IJN Hosho 1/400 scale

[Don Boose]

Very precise work on the 4.7-inch guns and enclosures. I like the treatment of the rolled up canvas. The pointy end is looking good.

Don

[Lex]

That's a point I haven't known before, good knowledge is essential to a good model

[Royaloakmin]

Its a nice detail, not often seen.

[CMDRTED]

Thanks again guys. There are a ton of details that can beincorporated into a design. Size of details are sometimes a hinderance, then also comes "can you see the details" Sometimes you have to look at the whole and ask yourself as a designer/builder does it look convincing and of course does it look good to you? Which brings up the next segment, the fwd hanger deck and details. Alot of these things are from the plastickit on the Steel Navy site. And of course the other details are "gizmology", the science of other similar things have this so it must be somewhat logical that so must this...

[Don Boose]

Wow! This is so good, Ted! The superstructure looks terrific. You have done a remarkable job of capturing the feel through the use of some very precise and fine detail coupled with graphics effects that trick the eye (the anchor chains are a case in point). The colors and tones really add to the realistic effect, as well.

Incidentally (and slightly off topic, since Hōshō wasn't there), last night the USAWC Campaign Analysis Course film was Midway, which is rather a pot boiler (and sure could have used some aircraft version control), but follows the sequence of historical events fairly closely (at least, the Fuchida Mitsuo, Nagumo, and USSBS interview of Japanese naval officers version) and we had a good discussion. Some of my colleagues may lurk in the Forum to take a peek at your build.

Don

[CMDRTED]

There might be a point of debate on the Hosho not being there. She wasn't with the Kido Butai? of the 4 main fleet carriers but she was with the invasion group and there is photo evidence that one of Hosho's recon torpedo aircraft filmed or took pictures of the burning "Blue Dragon" (Soryu).

[CMDRTED]

Next on the list is the fwd flight deck supports. These are progressively smaller going fwd supporting a 5 degree down angle on the flight deck. This didn't last long on the Hosho within 15 months the deck was leveled out. The pilots complained that any added speed going down the ramp was negated by the fact they couldn't properly judge the horizon coming off ship. Anyhows as this is the as originally designed version the numerous beams etc are at an angle.

[CMDRTED]

Just because the fwd deck was finished off. The railings were added as were the fwd gun houses. This was a bit tedious so the rest has to come another evening...

[Don Boose]

Beautiful work on the flight deck supports, Ted.

And you are right, of course, about Hōshō's presence with the Main Body force during the Midway Battle. I wrote too hastily and with insufficient thought. Incidentally, and certainly relevant to this thread, Anthony Tully (co-author of Shattered Sword: The untold story of the battle of Midway) has put together a Pacific War tabular record of movement for Hōshō:Imperial Flattops

I know that you know this, but I add it for any who are following the thread and may want to know more about Flying Phoenix's wartime adventures.

Can't wait to see the flight deck in place.

Don

[CMDRTED]

Small progress, the after supports are pretty much a larger version of the fwd supports with the ends capped with little rectangular pieces. This is done because on a profile view it would seem a hollow support instead of the simulated solid. Not a bunch of progress but....