"Snowy Wind" - Yukikaze: Tamiya's 1/350th Scale Japanese Navy Destroyer

TRM

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Kit Review:

Hobby Link Japan Build Series - Tamiya IJN Yukikaze

1/350th Scale Ship Series No. 20
Japanese Navy Destroyer Yukikaze

By Todd Michalak (TRM)


Kit Produced by Tamiya (TAM78020)
Originally release in October of 2008
Suggested retail price: $53.24 USD / 40.82 EUR
- Hobby Link Japan - http://www.hlj.com/product/TAM78020
Total finished length of model – 13.25 in./338mm

IJN Yukikaze History:

Yukikaze, meaning "Snow Wind" or "Snowy Wind" was a Kangero Class Destroyer. Her keel was laid down in August of 1938 in Sasebo Navy Yard, Japan. Launched in March of 1939 and finally commissioned in January of 1940, the IJN Yukikaze would eventually see battle from February of 1942 till her last mission in April of 1945.

Ship Stats 1942:

Displacement - 2,530 ton
Length - 118.5 m (388 ft 9 in)
Beam - 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Draft - 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Speed - 35 knots
Complement: 240
Armament: • 6 × 5 in (130 mm)/50 caliber DP guns
• up to 28 × 25 mm AA guns
• up to 4 × 13 mm AA guns
• 8 × 24 in (610 mm) torpedo tubes
• 36 depth charges

The Yukikaze's was often called "Lucky Ship", The Unsinkable Ship" and "The Miracle Ship" due to the fact of the ship returning from many a battle unscathed while the ships or convoys she was charged with escorting would sustain heavy casualties. Subsequently labeling her as a "bad omen" as well.

Stricken from the Japanese Naval Registry in 1945, she was turned over to the Chinese Government where she served in the Chinese Navy until about 1965 where she was placed into reserves. Being damaged from typhoon, she was decommissioned and finally broken up in 1970. In 1971 the Chinese returned her Rudder and one of her anchor to Japan.

Sources:
www.lowerre.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_destroyer_Yukikaze


In the box:


6 – Sprue trees containing 226 finely detailed parts
1 – Clear sprue tree containing 2 parts
1 – Base with small sprue tree containing finials for display
1 – Waterline plate for depicting the model in the water
1 – Hull Bottom for use with a display
1 – Bag containing: 2 Screws and 2 nuts for mounting the model,
2 Small chains for the anchors
4 Large Poly Caps for mounting the Main Turrets
8 Smaller Poly Caps for mounting the smaller guns
2 Metal propeller shafts
1 – Japanese Flag Sheet – Contains 8 Various WWII period naval flags
1 – Decal Sheet – Containing Ship identification markings and draft markings
1 – Aluminum Name Display Sheet – Contains ships name in both Japanese and English
1 – Photo-etch Sheet – Containing 32 parts including Radar, AA Gun Shields & Ladders
1 – 16 page set of directions for assembly of the model
1 – Color fold out painting and decal placement guide
1 – Storage and transport cardboard cutout

Getting a look inside the box:

Upon opening the box, the first thing that is noticed is the blue cardboard cutout with the silhouette of the Yukikaze. This should be saved. You can use this to either store the model or pack the model for transport. Directions for setup of this model holder are clearly depicted on the back of the color fold out painting and decal guide supplied in the kit.

After lifting the storage template off, reveals all the parts for constructing the model. This model can either be constructed as a waterline version or can be placed on the base stand included in the kit.

Each one of the 235 plastic parts for constructing and displaying this model are finely detailed. Little to virtually no flash is found throughout this kit. There are some pretty tiny parts included with this kit. Some care and patience will be needed in constructing this model, but even Out of the Box, this kit will build up really well.

Instructions:

The 16 page directions are clear a easy to follow. They also contain a nice description of the history of this vassal in multiple languages. Along with this, the color fold out painting and decal sheet that comes with the kit is a nice addition as well. Very easy to see placement of the decals, this also gives you a good idea on how this ship looks when painted.


There are some parts within this kit that deserve mentioning. First would be the Smokestack grills. These are molded really well with openings between the grills giving a more realistic feel to the tops of the stacks. Next would be the Captain’s bridge clear plastic piece. This gives a nice touch to the model without having to cut out the windows or color them to give the appearance of depth of the bridge. Next would be the searchlight. Two pieces, the light housing and separate lens make this a nice touch. Not having to drill out the light to add a realistic feel to it is very nice. There are numerous other parts that stand out as well, like the AA guns, the masts and deck tops to mention a few more.



