IJN Pre-Dreadnought Battleship Mikasa by Merit 1:200 with Pontos and KA Models

[madtatt]

Good morning, Paul and Chris.

First of all, thank you very much, Paul—that’s very kind of you.

Chris:
No, as far as I know, Zeiss Jena did not supply rangefinders to the Imperial Japanese Navy for the Battle of Tsushima. Instead, coincidence rangefinders from the Scottish firm Barr & Stroud are credited with the Japanese forces' superior targeting accuracy.

However, there is indeed a connection to Zeiss Jena—not involving rangefinders, but rather the admiral's binoculars: during the battle, Japanese Fleet Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō wore a famous Carl Zeiss Jena "naval turret binocular" around his neck. These binoculars were a top-tier personal instrument and can still be seen today on the museum ship *Mikasa* in Japan. Since Tōgō used them to keep the Russian fleet in sight, the Zeiss name was frequently mentioned prominently in reports.

I imagine that is how this piece of misinformation might have originated.

 

[madtatt]

Before I can turn my attention to the masts, I have to attend to a mundane but necessary task.

The model still needs protection against dust, as it will be several weeks before I finish the *Mikasa*.

Up to now, it has been sitting under a simple, custom-cut cardboard cover. For a project spanning over two years, this is essential.



Now that the masts are to be installed, more vertical clearance is required. So, I got a second piece of cardboard, cut both to size, and joined them together. Everything is held in place and reinforced with duct tape.



Of course, it is important to measure everything precisely beforehand—to avoid any contact between the masts and the cardboard later on. I’ve marked the positions on both the model and the tabletop using a permanent marker. This ensures the model is in the right spot when I slide the dust cover over it.



As you can see in the following picture, the ship’s layout isn't perfectly symmetrical. That explains the markings and the generous cutout in the cardboard. This way, there shouldn't be any issues once the masts are fully installed.



And so, I believe the model is well-protected against the looming threat of dust bunnies while it awaits completion.

 

[ConsNZ]

Before I can turn my attention to the masts, I have to attend to a mundane but necessary task.

The model still needs protection against dust, as it will be several weeks before I finish the *Mikasa*.

Up to now, it has been sitting under a simple, custom-cut cardboard cover. For a project spanning over two years, this is essential.

View attachment 631440

Now that the masts are to be installed, more vertical clearance is required. So, I got a second piece of cardboard, cut both to size, and joined them together. Everything is held in place and reinforced with duct tape.

View attachment 631441

Of course, it is important to measure everything precisely beforehand—to avoid any contact between the masts and the cardboard later on. I’ve marked the positions on both the model and the tabletop using a permanent marker. This ensures the model is in the right spot when I slide the dust cover over it.

View attachment 631442

As you can see in the following picture, the ship’s layout isn't perfectly symmetrical. That explains the markings and the generous cutout in the cardboard. This way, there shouldn't be any issues once the masts are fully installed.

View attachment 631443

And so, I believe the model is well-protected against the looming threat of dust bunnies while it awaits completion.

View attachment 631444

Beautiful and stunning modelling.

 

[wieslaw_]

With those masts in place, she’s really starting to look like a proper pre-dreadnought. Beautiful work! Can’t wait to see her finished.