Here you are, Larry! (And all other Mikasa fans)
Here’s a dark and fuzzy pic of Hasegawa’s new 1/350 Mikasa. A pretty small battleship, the model itself is pretty small.
Looks like a nice kit!
Here’s a huge Mikasa that was on display in the Modeller’s Exhibition side of the show:
Sorry, I didn’t get any info on this model! Can’t see any info in the pic, either.
Other than it’s nice and big!
Beautiful! In 350th, the ship should be around 13" long. That was actually pretty big for a pre-dreadnought ship. She was the most powerful battleship in the world until the Dreadnought.
The difference in size between the ancient German pre-dreads like the Schleswig-Holstein and a modern battleship like the Bismarck, two ships in active service at the same time, is simply staggering!
I’ve already got my Mikasa on pre-order. So many models, so … well, you know the rest.
“She was the most powerful battleship in the world until the Dreadnought.”
A whole generation of later pre-dreadnoughts came between Mikasa and Dreadnought. They were all more powerful. Amongst those where 2 built in Japan.
whoa, that looks like a great model…i want one…thanks for the pics.
True, though those are generally referred to as “semi-dreadnoughts,” because they were already moving in the direction of the Dreadnought. The Mikasa was virtually the last, and the most powerful, of the classic pre-dreads. I usually lump the pre-dreads in with the Dreadnought.
Just goes to show what I know! (Not much about ships!)
It just looked very small compared to the usual 1/350 fare I’m used to seeing, like the Yamato, Musashi, Missouri, New Jersey…you know, the really big daddies! [:D]
One of these years I’ve gotta make that show! You always bring back the best pic’s Brian. FSM should put you on the payroll as their “Japanese Corrispondent”.
Thats a thought. Who’s got the petition to sign???
Thanks for the pic ! I think I have just found my second project! She looks fantasic.
Nice kit of a very significant historic ship. The real Mikasa rests in concrete as a museum ship in Japan.
Anybody who’s interested in this ship and leans toward the smaller scales might note that there’s a beautiful 1/700 Mikasa already on the market, from a small Japanese company called Sealsmodel. It’s injection-molded, and the detail and fit are just about the best I’ve ever seen. It’s available through Pacific Front Hobbies. Sealsmodel makes several other early-twentieth-century Japanese warships on the same scale.
For a nice, appropriate contrast, there’s a fascinating range of 1/700 resin kits from a Russian firm called Combrig (also available through Pacific Front). This company has covered most classes of Russian and Soviet warships, from the beginning of the twentieth century to the fall of Communism. The firm has been around for a while, and there’s a noticeable difference in quality between its first kits and the most recent ones. The latest Combrig kits can stand comparison with any othe company’s. And a piece of especially good news is the price. Combrig kits, compared with most resin offerings, are downright cheap.
I think I see a modest boom in interest in pre-Dreadnought warships. Bravo. They’re fascinating and important ships, and make beautiful models.
Say, now there’s an idea! I’ll be waiting for Jeff Herne’s call.
However, I’d have to say my photographs leave a bit to be desired in the quality department…just a tad dark ‘n’ fuzzy!
Really? Where?
I’m too lazy to search for it myself!
Actually Brian, we do need to talk about some official business…drop me an email when you get a chance. And no…you’re not in any trouble. [:D]
Jeff
E-mail dropped, Sir! (salutes crisply)
Glad to hear I’m not in trouble…so far! [;)]
Hulk,
Love the finished tank …
Thanks!
Perhaps it is small-but why so expensive???
Dan
I am yet to see a price for this kit, anyone know? And I have been struck by another thought, has anyone tried to use wood for the decking on top of the plastic?
List price is 6,800 yen (about $63.55 USD) here in Japan.
Greatmodels.com has it listed for $75 on their site, at least that’s what my pre-order says. Not a bad price considering that it’s only $10 more than Brian would pay in Japan …
I’d imagine that the MSRP would be more, as greatmodels.com usually sells at a healthy discount.
The kit is expensive, but apparently it has a lot of goodies in the box. Brian, can you confirm or deny? One website said it’s initially going to be packaged with a poster, a miniature of Togo, and some kind of memorial sticker to the 100th anniversary of Tsushima!