Not so notable parts
:

There are few things I do not like about this kit. But there is two areas that stands out for me though; first would be the separate hull and waterline plate. I like the fact that this model can be made to look like it is at sea. If you intend to make this a static display attached to the supplied base you will need to apply a little more effort in the area along where the bottom hull meets the upper hull side pieces. Some filling and sanding will be required to reduce the seam. The only other thing that I noticed that could be improved upon is the lack of vertical hull plating joints on the upper hull as well as the bottom hull. This is easily corrected by marking and carefully scribing staggered vertical joint lines.

Conclusion:

All in all, this well made kit is what we have come to expect from Tamiya. The finely molded parts, fairly trouble free construction, easy to interpret instructions and some nice little extras, to enhance and already decent model. Well worth the cost and would make a nice addition to anyone’s collection.





Would you like to purchase this kit - Go to Hobby Link Japan HJL Product code - TAM78020

OR

Tamiya 1/350th Scale Ship Series No. 20 Japanese Navy Destroyer Yukikaze



Aftermarket and Special Detailing Parts:

Lion Roar Full Set Super Detail Photo-etch Upgrade

1/350 Barrels for IJN Yukikaze Class Destroyer (34pcs)

1/350 WWII IJN Railing

All these Items and more can be found at Hobby Link Japan - http://www.hlj.com/


Special Thanks for making this review possible:


Hobby Link Japan - http://www.hlj.com/
 
Hello Everybody,

I am finally getting started on one of my first builds of the New Year, Tamiya’s 1/350th Scale Japanese Navy Destroyer, Yukikaze I picked up from Hobby Link Japan. This build in it’s entirety will be only shown here on SMA.


So let’s dig right into this…

Here is a quick few pictures of what is in the box:

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First, after looking through the directions and getting familiar with the kit, I started right in working on the hull.


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First, I sanded down the hull a bit. There were a couple of pin marks and bumps that needed to be dealt with. In this picture you can see one, slightly different color, dead center on the picture.

IJNYukikazeprogress1011-Copy.jpg

After giving everything a quick wash to knock down some of the dust from sanding, I have to install the base mounting nuts. There are two of these. They fit nicely in two molded sections inside the hull. Each one of these mounting nuts has a covering cap that needed to be glued on. This keeps the nut in place after the weather decks are installed. First the holes needed to be fully drilled out before installing the nuts.

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Then I installed the nuts

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Once the mounting nuts are in place, I turned my attention to the bulkhead pieces that are supplied to keep everything tight and square between the lower hull and the upper hull sections. There are three of these that need to be installed.

IJNYukikazeprogress1009-Copy.jpg

Shortly after installing the three bulkheads, I realized how delicate the forward bulkhead was. The piece is designed with a breakaway top. This is removed and used if the model is being constructed in a waterline configuration. This piece started to become loose. I decided to attach a couple pieces of spare styrene to both sides to strengthen it a bit.

IJNYukikazeprogress1013-Copy.jpg

At this point I will be straying from the directions for a short while. Although this is a finely molded kit, the hull was molded completely smooth. I wanted to add some definition to it and decided to create some panel lines to show where the large steel plates would have been welded together. Most of these panel line I will be putting on will barely be seen when done...but they will be somewhat noticeable.

First I needed to mark out the area so I would not end up randomly placing panel lines all over the hull. Here you can see I drew a center line (right) and an end line on the bilge keel.

IJNYukikazeprogress1010-Copy.jpg

These marks will aid in making sure my vertical and horizontal line come out fairly straight.

IJNYukikazeprogress1012-Copy.jpg

As you can see above, I placed masking tape vertically the entire length of the hull. By trying to leave an approximate 1mm gap between each piece of tape, this will serve to help me create a raised welded panel line in the hull. Below you can see how I began to apply some white putty to just the little gaps between the tape.

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After removing the tape, you can begin to see the formation of raised lines. These look a little rough at first but when all the lines are placed some sanding will be done.

IJNYukikazeprogress1022-Copy.jpg

Next I needed to run horizontal lines from one end to the other. These lines I wanted to stagger. These panel lines are not always run in straight lines. The ship builders would get a stronger hull from staggering the joints of steel.

IJNYukikazeprogress1023-Copy.jpg

You can see how I placed putty on every other spacing and then doing the same on a secondary horizontal row on the hull.

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At this point I took a break from making panel lines and began to open up the port holes on the hull. By opening the portholes, this adds a sort of volume to the model and a touch of realism. Using a #74 drill bit and a pin vice, simply drilled them out.

IJNYukikazeprogress1045-Copy.jpg

Next up, I needed to deal with the joint where the upper hull pieces and the lower section came together. The joint was actually really tight right out of the box. Normally I would have just glued the three pieces together and filled any depressions in the joint. This time, I ran tape as I did with the other hull section I made along this joint.

IJNYukikazeprogress1046-Copy.jpg

Using the same application of putty, I ran this line around this entire joint of the hull.

IJNYukikazeprogress1051.jpg

In this shot you can see the open portholes.

IJNYukikazeprogress1057.jpg

Getting back to construction I needed to set a poly-washer in a pre-foremed spot in the hull where the rudder will be attached.

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There is a molded cap that needs to be installed here as well.

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At this point in the build, the hull is ready to be closed up with the installation of the weather deck sections. There are three horizontal sections to the weather deck.

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There are various 1mm and one 1.5mm holes that need to be drilled out on these deck sections. These will be needed later on with other pieces.

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After drilling all the holes out, I then dry fit the entire weather deck assembly checking for any areas that might need attention before gluing.

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The deck fit is actually really good. I will have very little work on gluing all of the weather decks in,

At this time, I had given the entire lower hull a quick sanding with 600 grit sandpaper.

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This is pretty close to what I wanted to see it looking like at this point, slightly raised panel lines. I have some touch up sanding to do at this point and then I will be attaching the weather deck permanently. As a final check I will spray a light primer coat to the entire hull assembly. This will let me see how well these panel line look and show me any gaps I may have missed during the gluing processes.



As always thank you for stopping by to check out my progress on the Yukikaze. I hope you come back soon to see my next update here on SMA.
 
This looks sweet Todd. Those raised panels lines are fantastic. Great idea.
 
Looks like a nice kit :) ,great start too bro ;)

Chris.
 
WOW :eek: great start and a nice vid pitty ya had to show your mug in it :p. i love teh panel line idea it looks pretty cool.

Carry on sir
 
Scott, many thanks. ;) With a bit of luck the panel lines will barely just show giving the faint "oil canning" effect, rippling in the plates, that most hulls end up with after years of service.

Chris, Great little kit, thanks! I was actually surprised at the level of detail on the parts. Tamiya does make a really nice model ship kit. Like I mentioned in the video, it's been a while for me with a ship model...just like riding a bike though!! ;D

Thanks Spud!! By adding the face in the video, I might be able to add "horror" to the list of Tags, ey?

Thanks for tagging along gentlemen!! ;)
 
Lol ima have to start calling ya funy names then ;D
 
This looks like a fun build. I see there are plenty of those small parts you like so much too.

Are you adding any of the listed AM parts to it as well or OOB build?
 
Great video and the pictures look fantastic. I like the way you did the raised lines on the hull, very neat.
 
Hiya Myke! Oh yeah...lots of tiny pieces here!!! ::) To answer you question about AM parts, yes I will be adding some. I picked up a set that had some Photo-etch railings on it as well as a few other neat little items I may end up sneaking into the build. In addition I bought the Aber set: 1/350 Barrels for IJN Yukikaze Class Destroyer. 34 barrels in the package!!!! These are tiny. Once I get around to snapping a shot or two I will get them up! LOL...stay tuned!! ;)

Hello wyroy!!! Thank you!!! ;) I am looking forward to seeing how these turn out myself!!! ;D
 
TRM ,

Cool ! I'm usually not a fan of Ship models but I loved th SbS on the raised panal lines !! Awesome trick & it looks really cool too !!

I'm gonna keep an Eye on this one !

Banzai !
 
Hello Erik!! Thanks Brotha'!!! Nice to have you along on this one!! ;D
 
Great build Todd I will be watching closely.
By the way. Don't you by any chance have Polish roots?
Regards
Lukasz
 
Thanks for checking it out Q!! ;)

Hey Lukasz, glad you like it! And yes I do BTW!! ;) Hard to not with the last name Michalak, ey? ::)
 
TRM said:
Thanks for checking it out Q!! ;)

Hey Lukasz, glad you like it! And yes I do BTW!! ;) Hard to not with the last name Michalak, ey? ::)
Well yes but it also could be Czech or Slovakian.
Cheers
 
Hey bro. Been busy the last couple days and am now checking this out. VERY freakin cool my friend. Great vid and pic/text review T. Man that's some nice work on the hull. I can imagine how that sub of yours looks.

Keep up the awesome work bro
 
Most appreciated Rob, thank you! ;) Lots and lots of tiny things on this one!! Going to take a while...but should be fun! ;D
 

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