IJN Fuyuzuki [Modelik 1:200]

[Lex]

A revised radar is installed on the main mast. I think this was actually the 'heavy cruiser' variant but found its way on the Akizuki class nonetheless, as photos can confirm.

The circular finder antenna is installed midships

What's visible of the tripod mast is installed behind the bridge, as well as some detailing on the face of the bridge itself. A pair of spotting post were added

[Lex]

As I move along slowly, what started as a build turned into a quest for naval and marine knowledge. I found myself realising this is a ship before it is a warship, and a lot of what's on the ship isn't cutting edge naval warfare equipment but rather... things that were a necessity of day-to-day living at the sea.

A set of oars are added to the boats. The rails for the torpedo trolley are also installed but by mistake I made them to be taller than what they actually should have been. Then there is also a ring of metal 'guards' around the deck to guide where any water falls off the deck. I think they add some detail to the bare deck, their shadows are worth much more than any printed details.

[Don Boose]

This is world-class ship modelling, Lex!

It's a real pleasure to examine these images. As you say, one can learn a lot about real ships by designing and building, or in my case, looking at, paper models of ships.

Don

[Michael Mash]

That radar shows paper modeling at its best.
Great work Lex.
Mike

[Lex]

Thanks, Don, Mike. It's been quite a journey for me too, in deciding to resume this build my repertoire of reference materials quickly swelled up. I have now gained just a little knowledge on where to look for such information on IJN ships, for other navies my knowledge is still very much blank. I might need to ask around more in the future.

[Olo]

Hello Lex , I just found your build ..What an amazing build I am really impressed the way you cut all the crates and radar parts .... Maybe you could share your secret with me so I can do the same for my Yukikaze ship Great work

[Lex]

Thanks, I have answered your question in your post. We are actually trying to produce standardised laser accessories as we build our own models, but that is in the far future.

[Lex]

No update on this for quite a while. I have been doing things on the turret (more on that in another post). But today is not about that.

A friend in the community suggested to me I should finish the Fuyuzuki as quickly as possible and move on. He said it will be useless to spend any more effort on this build, given its quality. His words were blunt but he meant no offence: he has known me for almost 10 years and told me that his standards for me will be different to his standards towards a newcomer. (Not being a hypocrite, he did not think twice when he binned his own Fly Model Nagato and Halinski I-19, regarding them to be substandard builds.)

I knew what he meant. The hull had unsalvageable issues. In a previous post I have discussed the issue with the hull:
Everything above waterline had no internal support. The humid episode in the garage took its toll and the skin is visibly wrinkled. Also, my attempt at weathering the portholes clearly did not help. The underwater hull with the added rib support survived much better.

I certainly do not intend to give up the build, but must the face reality here. Off goes the waterline, I will be rebuilding it.

[Olo]

so sorry to hear about your accident LEX ...your model looks great and I know you will managed to fix the side of her.... I am waiting for final pictures of her

[PAPER FAN]

Lex, I have had that issue with humidity from time to time. Living in North Carolina doesn't help. The real issue is the paper absorbs the moisture and expands. This is worse if the hull sides are installed on a dry day or in a air conditioned environment then is exposed to humidity. The paper will actually revert to its assembled appearance if the model is re-exposed and allowed to dry out in dry air. I now mostly skin my hulls in the opposite setting, basically not in an air conditioned environment.