ModelWarships reveiw

Skywave / Pitroad

1/700 Equipment for Japan Navy Ship WW2 (I)
Reviewed by Timothy Dike

Skywave weapons sets have been around for a few years. Modelers have been using them for years to upgrade their plastic and resin ships. This set is the Equipment for Japan Navy Ships WW2 #1. It covers many destroyers and auxiliary ships.

There are two identical sprues included with this set. The top and bottom are shown in the scan on the right. The molding is quite good with very little flash. If you have one of the old Weapons then you will notice that these parts are more crisp than those early sets. Advanced modelers will probably choose to use photo etch parts instead of some like the catapults, but they are here if you want them.

Included in this set are:

10 cm twin enclosed gun mounts

12.7 cm single enclosed gun mounts

12.7 cm twin enclosed mounts

12.7 cm open shielded gun mounts

12 cm shielded gun mounts single and dual purpose

12.7 cm twin anti aircraft mounts

10 cm twin open anti aircraft mounts

25 mm twin anti aircraft mounts

25 mm triple anti aircraft gun mounts

25 mm triple enclosed anti aircraft gun mounts

Catapults

12 m launch

9 m boats

7.5 m boats

7 m boats

boat davits (2 types)

Torpedo launchers (5 different types)

Machine guns (single, twin and quad)

gun directors, sirens, searchlights

and more.

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to enlarge

Simple instructions are included on a separate sheet showing the assembly of the various parts. They are in Japanese so you may have a hard time identifying some parts. The back of the box shows some typical locations for these parts on a Japanese Ships.

Conclusions:

A nice set that greatly improves on the quality of those early waterline kits. This kit is Code # SWE02 and sells for $12.00 from Trident Hobbies. Check out the full line of Skywave weapons sets on the website.