Hello all: This will be a build thread for my latest vessel, the IJN Yahagi light cruiser. It will conform to MWC rules. Before I begin, I know I've started quite a few boat projects over the past few years. You can probably find a few of my abandoned build threads on this very site. However, the addition of more builders/battlers in the area and regular MWC-IL meetings have really motivated me to complete this vessel.
MWC-IL Build Meeting - 2/19/2011 The Strike Models Agano hull/deck kit with penetrable windows marked: Drilling holes at the corner of each window: My Yahagi sits atop Aaron's USS Iowa with Ethan's SMS Scharnhorst to the port side:
MWC-IL Build Meeting - 3/26/2011 Attempting to locate the optimal position for the inner shafts: Finding a good location for the cannons to breach the deck/enter the superstructure: Another group shot with Aaron and Ethan. I think I'm lagging behind in terms of making progress on the ship:
April-May, 2011 In March, I converted an unused bedroom into a warship workshop. So far, it is working fairly well. The inner shafts after being fiberglassed into the hull: The inner shafts/propellers from behind: ...and from the side: I'm currently beginning to design the rudder using the method Bob Hoernemann describes in his 'How to Build a Warship' video: I've also made some barbettes from 1.5" PVC:
Looking great, John! I just recently got my outer shafts into my Iowa hull, as well. Looking forward to our next build meet!
Excellent, my favorite light cruiser. I have a hull sitting on the shelf awaiting completion. It is third on my list of ships to complete following my Nagato and Zboat. I look forward to reading about your progress. I think strikemodels either has turrets or will have them soon for it. What size props are you using?
Thank you. Funny, I've got a Nagato hull on my shelf awaiting completion of the Yahagi. I also have a Zboat hull somewhere in the basement I've been thinking about getting rid of. I may check out Strike for the turrets. However, I also picked up a Hasegawa 1/350 IJN Yahagi plastic model kit as reference when I bought the hull with the intention of casting my own (hopefully nicely detailed) superstructure. We'll see how that goes, though. The props are BC 1.25", 3-blade, and if I remember correctly, 25-pitch.
If I remember correctly, the scale sized props are right around 1" in diameter, maybe a little less. That is the size I will be using. One day we will have to see which turns and accelerates better. I've got a tamiya 1/700 Agano and some miyuzaki? japanese 1/200 agano plans for reference. The plug for the hull was made from the jap planset. I think you can pick up a copy from Pacific Front Hobbies fairly cheap. They have a lot of detail and some nice isometric views for the superstructure that make it easy to figure out.
I know the plans to which you are referring and they are very nice! I have their plans for Suzuya, Kongo and Hyuga. However, I'm currently trying to play it cheap and am just using the 1/350 side/top plans that came with the Hasegawa model which, as far as I know, should probably be fine for a model combat ship.
I'm interested in the kongo rudder size (and so are a lot of other people). I bet they are a lot bigger than the standard class 4 twin rudder size which is 1.875 square inches. I only have one reliable source so far (polish) and the miyuzaki plans would make a second. Could you check?
Based upon a very quick analysis, it's close. Here is a quick picture: This is, of course, in 1/200 scale. So, I estimate the rudder is < 1 7/16" long and < 7/8" tall in 1/200, giving < 1.996528" long x < 1.215278" tall in 1/144. It isn't, however, square so we must subtract area. I assumed triangles in the upper-left, lower-left and lower right-hand corner, leaving the upper-right hand corner as a 'fudge factor', which were approximately: Upper-left: .260417" x .347222" Lower-left: .520833" x .694444" Lower-right: .260417" x .520833" in 1/144 scale. These triangles would subtract an area of 0.587746 sq in from the initial rectangle (2.426336 sq in), giving 1.83859 sq in. A more accurate scan/conversion to 1/144 may yield different results but I don't have time at the moment. Hope this helps.
Interesting. The polish plans show the rudder as slightly longer and the back edge having less curvature. If I'm lucky I may find a picture one day. Not sure any survived the war though.
I measured the planset I have and it converts to 2.2008 square inches in 1/144. (Class 5 twin rudder area is 2.25 square inches per rudder) I did a slightly more accurate subtraction of the corner area, by measuring the radius of the curve, subtracting the size of a square and a circle using that diameter and dividing by 4 since there is only a quarter of a circleon each corner. I also used calipers to get a closer dimention estimate. Center of the bottom left circle from my planset would be about half an inch closer to the bottom left corner on yours. Google showed no known pictures of the stern of any Kongo class in drydock. Its been 5 days since your last Yahagi update, any progress to report?
I'm certain I have a plastic model of Kongo somewhere but I think it may be a waterline kit. Anyway, I'll look for it this weekend and see if it contains any pictures or schematics of the rudder. There are also some good Japanese modeling books sometimes available on Ebay but those could be quite pricey. Sorry, no progress to report at the moment. I did some work on the rudder but nothing to write home about. You'll find that I'm quite the slow worker when it comes to this stuff but hope to be done for the 2012 battling season Besides, I spent the non-rainy part of the weekend planting tomatoes, jalapenos and herbs in my garden.
The most reliable way to speed up construction is to work on it every day. Even if it is only a couple of minutes. You will find you get the little stuff knocked out quicker that way. My Nagato is at about the same level of completion as your Yahagi right now, but I expect to battle it at the IRCWCC Nats in 7 weeks. Hopefully with a superstructure that isn't made from dixie cups. I bet you could get the Yahagi ready for a Fall regional battle this year if you work on it a little bit every day.
I don't get to work on the MO everyday . I try to get at it at least once a week sometimes twice. Those times I sometimes can get 2 hrs others just an hour. Just keep at it.
Totally agree with Ron! Even 15 to 30 minutes a day will keep things moving and keep the builder from stalling out on the project. At times, it is amazing what can be done in 30 minutes.
I think the "work on it every day" advice originally came from DW Fluegel. ALL the Fast Gun guys really owe him a debt.
That was the advice my pops told me before he passed away a year ago. He asked me "How's the Indy doing?" when I went to visit him at my ma's during hospice. Told him not so good.. gave all the excuses.. helping ma, going to school full time and work full time. He was an avid RC plane builder. He told me it was time to enact "Purple Plan 15". I was like WTF? He said just work on the model 15 minutes a day you would be surprised.. and added w/ his typical smirk.. "I always added the officious name to make it seem all the more important!". Finally been doing that the last 2 months on my Indy guess I should post an update on it. Morale to the story.. do the 15-30 min a day but add an officious name to it.. like Operation Overdrive or something..
