I just started the Tamiya I-400. The second step is to install two metal weights in the bottom of the hull. Several years ago I built the tamiya 1/700 scale Akagi waterline kit and it had a weight glued on the bottom of it too. What is the purpose of the weight? Is it just so the model won’t blow off the shelf, or is it for ballast so that it will float in the bath tub? (LOL). Just wondering.
I think it’s just to make the model more stable on the shelf and give it more “heft.” Some people seem to like the feeling of a model that has some weight to it.
I’ve wondered more than once how much those weights add to the expense of a kit. (They surely add to the shipping weight of a carton full of such kits.) Personally, I have to admit I do rather like the solid feel of such models - but, given the choice, I wouldn’t pay any money for the weights. There are too many easy - and free - ways to add “ballast” myself.
I concur. I like to add weight to all my models, it seems to give them a more ‘solid’ feel. Of course if you drop them it also ensures more complete destruction!
Those weights are supplied with all the 1:700 waterline ship kits, be they from Fujimi, Aoshima or Skywave. I wondered if they were meant to make the models ‘sit’ better on whatever surface they may be displayed.
Michael
No,no, no its so when you play the Battle of Midway in the tub they sink convincingly!
Aaah, of course…
Thanks for the responses. So it is for stability on the shelf. That explains why the waterline kits always sank in the tub…eerr…ahh, I mean…Oh well![:-^]
Yet another mystery solved …