I have recently been acquiring a number of 1/1200th-scale models of Imperial Japanese Navy warships. It started when I bought a model of IJNS Fuso (a Fuso-class battleship). This was for sentimental reasons, as I ‘commanded’ her during the famous Madasahatta campaign.
(35,900 tons; 25 knots; 12 x 14-inch guns, 14 x 6-inch guns; 8 x 5-inch AA guns; 37 x 25mm AA guns; a catapult & 3 floatplanes)
I then bought some smaller units, the IJNS Yubari (a one-off light cruiser), …
(3,587 tons; 35 knots; 6 x 5.5-inch guns; 12 x 25mm AA guns; 4 x 24-inch torpedo tubes)
… the IJNS Shimakaze (an experimental one-off destroyer), …
(3,048 tons; 39 knots; 6 x 5-inch guns; 6 x 25mm AA guns; 18 depth charges; 15 x 24-inch torpedo tubes)
… and IJNS Asagiri (a Type II Fubuki-class destroyer).
(2,090 tons; 38 knots; 6 x 5-inch guns; 18 depth charges; 9 x 24-inch torpedo tubes)
I have now added to this collection by buying the models of a Kongo-class fast battleship …
(36,601 tons; 30 knots; 8 x 14-inch guns; 14 x 6-inch guns; 8 x 5-inch AA guns; 8 x 25mm AA guns)
… a Myoko-class heavy cruiser …
(14,980 tons; 34 knots; 10 x 8-inch guns; 8 x 5-inch AA guns; 8 x 25mm AA guns; 8 x 24-inch torpedo tubes; 2 catapults & 3 floatplanes)
… an Aoba-class heavy cruiser, and …
(10,822 tons; 33 knots; 6 x 8-inch guns; 4 x 4.7-inch AA guns; 8 x 25mm AA guns; 8 x 24-inch torpedo tubes; a catapult & 2 floatplanes)
… Isuzu, a Nagano-class light anti-aircraft cruiser.
(5,570 tons; 36 knots; 6 x 4.7-inch AA guns; 50 x 25mm AA guns; depth charges)
I also have three more destroyers on their way to me. They are IJNS Fubuki (a Type I Fubuki-class destroyer), IJNS Amagiri (a Type II Fubuki-class destroyer), and IJNS Hatsuharu (a Hatsuharu-class destroyer).
All I need now is at least one aircraft carrier to complete my Imperial Japanese Navy task force.
A fine collection! As for me all the ships I have for this period are courtesy of the Axis and Allies game.
ReplyDeleteMark Cordone,
DeleteCheers! I do have a few of the smaller Axis & Allies ships, but with my banana fingers, 1/1200th-scale models are much easier to handle.
All the best,
Bob
BOB,
ReplyDeleteA very good collection of 1/1200th ships. Do you have an American Fleet to go up against the Japanese? Cheers. KEV.
Kev Robertson (Kev),
DeleteCheers! My likely 'opponent' has a large collection of US Navy ships, so I don't need to buy any ... yet! (I do have a couple of Enterprise models in storage that I could build in the future.)
All the best,
Bob
Very impressive Bob! Err, just asking, now what about their opponents?!!
ReplyDeleteSteve,
DeleteCheers! I do have a couple of Enterprise models in storage but at present, any 'opponents' will need to be provided by other wargamers. That said, I may well acquire some US warships in the future.
All the best,
Bob
Very nice little task force, Bob. I think the 1:1200 scale is a very good one for naval war games, as the playing units are big enough to have the sort of 'presence' I find visually appealing and practical.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Ion
Archduke Piccolo (Ion),
DeleteI totally agree. I’ve tried wargaming with 1/600th, 1/700th, and 1/3000th-scales, but on balance, 1/1200th is by far and away the best scale … if you have the space. The models are substantial but not too large, and have enough detail without being museum/collector pieces.
I did toy with making some ‘Chubby’ models - and may well still do so - but as my most likely opponent has a whole load of USN ships in 1/1200th, it made sense to buy enough ships to give the Japanese a fighting chance.
All the best,
Bob
What make are they?
ReplyDeleteNigel Drury,
DeleteThey are a mixture of makes, including Superior and Viking.
All the best,
Bob
I have a spare Nagato which I think is by Superior if you're interested.
DeleteNigel Drury,
DeleteI certainly am! It would be give me a formidable battle line to take on the USN.
All the best,
Bob
Are you likely to be at the wargames show at the RE Museum tomorrow?
DeleteNigel Drury,
DeleteUnfortunately no as I am taking part in the WD AVG.
All the best,
Bob