Can BB Yamashiro be converted into BB Fuso?

[ww2navyguy]

To my knowledge, no 1:2400 scale manufacturer offers a model of BB Fuso. Is it possible to convert a GHQ model of BB Yamashiro (IJN26) into a "reasonable" representation of BB Fuso?

Does anyone have good suggestions of how this could be done? Has anyone ever attempted such a conversion? If so, could they please share with us what they did?

Thanks!
Scott

[battlewagon]

Scott,
Funny you should mention this...I inherited an extra Yamashiro kit from a friend who didn't have the time to paint up his micronauts. I am in the planning stages of making the conversion to Fuso. The basic changes are as follows:
1. Move #3 barbette about 1/4" farther aft
2. Carve away some of the base of the main superstructure aft
3. Use some scrap cranes and masts to build bracing to attach to the aft part of the superstructure. The two assemblies will only be a couple of millimeters tall.

My reference books did not have many line drawings or photos showing the back of the main superstructure but I found some model warship galleries on the web showing models of the Fuso in larger scales. I may break down and purchase a 1/700th scale model of Fuso (...I used to have one in my youth!) to use for the "blueprint".

For the barbette, I plan on making a mold of the mid-section and pouring a resin barbette and use a dremel tool to remove the original. I haven't quite worked out how best to "repair" the deck around the original barbette.

I will provide pictures and play-by-play once the kit reaches my "shipyard".

[ww2navyguy]

Battlewagon,

Thanks for the very helpful reply! I would really like to see your "play-by-play" on your conversion once you have it ready.

I've been sending my votes in for a BB Fuso for GHQ to produce for years now and it's almost hard to believe that no manufacturer make a model of her. Especially since she was involved in one of only a handful of WW2 Battleship versus Battleship engagements.

I look forward to your future post (and photos) of how you complete your conversion.

Thanks again!
Scott

[Mickel]

and move the catapult to atop one of the turrets? I don't remember which one off hand.

Mike

[battlewagon]

and move the catapult to atop one of the turrets? I don't remember which one off hand.

Mike

The Fuso had the catapult atop the number 3 turret during the '30s and possibly as late as 1941. By 1944 it appears that the catapult was moved to the stern as in Yamashiro to make room for light AA mounts on the turret tops. I'm not a big fan of the turret mounted catapults anyway and I have plenty of light AA mounts in my parts box so I will be going for the 1944 configuration. I have been looking at the reviews and models of the 1/700th scale Fuso kits online in addition to my normal reference materials to get the details sorted out before I start major surgery on the hull and superstructure.

I am looking forward to getting started. (Now watch... as soon as I get about halfway through the project GHQ will announce that they are making an IJN Fuso '44 kit..ha ha)

[ww2navyguy]

Battlewagon,

Just checking back with you to see if you started your BB Fuso conversion yet? Any chance you will be "documenting the conversion process" in photos that you could post here?

Thanks!

[battlewagon]

Battlewagon,

Just checking back with you to see if you started your BB Fuso conversion yet? Any chance you will be "documenting the conversion process" in photos that you could post here?

Thanks!

Things around here have in a word been...nuts! I need to get the materials to cast a new barbette and make some time to start work on this conversion job.

I will document the process and I plan on including pictures before, during and after the conversion.

I appreciate the interest and I hope you enjoy the journey and the finished product.