I while back I discovered the Gambier Bay reading about the Samar battle. More specifically I was researching the USS Johnston DD-557 heroic efforts while a member of Taffy3 comprised of 6 escort aircraft carriers guarding the landings against a large Japanese fleet. The battle was massive in that it turned around the Japanese fleet trying to disrupt the Leyte invasion of the Philippines. I could go on about the the battle of Samar but you'd get more information googling USS Johnston and USS Gambier Bay. The more I read the more I wanted to do something part of this battle. The Johnston was a Fletcher class destroyer and there are some many Fletchers built or being built I wanted something a little unique. I haven't seen anyone build the Gambier Bay so that was it for me. Part of the taffy 3 and lost during the battle and plenty of historical information available.
The box arrives March 9, 2023 now the wait to finish current build
Of course I had to open checking for damage or missing parts. DUH!!!!!
No packaging damage now inside to the parts.
First sprue no broken or missing parts. Hasegawa did a fantastic job with the mold no flash no seams really sharp square corners. Only comment is the no skid plates are too bold for the scale but being mostly out of sight its no big issue.
First was to look at the photo etch sheets
I did open the wooden deck. It really looks amazing but will be a huge challenge to get it right.
This is a full size poster that came with it for painting and building.
That camouflage pattern is going to be a massive undertaking as each side is different. Starboard being straight lines and port being curved lines. Oh boy what fun!! The back side is for building
The books one being in Japanese but luckily the last two pages are english. My daughter just got a minor in Japanese maybe I can get her to translate. The instruction manual is printed in landscape, not a problem just unusual. Maybe a leftover for Japanese printing. Next a phot of instructions which seem very clear to understand.
The following are photos of each sprue which, I hope, show the quality of the injection molds.
Lots of airplanes and that means more decals.
Tomorrow on page one
The box arrives March 9, 2023 now the wait to finish current build
Of course I had to open checking for damage or missing parts. DUH!!!!!
No packaging damage now inside to the parts.
First sprue no broken or missing parts. Hasegawa did a fantastic job with the mold no flash no seams really sharp square corners. Only comment is the no skid plates are too bold for the scale but being mostly out of sight its no big issue.
First was to look at the photo etch sheets
I did open the wooden deck. It really looks amazing but will be a huge challenge to get it right.
This is a full size poster that came with it for painting and building.
That camouflage pattern is going to be a massive undertaking as each side is different. Starboard being straight lines and port being curved lines. Oh boy what fun!! The back side is for building
The books one being in Japanese but luckily the last two pages are english. My daughter just got a minor in Japanese maybe I can get her to translate. The instruction manual is printed in landscape, not a problem just unusual. Maybe a leftover for Japanese printing. Next a phot of instructions which seem very clear to understand.
The following are photos of each sprue which, I hope, show the quality of the injection molds.
Lots of airplanes and that means more decals.
Tomorrow on page one