White Ensign Models 1:350 etch for Mogami Class Cruisers

[Shar2]

Mogami Class Cruisers
White Ensign Models 1:350

It’s been quite a while since Tamiya released their three Mogami class cruisers and until now there hasn’t been a sniff of a detail set for any of them which is a bit odd since they aren’t perfect and really needed someone to bite the bullet to produce some nice etch for them. Well White Ensign Models have done just that, and have released this big set of etched parts which covers all three versions, Mikuma light cruiser, Mogami heavy cruiser and Mogami aircraft carrying cruiser. The set comprises of two large sheets of relief etched wonderment. Each sheet measures 290mm x 143mm and arrives in a very sturdy, reinforced envelope.

Sheet 1 is mostly taken up with the ships railings. The modeller will need to ensure they use the correct ones depending on which version of the Mogami they are building as each one requires different parts. This includes the gun turrets, the Mikuma having triple 6” turrets and both the Mogami kits have twin 8” turrets. The triple turrets are fitted out with turret top railings, vertical ladders to the sides, sliding access doors to the rear and on the front four blast bag elevation rails. Moving on to the secondary and tertiary armament the twin 12.7cm mounts get new loading platforms with built in railings and ladders. The triple and twin 25mm AA gun mounts are finished off with new side details and gun layers seats and foot rests. Twin 13mm mounts are provided as complete etched assemblies with the barrels, mount, with gunners seat and mounting plate.

Away from the armament replacement Type 21 Go Dentan radars, which are so much finer than the kit items are assembled using only the kit radars antenna base which needs to be cut down. The distinctive aerial masts and spreaders, which are surprisingly missing from the kits, are folded and assembled, again dependent on which Mogami is being built. Smaller items on the sheet include inclined ladders, boat/supply davits, forward and aft funnel caps and grilles, DF antenna mast, rope walks for the late Mogami foremast yardarms and finally the myriad of hand and foot rails for the two funnels.

Sheet 2 have the new parts for the 8” turrets these include a set of detailed panelled sides and rear giving them their heavily riveted look. The fronts of the turrets also get new sighting windows with optional parts for open or closed windows. To the rear a sliding door and ladder are fitted. Something that is common to all versions are the catapults and this sheet provides optional model 3 or model 5 catapults to be used as required, with their associated turntables and supports. The flightdeck of the aircraft carrying version is given new turntables with rails. Each ship has three distinctive searchlight towers which are quite blocky in the kits and are replaced by fine etch etched towers and railings. The midships catwalk assemblies are also replaced with new items off this sheet.

There are also numerous items such as ships boats cradles, thwarts, oars, rudders, for the rowing boats and masts, railings, propeller and windscreen for the motorboats, accommodation ladders, life buoy racks and more davits. The Nakajima E8N2 Dave, Kawanishi E7K2 Alf, Mitsubishi F1M2 Pete, and Aichi E13A1 Jake aircraft receive new wing and float struts, and propellers. There is a very nice ships crane jib, but unfortunately no hook or cabling, but this isn’t really a problem as the kits etch provides them. Lastly there is a full length of degaussing cables for the ships hulls with a couple of line drawings to show their positioning.

Conclusion
This is a very welcome set from White Ensign Models and whilst it’s been a long time waiting it certainly has been worth it. The fact that no matter what class or mod state of model you have this set will be the making of the model. I reckon there are enough parts to do at least one and half ships, if you’re happy to have one that is slightly less detailed, even though you will have ot buy some more railings to finish the second ship off. Very highly recommended.

Review sample kindly provided be John at