Model repair and disposition

[NeilHarrington]

Hi all:

I inherited three wooden models of Japanese warships that were built in Japan prior to World War II for what was then the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy. I attached a picture of one of the models. The models are in generally good shape, but do need some repairs to rigging, super structure, etc. I am at the novice stage with respect to modeling.

Two questions: 1). should a novice like me even attempt repairs to these types of models? 2) the day is coming when I will need to give these models a new home. Would you suggest a museum?

Thanks, Neil Harrington

 

[Uwek]

Hallo and welcome here on board of our forum.

Repair or restoration of models is very difficult or better not easy to do - especially historical not knowing the details of these ships, also historical mistakes can be made. And for a novice it will be even more difficult.

It is hard to say something more, not knowing the models more in detail:

Maybe it is possible to show some more details of the models.
Which scale are they? Do you know the materials they were built. Pre- WWII I guess the hull and the deck houses are wood....

 

[NeilHarrington]

Thank you for the reply.

I am attaching additional pictures of the three models. The first set of photos are of battleship IJN Fuso. The second set are of heavy cruiser IJN Maya. The last are of a submarine I have not been able identify. I have photographed the small identification plate mounted on each model.

As you can see, all the models could use some work. The Fuso, being the larges, needs the most.

I believe the models were built sometime 1920s or 1930s. The distinctive super structure on the Fuso was added after 1917 and both the Fuso and Maya are carrying biplane observation aircraft on their catapults.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[NMBROOK]

Hi Neil,these models are nearly 100 years old and have providence.Best advice is talk to a few museums and see what they say.If they want the models then I would leave the restoration work to them.Do you have translations for the plaques?

Kind Regards

Nigel

 

[polydoc]

Hi all:

I inherited three wooden models of Japanese warships that were built in Japan prior to World War II for what was then the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy. I attached a picture of one of the models. The models are in generally good shape, but do need some repairs to rigging, super structure, etc. I am at the novice stage with respect to modeling.

Two questions: 1). should a novice like me even attempt repairs to these types of models? 2) the day is coming when I will need to give these models a new home. Would you suggest a museum?

Thanks, Neil Harrington

View attachment 305486

The Nimitz Museum in Fredrickburg TX:

National Museum of the Pacific War: Home​

https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org

has an extensive collection of Japanese WW2 war relics and may be interested in the models. I suggest you try contacting them.

 

[Vfordyce]

The Nimitz Museum in Fredrickburg TX:

National Museum of the Pacific War: Home​

https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org

has an extensive collection of Japanese WW2 war relics and may be interested in the models. I suggest you try contacting them.

I've been there. The Nimitz is an amazing museum.

 

[NeilHarrington]

Thanks to all. The Nimitz museum did accept the models and they should be part of the collection and on display in the near future.

 

[Vfordyce]

Thanks to all. The Nimitz museum did accept the models and they should be part of the collection and on display in the near future.

Let us know when they go on display. I'll go take a look at them!

 

[polydoc]

Congratulations on the contribution. I don’t know how you plan on getting them there, but shipping models is fraught with danger of damage and hopefully the museum will assist you in sending them safely.

 

[Uwek]

Hi all:

I inherited three wooden models of Japanese warships that were built in Japan prior to World War II for what was then the Imperial Japanese Naval Academy. I attached a picture of one of the models. The models are in generally good shape, but do need some repairs to rigging, super structure, etc. I am at the novice stage with respect to modeling.

Two questions: 1). should a novice like me even attempt repairs to these types of models? 2) the day is coming when I will need to give these models a new home. Would you suggest a museum?

Thanks, Neil Harrington

Hallo @NeilHarrington
we wish you all the BEST and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY