"My 1:1200 cardstock paper IJNS Kirishima" Topic

Actually, I started with the Hiei for its simpler conning tower, but after doing the prototype hull of the Hiei, I decided to go for the more complex, usual Kongo class conning tower – Kirishima – for prime time.

I've got the ONI side and overhead views from ONI Japanese Naval Vessels which I have on CoatneyHistory – I have all the original ONI recognition manuals – even the uncompleted French one … and want to do Strasbourg and Dunkerque, of course.

How did I do?

The Kongos have/had the usual complex British 2-deck hull design – Kongo herself was built in a British shipyard – so the Queen Elizabeths shouldn't be too much of a problem.

At 1:1200, my 74 year old eyes were challenged but rose – bulged? – to the occasion. Then there was the issue of my finger(s') size.

This was designed for simplicity for use in naval miniatures games. 1:1200/1250 is the traditional indeed historic Jane's and naval war college scale, and there are no plastic kits out at 1:1200 for most of the Japanese battleships – besides Yamato and Musashi, of course – let alone any of the cruisers and destroyers.

(The Japanese have come out with same-scale models at 1:3000, 1:2000, 1:1000, 1:700, 1:550, and 1:350, but except for 1:700 seldom do Allied models to complement theirs for play.)

3D computer printed models are very expensive at 1:1200 and so far quite crude.

You can upscale it with the Scale Selector, but no guarantees on the resulting fits. In any case, LOTS of Kongos at the other scales.

In the last photo, my new Kirishima is squaring off with one of my 2 German Wiking 1:1250 plastik/kunststoff North Carolinas – must be her nemesis Washington.

Now to assemble … 6? … Shiratsuyu class destroyers … each of them having a battleship's wallop anyway, with their Long Lance torpedoes. Then Hiei

These are up on CoatneyHistory and so far free at Free Cardstock Paper Model World War 2/II Warships

I'm thinking of doing Japanese and American – the South Dakotas are next – task force sets and selling them via Wargame Vault.

ONI page for Kongo class: CoatneyHistory.com/Kongo.htm
Kirishima bow view:

Overhead view:
Side view:
Bottom of waterline keel:
2nd Naval Battle of Guadalcanal:

Hmm … Not all are coming up, but they are all up at link

That's cardstock!?! wow, you have way more talent and patience than I. Good job.

Thank you, Sir. :-)

I don't really have the patience, but my desire to (create and) have the product forces me to muster it.

Very impressive. My metal models don't look that good.

Thank you for your (motivating) appreciation, Sh. :-)

My have 76 yr old eyes have been thoroughly delighted by your modeling talents. +++

Thanks, Z. :-)