Eduard IJN Battleship Musashi Detail Sets. For Tamiya 1:350

[Shar2]

IJN Battleship Musashi Detail Sets

1:350 Eduard

Tamiya first released the 1:350 IJN battleship Musashi in 1979 and apart from adding new parts in 1981it hadn’t really been updated until 2013. To update and detail this latest release Eduard have now produced three sets of photo etched parts. The three sets are for the ship, deck plates and railings.

Part 1- (53-133). This comprehensive two sheet set is jam packed full of parts for use throughout the ship. It includes everything from the hyper complicated and realistic aircraft handling crane to vent grilles and liferings. The aircraft handling crane is completely replaced with brass and although there is minimal folding required, there are a great many parts that go to make up one of the most realistic cranes I’ve come across. Every boom, jib, cradle and cable wheels are included, as well as all the webs, supports and brackets. All the modeller has to add are a couple of 0.3mm plastic rods to finish it off.

The rest of the sheets contain numerous intake grilles, vent grilles, inclined and vertical ladders, cable reels, some of which require the modeller to provide some 1.5mm plastic rod for the drums whilst the large ones the drum is made up of brass etch that is rolled to shape. There are also hand wheels for the winch brakes, a new face plates for the breakwater and deckhouses, deck hatches and a new accommodation ladder for the foredeck. The light AA gun tub splinter shields are replaced as are the two Type 21 radars atop the main rangefinder as well as the Type 13 radars on the foremast, which also gets a full complement of ladders. The 155mm turrets are provided with new access doors, ladders, and a small crane, with the fore and aft mountings also being fitted with aerial towers. The main 460mm turrets are fitted out with replacement platforms, doors, ladders, rangefinder hatches, and the practice gun platforms and railings which weren’t always fitted, so check your references. The various gun directors have new port covers fitted, as do the 127mm turrets.

There are loads of new platforms, railings and inclined ladders fitted to the main superstructure tower and a large platform fitted to the front of the funnel casing. On the quaterdeck there are several replacement platforms, new boat bay doors and the large perforated gratings in front of the catapult mounts. Talking of catapults, both units are completely replaced, with separate cable wheels, platforms and mounting plate. To complement the new catapults there are full set of transport and launch cradles for both the single and twin float aircraft, each of which also receives a new propeller.

Part 2 – (53-134). Whilst the set above does include a lot of the subsidiary railings for the platforms this set completes the ship with a full range of railings for the main deck, and superstructure. What is nice with this set is that Eduard have taken the trouble to actually shape the foredeck railings so they fit the sheer of the hull, making life a lot easier. There are also a selection of smaller railings and handrails for areas such as the main rangefinders, 127mm mounts, and quarterdeck.

Part 3 – (53-135). This is a very simple set which provides a set of new deck plates for areas such as the AA mountings, gun tubs, boat bay recesses, AA platforms, main superstructure decks, quarterdeck grille surrounds and aircraft handling turntables. The main plate will make painting the decks much easier as they can be painted separately then fitted after the superstructure has been painted.

Conclusion
Eduard seem to be really getting to grips with their maritime update sets and these three are just superb. These look like they will bring a big improvement to the kit, giving some much need finesse to the finished model. Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[bootneck]

Nice review Dave! I just happen to have a Tamiya Yamato waiting to be built so will need to get some of these sets.

cheers

Mike