I was watching the live action Spaceship Yamato the other day and thinking how cool the Yamato looked in that. Became curious to see if there were any larger scale models of it, came across the Bandai 1/350 scale version, but it’s price is ridiculous and I personally felt it didn’t look that great and lacked details. So… I began having dangerous thoughts about getting a 1/350 scale Yamato (you can find one for under $200) and then converting it into the Spacship Yamato. Which would mean a lot of scratch building, but wondered if anyone had ever tried this?
Ah, that question has been asked many times. Some of my friends discussed this possibility as well. The bottom line is that the real Yamato’s hull is very different compared to the anime space version, as it’s way flatter. That doesn’t mean you cannot or should not attempt it. It just won’t look like the anime ship. But I have seen people’s original takes on a lot of iconic designs that turned out well. You need a game plan on how to integrate the wave motion cannon port on the bow and the big rocket engines in the back.
But hurry Star Force, Earth has only 365 days left…
Just ask Lord Vader, I’m not real good with deadlines… LOL
I went looking online hoping I might see an example of someone attempting this, but so far no luck. If you know of anything like this I’d love a link!
The two look similar but just about every surface of Yamato would need extensive modification - It might actually be easier to start from scratch.
Either way, if you try it I’d love to watch it!
Yeah I just got done trying to roughly match 2 3d models, one of the original Yamato and the spaceship version. Wow, lots and lots of differences in the hull all over the place, I knew some things would different, but damn 
Kinda wish I had a 3d printer…
Acquiring a capable and inexpensive 3D printer is easy… learning the 3D design software and how to use it effectively for printing purposes, within the limitations of your printer - not so much!
I certainly wouldn’t recommend a 1/350 Yamato as a starter project! (Space version or otherwise)
But if you do and stick with it, you’ll be set for the rest of your life to create anything you can imagine. (But I’d start with the turrets[:)])
In all seriousness they are great tools and versatile assets to have with scratch build projects. For a year or so I used both an Ender 3 filament printer (for large low detail parts) and an inexpensive = “small build area” resin printer (for small detailed parts)
Here’s a couple of examples of how that looks:
Loosely read thru the thread and I woukd like to offer some words of " advice"… NEVER give up on your dream project no matter how long it may take to complete. Your skills will be improved, your knowkedge of how things work will improve, and maybe…HOPEFULLY you’ll have that AH HA moment and BANG ya got a model that WOWS the world.
Modeling is a mararthon not always a sprint, I would love to build a 747SP " SOPHIA", I have decals, but the kit requires ALOT of surgery. My skils are close, my confidence nit so much but I still build…well try anyway.
My long winded point is you are on the right track, asking questions, looking for encouragement, gathering materials. I wish you the best of luck.
Perhaps trying a conversion of a cheaper, less detailed, or less expensive kit to give you a good foundation for the structural changes that will be required. Can’t hurt, you will learn and probably drag a bunch of us along for the ride.
Go Star Blazers!!
Not familiar so looked it up. Appears there are many versions of the Starship Yamato with some “easier” to do than others. A3d printer and some decent scratch building skills could make it happen. Don’t think a Yamato kit would help for very much though. Maybe the main turrets.
Really good resource.
http://www.shipschematics.net/yamato/yamato_data.php?filter=EdfCapital
Thanks! The 3D modeling I can do pretty easily, I’m maybe not expert level, but pretty damn good. Translating that to real world parts… that’s where it gets tricky. Definitely need to think about this. Looking at it, basing this on original model probably isn’t going to help much.
Here’s another question for folks,
I came across this, which is the modeling desing direction I’d want to head towards:
But I’m a little surprised at the lack of detailing? It just looks thick and plain. Am I being too picky, or am I missing something?
My guess is it just looks plain becuase of the lack of paint. Some highlighting and shading would make it pop. The details are all there but you just can’t see them.
On a sad note, Leiji Matsumoto, creator of Space Battleship Yamato, aka Star Blazers, has passed away at the age of 85.
Leiji Matsumoto, famed for ‘Space Battleship Yamato’ anime, dies at 85 | The Japan Times
I used top watch that show when I was stationed at Little Rock. I built a few models of the ship when I was in Okinawa and here, but one day I decided to try the conversion of the Tamiya kit. I managed to find one at a vender’s table at Modelpalooza a few years ago and to my surprise it came with a second box of spare parts left over from another kit that had been salvaged for some reason.
After going over the idea with a few other bujilders it was decided there were too many things that needed to be done.
The kit sat on the shelf for some time and then I got an idea. Back during the war there were several conversions done that turned warchips into partial aircraft carriers. Then I found out about the Navy’s idea to convert battleships into assault ships with most of the ship being turned into a carrier with different types of flight decks. I figured that there was probably a need for a space warship for the same purpose.One thing led to another and trhe result was the Space Asault Ship Toronaga, half Yamato (Argo) and the stern a whole different type of ship. Ir still retained features of the Yamato like large antennas or sensore, side mounted defense turrets that would move out for a better field of fire, and other things.
If your project proves to be too much, just do a different type ship using the same idea. Sometimes it’s easier to bring back to life a sunken ship in a different role than start from scratch, assault ships, fire support, interdection, and so on, anything a water fleet might need, even repair ships.
not trying to steal your thread.
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