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Japanese Destroyer Suzutsuki Kagero Super Drawings in 3D No.68 Suzutsuki was the third ship from the series of the most powerful Akizuki destroyers, designed specifically as anti-aircraft defence. The Akizuki-class ships were originally designed as anti-aircraft escorts for carrier battle groups, but were modified with torpedo tubes and depth charges to meet the need for more general-purpose destroyer. Her crew numbered 300 officers and enlisted men. The ships measured 440 ft 3 in overall, with a beam of 38 ft 1 in and a draft of 13 ft 7 in. They displaced 2,701 tons at standard load and 3,700 tons at deep load. The ships powerplant was rated at a total of 52,000 shaft horsepower for a designed speed of 33 knots. The main armament of the Akizuki class consisted of eight Type 98 100-millimeter (3.9 in) dual purpose guns in four twin-gun turrets, two superfiring pairs fore and aft of the superstructure. They carried four Type 96 25-millimeter anti-aircraft guns in two twin-gun mounts. The ships were also armed with four 24.0 in torpedo tubes in a single quadruple traversing mount; one reload was carried for each tube. Their anti-submarine weapons comprised six depth charge throwers for which 72 depth charges were carried This is another great book from Kagero in their Super Drawings in 3D, and the second on an Akizuki class ship. Like the previous books it has an introduction with a brief history of the ship and the its specifications at the beginning. This includes the following:- Introduction History Suzutsuki Design and propulsion Hull Superstructure Armament Service The rest of the Eighty one pages are filled with the now well known style of beautifully drawn 3D renderings of every part of the ship. It is obvious that a lot of time has been taken to get the drawings this good and accurate, and there is a wealthy of information for the modeller to use during their build. Every area of the upper hull and superstructure is dealt with plus the lower hull including the propellers and rudder. The outstanding renders in this title include the torpedo tubes that also show how the reloads were carried and loaded, the depth charge thrower station and the interesting way the linoleum deck covering was held down by brass strips in large rectangles rather than straight across as a lot of kits of Japanese ships show them. But throughout the book it’s the little things that will stand out for the modeller, such as how the smaller vents and chimneys are arranged and even the awning stanchions are erected and arranged, for those modellers who would like to build the ship with a different look, particularly nice in a seascape. For even more detail, Kagero have included a double sided A2 fold out sheet with a five view on one side, unusually in 1:200, with additional drawings of the ships funnel, bow superstructure, midships superstructure and stern superstructure, each with either five or six views, all, again in 1:200. Conclusion This is another superb book in the series and a great addition to any maritime modeller’s library. The detail included is excellent as usual, with the superb renderings that are so clear that they will be a delight for the superdetailers. The modeller appears to be spoilt for choice when it comes to obtaining a kit of an Akizuki class, so if you have/want one, and want to go to town on it, then this book is for you. Review sample courtesy of