Yamato Model for a Youngster

[wadeocu]

My soon to be 10 year old son has expressed an interest in a model of the Yamato.  He has several airplane and war hammer kits under his belt.  Probably the most complex build he has finished was a 1/72 Hasegawa Heinkel HE-111.

 

What kit would you recommend for a Yamato build?  I am willing to spring for the basic version of the Tamiya 1/350 kit because I know he will immerse himself and get the value out of the kit but I dont want to overwhelm him.  Maybe 1/700 is a better idea.  I know there are other options in other scales so I am turning it over to you to offer thoughts.  I am an airplane builder so I dont know much about building battleships!

 

Many thanks - Jack

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

Hi Jack,

 

I would suggest you have a look at the "old tool" Tamiya 1/350 kit - 78002. The new one is more accurate and generally very nice but some have criticised its over-engineering and high parts count. By contrast the old tool kit is still in circulation and available for a good price, just that bit simpler to build whilst still looking good. It still has Tamiya's good fit etc. There are just fewer tiny pieces to overwhelm.

[MikeR]

What Jamie wrote for the 1/350 - I'd say the older tool Yamato or Musashi would be the way to go. As for 1/700 I've built both the old and new tool Tamiya Yamato and Musashi kits and they're both good. Naturally the new tools are much, much better: Yamato, Musashi. Fujimi have also released pre-coloured, clip together kits as well: Yamato, Musashi which might be as good a way as any to cut his teeth on a ship model! I've ordered from HobbySearch before and I've never has any problems, though that was Japan-UK so I have no idea how Japan-US would fair.

 

If he wants to be a bit different, he could have a go at modelling the Musashi rather than the Yamato, particularly after the Paul Allen funded expedition that found her wreck in March 2015.

 

Likewise if he wants to have a good reference book on the pair this book is the most up to date in English: Battleships Yamato and Musashi (Anatomy of The Ship). Pricey, but it'll be well worth it!

 

Hope that helps,

 

Mike.

[wadeocu]

Thanks for the help guys!  I was not aware that there were old and new tool kits and the Fujimi 1/700 option is definitely something to consider. That is a remarkable publication Mike; I may just have to add that to my library!  Thanks again - Jack