Plastheniker Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 (edited) Hi, Though being a dedicated car and truck modeler I use to shift to other fields of modeling from time to time for a change of pace. For some years in the early eighties I built 1/700 WL dioramas. From the modeler's point of view the Japanese Nagato/Mutsu and Yamato/Musashi are particularly attractive. After finishing this detailed 1/700 Yamato (the old Tamiya kit of those days) it was clear that one day I would build Nichimo's huge 1/200 model. Some years later I purchased this normally quite pricey kit among others at a close-down sale and started it in the early nineties. I used a GMM photoetched set that was very rudimentary because it was a simple up-scaled 1/700 set. Some time later GMM released a new outstanding set in 1/200 - too late for me. I was determined to superdetail my model as far as possible. Originally I planned to write a magazine contribution about it, so I took a lot of notes. I realized, however, that this would go beyond the scope of any article. Anyway I can say that the model is made of more than 6000 parts and that I spent more than 2000 hours building it. This was necessary because the Nichimo kit was designed as an R/C model, so it was very simplified and mostly rather crude; some parts (f. e. the „wooden“ deck) were so poor that they were unusuable. A few large parts were badly warped. Moreover the model was partially wrong and even essential parts were not replicated. Today the work would be much easier because besides the new GMM set there are many aftermarket parts for those things I had to make myself. In more than 50 years of modeling this was the biggest challenge for me to this day. Building this detailed model was only possible by an outstanding English book by J. Skulsky "Anatomy of the Ship - The Battleship Yamato" which contained nearly 200 pages full of plans and detail drawings . Since such a detailed model needed protection I made an appropriate glass/mahogany showcase for it. I am going to post two pictures from bow and from stern in high resolution. Please zoom them by holding your key ctrl pressed and pressing your key + several times. You should even recognize sights on the tiny single 25mm MGs. I took the pictures through the glass of the display case. I hope you don't mind some reflections. Edited February 11, 2014 by Plastheniker 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwaterous Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Oh My Goodness, that is absolutely incredible... a work of art!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 Another 1/200 monsterpiece! I know the Nichimo kit, and it's clear how much additional work has gone into this. Love the presentation and case as well, fantastic job Al Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jockster Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 I take my hat off to you Jürgen, a beautiful model, and nice to see one in an intermediate antiaircraft fit. Even anyone unfamiliar with Yamato can see the skill and craftsmanship you have put into this ship. I could go on and on listing what I can see, hopefully it is enough to just say well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeW Posted January 28, 2014 Share Posted January 28, 2014 She ( and her display case ) is magnificent. One can just see the attention to detail. This should be in a naval museum. Cheers, Mike 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nick32 Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Outstanding. Cant think of anything else to say! Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmatthewbacon Posted January 31, 2014 Share Posted January 31, 2014 Just, wow... That's one of those builds that has me havering between "I wish I could do that..." and "Why do I bother...?" Awesome, model, awesome display. And 2000 hours? Where do you get the time...? ;-P Very, very well done. bestest, M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forlornhope Posted February 1, 2014 Share Posted February 1, 2014 Well done on your gorgeous effort and nice pics as well Way to big for me though, I would have lost interest half way through Cheers Callum 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin1980 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Wow! Impressive, just one question how long did the build take? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Outstanding model making of the highest quality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngloSaxon Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 Incredible work and some great dedication to get it completed. Mike D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 That looks like a top job I've a liking for the Yamato for some reason, probably stemming back to admiring it in the Tamiya catalogue when I was a boy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JosephLalor Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Excellent job. I've been tempted by that kit and let it go a couple of times over the years, given the amount of work it would require. Joseph Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noeyedears Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 when i see something as beautiful as that i just want to god i wish i had the time and space and staying power. amazing job ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snapper_city Posted February 4, 2014 Share Posted February 4, 2014 Absolutely stunning. You can really see a lot of work has gone into this and the way you showcase her is excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob 1 Posted February 6, 2014 Share Posted February 6, 2014 Very impressive, both the model considering the difficulties of the kit used, and just the shear ambition ot taking on a build like this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastheniker Posted February 7, 2014 Author Share Posted February 7, 2014 Thanks for the feedback! I found some nice paper pictures taken during and after the build with a 35mm SLR. I hope it is possible to scan them. If the result is acceptable I am going to post them. Wow! Impressive, just one question how long did the build take? As mentioned the ship required more than 2000 hours, the display case with the stand appr. 150 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gisbod Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Fabulous job Jürgen.. Masterpiece.. Guy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andy wood Posted February 10, 2014 Share Posted February 10, 2014 museum quality 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plastheniker Posted February 11, 2014 Author Share Posted February 11, 2014 I scanned the paper pictures mentioned in post #17. Though they are more than 20 years old the scans didn't turn out that bad. These first 6 pictures show the finished ship before I added the final display stand and before I put her into the display case. Due to the different illumination and without any glass reflections further details become visible. The following 11 pictures show some WIP sub-assemblies. Probably the give a rough impression of a few problems and some detail work. 1: I aligned the warped sides of the hull with telescoping plastic tubes. The warped „wood“ deck of the kit (brown) was aligned with massive metal square rods and then covered by a scribed new deck. Since the main superstructure part (shown on pictures #3&4) was also badly warped I decided to screw it onto studs. You see some of the brass studs protrude. 2: The port-holes were poorly moulded and mostly placed incorrectly. I replaced them (if not blanked off) by wire end ferrules. The moulding of the degaussing cable was conspiciousy varying. I replicated it with soldering wire. 3: I aligned the warped main superstructure part with treaded rods and treaded sleeves fixed to the bottom. 4: A detail shot of the superstructure. The brass studs protrude into the bases of the 12.7mm AA turrets. These turrets would conceal studs and tightened nuts. 5: A detail shot of the tower bridge with some corrections. 6: The massive, completely closed funnel hood after reworking. 7: The tripoid mast of the kit didn't show the 1944 refit. Converting it I used universal PE frets and telescoping hypodermic needles. 8: A modified 46cm gun turret and barbette. The light railings on top are made of thin hypodermic needles and nylon monofilament. 9: A modified 15.5cm gun and barbette. 10: A modified 12.7cm AA gun turret and a modified triple 25mm AA gun with shield (rather small even in 1/200) 11: New ensign staff, towing fairlead, and further details Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
justin1980 Posted February 12, 2014 Share Posted February 12, 2014 Thanks for the feedback! I found some nice paper pictures taken during and after the build with a 35mm SLR. I hope it is possible to scan them. If the result is acceptable I am going to post them. As mentioned the ship required more than 2000 hours, the display case with the stand appr. 150 hours. Sorry Jurgen, just re-read your initial post duh! I was obviously too busy admiring the pics than to read!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katana Posted November 12, 2014 Share Posted November 12, 2014 Dear Jurgen , please allow me to express my deep admiration for your Yamato. A masterpiece !!! I'm also intended to make this same kit but I need to get some upgrades , obviously . Is there a way I can send you a mail ? Kind regards, Erik Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Posted November 13, 2014 Share Posted November 13, 2014 Wow, nice work indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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