1/350 Lion Roar Super Detail
IJN Yamato Update Conversion Set
OVERVIEW
This new set from Lion Roar of China is specifically designed for the popular Tamiya Yamato kit. It includes just about every after market item you would want to add. It comes packaged in as an attractive boxed set with 14 different photo etch frets, machined brass gun barrels, cast propellers, and even scale anchor chain. All the parts are securely wrapped and protected.
PHOTO ETCH FRETS
Fret A

The first fret etched in brass includes the railings. These are nicely done with a drooped chain appearance. The railings have the gutter rail along the bottom to make them easier to install. There are also angled rails to match the deck angles. These are all noted in the instructions as to their placement.

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Fret B

This fret includes the superstructure bar type rails. There are some with relief etching with the cross bars making the stantions really stand out.

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Fret C

The two catapults are provided on this fret. They are relief etched with some nice angle iron detail. I like the way back side of the fret is relief etched so that it is visible when folded. Braces and pulley details are included to fill out the catapult interior. The trolleys frames and catapult trolley rails are provided on this fret and are custom cut to length. These are nice but might be tedious to attach them. 

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Fret D

This fret includes the degaussing cables to be applied to the hull. They are done in segments with strap details and are noted as to their placement on page 3 of the instructions.

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Fret E

Inclined ladders and vertical ladders are provided on this fret. The inclined ladders are of a number of different types and are also provided in left and right hand styles designed to mount along side walls where only the outer railings is used. Six different types of cable reels are provided. all are relief etched with nice surface detailing.

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Fret F

This is the light anti aircraft gun fret with the triple 25 mm gun mounts. The gun mounts are relief etched and fold up into a pretty realistic assembly complete with seats. The gun barrels are also folded to give a scale appearing thickness. I like the way these are assembled with folding sections that will help make this tedious part of the build process go quickly without compromising too much detail.

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Fret G

This fret includes the life Rings used around the ship. Various square plates that appear to be deck hatches are provided to install around the ship. 

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Fret H

The single gun mounts assemble in a similar fashion with the gun folding over to double the thickness. The pedestal is flat instead of conical in shape, but that is the limitations of photo etching. The base is provided by a square relief etched plate with some nice surface detailing.

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Fret I

This fret consists of the trolley tracks for the float planes. These have a diamond plate pattern etched on the surface. There are also a number of nicely etched shutters and grills for the secondary gun turrets. There are even some splinter shields for the 25 mm gun mounts designed to be rolled into a cylindrical shape. Interior braces are provided to stiffen them.

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Fret J

This fret includes the diamond plate flooring for the various gun mounts and spaces between them. This detail will give that Yamato a really nice look. The stern open grate floor plates are done with a real open mesh design.

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Fret K

Doors and hatches abound on this fret. Many of the doors are open with frames. There are also plenty of vent grills to use on the funnel and air intakes. 

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Fret L

This fret includes the main gun turret detail items. The frames around the gun barrel openings and the baskets below them are well done with a relief etched bolt pattern around the frame. Hex shaped gun platforms with attached splinter shields and diamond plate floor details are among the other parts included.

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Fret M

Boat and float plane cranes are included with nice plate and bolt details. All kinds of block and tackle detailing is provided to rig your cranes. The various superstructure walkways will really enhance your ship. The funnel grills are really nicely done with separate slats that interlock to give it a nice 3D appearance.

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Fret 14

An extra fret is provided with the IJN Type 21 Radar. This assembly is rather complex and should give you a pretty realistic appearance when assembled.

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METAL PARTS
The metal parts in this set are what really makes it stand out. Replacement main and secondary gun barrels, and anchor chain are details that will really enhance your ship.
Main Gun Barrels
The main gun barrels are machined from brass with realistic tapers and hollowed out ends with realistic thin walls. The barrels have a locating pin on the end to help with placement. Grooves are machined on the base and these look very much like the monster 18" guns used on the Japanese super battleships. Click to enlarge
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Secondary Gun Barrels
The small and medium caliber guns are extremely nice. The are center drilled with mounting pins to help locate them on their plastic counterparts. The barrels include six barrels for the triple 6" guns and twelve barrels for the twin anti-aircraft guns mounts. Click to enlarge
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Cast Metal Propellers
There are two each of the left and right handed propellers included to replace the crude plastic one in your kit. Click to enlarge
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Anchor Chain
Modelers have been adding real chain to their ships for years, and now you can too. There is enough anchor chain to really make your ship stand out. As you can see by the photo on the right, the anchors are very exposed in the way they are stowed and the chain really adds a most realistic effect.  Click to enlarge
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INSTRUCTIONS
Instructions are ten pages with several subassembly view and one page dedicated to identifying the parts.
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BUILDUP PHOTOS
These photo's of the Tamiya kit built up with the photo etch components are provided by the manufacturer. The unpainted photo etch really stands out on this model and helps to illustrate how the parts dress up an otherwise plain kit.
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CONCLUSIONS
Click to enlargeThis set includes a very nice photo etch set with a wide variety of the parts that the typical modeler would want to use. The folding assemblies should make it easier for the average modeler to assemble. The addition of the machined gun barrels is an incredible bonus for this set. Check out this and other Lion Roar sets at your favorite retailer. You can find out more at the Lion Roar website. This is set #350003 IJN Yamato Update Conversions Series. Pricing for this set should be in the $55.00-65.00 range.


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