PaperModelers.com

Go Back   PaperModelers.com > Card Models > Model Builds > Ships and watercraft

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 06-12-2010, 03:38 PM
Lex's Avatar
Lex Lex is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, Britannia
Posts: 1,691
Total Downloaded: 70.75 MB
Send a message via MSN to Lex
IJN Fuyuzuki [Modelik 1:200]

This is a build of the Japanese WWII Akizuki-class destroyer Fuyuzuki. This is my first cut on a real kit, previous times I simply scanned the original and reprinted in fear I might screw up everything badly enough. Thanks to ukpapermodels for the kit, I might add that the service is excellent.

I decided to build this in preparation for my own designs, turned out to be more painful than I expected. The print quality was excellent apart from occasional splotches of white. At a first glance it seemed like the model was computer-designed, so the fit should be excellent. - Not so... Will describe more as I move along.

The Akizuki class is quite a large design for a destroyer, size rivalling that of the light cruiser Yubari. (they often were actually mistaken as cruisers and bombed as a result). This class is designed to be an anti-aircraft destroyer, and is armed with heavy AA armament. However Japan was so fond of their T'93 oxygen torpedoes that they insisted on having one set of launcher on board. In combat they proved to be powerful adversaries against US aircraft, but their size and costly construction meant only a handful were produced. A number of this class who entered the war late managed to survive.

Fuyuzuki herself was launched in mid 1944, when Japan was fighting a losing battle at sea. Her moment of highlight was providing AA cover for Yamato on her suicidal assault. Among the rain of shells and torpedoes that day luck was on Fuyuzuki's side, and she was one of the few ships to come back from this mission (the other AA escort Suzutsuki was crippled and only crawled back two days later). Fuyuzuki hit a mine while under air attacks during the closing days of war and was disabled. Subsequently the ship was broken up, and the hull remained as breakwater to this day.







--One of the first things is I found one set of triple AA to be missing, enough reason to do a photocopy before making the first cut.
__________________
"The world is big"
On hold: Fuyuzuki, Zao, Zara, Akizuki,
Past works: XP55 Ascender, CA Ibuki, Seafang F32, IS-3, Spitfire V, J-20
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #2  
Old 06-12-2010, 03:49 PM
Lex's Avatar
Lex Lex is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, Britannia
Posts: 1,691
Total Downloaded: 70.75 MB
Send a message via MSN to Lex












The hull. Hull skinning had always been a headache for me. Hulls built as-suggested often ends up looking like bamboo, so normally some sanding, filling or painting is required. I am allergic to foam fillers and spray paints, but is not going to settle without a fight. So I decided on this rather painstaking process in the photo to give the hull some chance to look passable, and it worked out quite well.

- that is not mentioning the fit problems I encountered in the process. The fit is better than those hand-drawn kits, but the errors in some places still made me scratch my head. It seemed this design was concentrating down to the last detail on some places, but elsewhere simply skimmed past the surface.

[I apologise for the quality of the photos...]
__________________
"The world is big"
On hold: Fuyuzuki, Zao, Zara, Akizuki,
Past works: XP55 Ascender, CA Ibuki, Seafang F32, IS-3, Spitfire V, J-20
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-12-2010, 03:53 PM
Lex's Avatar
Lex Lex is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London, Britannia
Posts: 1,691
Total Downloaded: 70.75 MB
Send a message via MSN to Lex











I failed miserably at the waterline hull. I had hoped the paper was stiff enough to not make the internal bulkheads show through, I was wrong. On hindsight I should have used the same method which I used on the underwater hull.

There were also fit issues. I had to make strip papers for the bow and the stern. But this time the errors might have only been my own making and not with the design itself.
__________________
"The world is big"
On hold: Fuyuzuki, Zao, Zara, Akizuki,
Past works: XP55 Ascender, CA Ibuki, Seafang F32, IS-3, Spitfire V, J-20
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-12-2010, 04:20 PM
peter taft's Avatar
peter taft peter taft is offline
Forum Helper
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Nottinghamshire
Posts: 6,429
Total Downloaded: 168.03 MB
Well, whatever you say... and with the niggles you have, Lex !!! she looks mighty fine to me. I have never made a full hull ship yet, and when i do.... i hope it turns out as good as yours. We are all self critical of what we build - but you are doing a damn good job
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-12-2010, 04:31 PM
Gixergs's Avatar
Gixergs Gixergs is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Medway Kent UK
Posts: 2,382
Total Downloaded: 95.08 MB
Amazing build,beautiful finish to the hull,the extra effort really paid off.
__________________
Gee, I wish we had one of them doomsday machines
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
  #6  
Old 06-12-2010, 07:04 PM
Royaloakmin Royaloakmin is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Windsor ON
Posts: 1,320
Total Downloaded: 31.99 MB
Looks good, Lex, a nice, smooth hull.
__________________
Fred Bultman
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-12-2010, 09:47 PM
redhorse's Avatar
redhorse redhorse is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: McKinney, TX
Posts: 1,926
Total Downloaded: 0
This is a great start!! That triple A is really impressive!
__________________
Jim
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-12-2010, 10:28 PM
Yu Gyokubun's Avatar
Yu Gyokubun Yu Gyokubun is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Posts: 1,038
Total Downloaded: 0
Lex, you’ve done a great job
When I encountered finished paper model at a certain site for the first time what captured my interest was how to shape the paper that can be curved in one direction into 3D curvature. Since then I have been pursuing a technique how to achieve it because lumpy bamboo-like hull and airframe blows up a model even though detailed parts are nicely built.
Your beautiful hull will bring you success of entire ship
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-13-2010, 07:15 AM
Don Boose's Avatar
Don Boose Don Boose is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Posts: 20,702
Total Downloaded: 424.90 MB
This is beautiful work, Lex!

It's good to see another Akizuki under construction. You sure have some great paper mdoeling (and wire bending) skills!

Don
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-13-2010, 07:20 AM
rockpaperscissor's Avatar
rockpaperscissor rockpaperscissor is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: The thriving metropolis of Wappingers Falls, NY, USA
Posts: 4,539
Total Downloaded: 127.35 MB
Terrific job on the hull, Lex! I don't know how many ships you've built before, but from the results you've achieved, it looks like you've been a shipwright for your entire life. Nicely done.
__________________
Regards, Don
I don't always build models, but when I do... I prefer paper. Keep your scissors sharp, my friends.
Reply With Quote
Google Adsense
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 02:21 AM.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

Parts of this site powered by vBulletin Mods & Addons from DragonByte Technologies Ltd. (Details)
Copyright © 2007-2023, PaperModelers.com