a cold at the moment, I should have some time on this today. I've started and found a slight misalignment in the main section of the hull. One side is just slightly longer than the other, but hopefully not enough to make a difference.
Chris

[cjwalas]

Worked a bit on it. There seems to be an issue with the main section. I lined up the tab and front end, which seemed to fit well;


But when I got to the rear of the piece, the fit was off;


You can also see in this photo that the stringer is too large to fit the ID of the hull piece.
But the main hull does go together nonetheless;


Here's another shot with scissors for scale;


There is something that I can't figure out. There are three different length strips that are meant to be glued to a section of the aft end where there are markings for placement. All of the markings are the same length, while the pieces are not. Only one of them is the same length as the markings.


I don't see any clarification on the assembly diagram. Anybody have any clues?

Chris

[cjwalas]

I still haven't sorted out the three strips, but everything else is done. There's another issue on the wagon; the section that fits into the curve needs to have the tab slotted;



There are a few pieces that don't seem to match the diagram, but it shouldn't stop you finishing the model;



And here is the 1/35 Kaiten compared to the larger Renova (1/25th I think?);


So despite the issues with the kit, they are all rather minor and the kit builds into a simple but good looking model in an easy afternoon. My thanks to the designer for making this a freebie!
Chris

[Fishcarver]

This is cool, at least in as much as a human-piloted torpedo can be cool, I suppose....

For info, start here. I have read this book: it is excellent. Sort of gives you the idea of where Al Quaeda, etc got their inspiration.

Kamikaze Submarine

Jim

[tekzo]

nice build cjwalas, sorry for the miss part and confusing diagram...hope I can make it better.
regards,