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| OVERVIEW |
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| The new Hasegawa
Nagato created quite a stir when it hit the market. It is the first
new 1/350 Japanese battleship released in many years. It features lots
of detail, but there is always room for improvement. This new set from
Lion Roar has all the details you need to do that improvement. |
| PHOTO ETCH FRETS |
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| Fret A features drooped chain railings. These are nicely etched but
do not feature the gutter rail along the bottom found on other aftermarket
sets. |
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| Fret B includes more railings, mostly smaller ones for individual platforms.
Foot rails for the funnel are shaped to match the curvature and have braces
that are bent downward. |
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| Fret C consists mostly of the degaussing cables for the hull. These
are broken up into sections to go around the various hull shapes. |
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| Fret D includes the catapults and aircraft handling parts. Most are
relief etched and very nicely detailed. |
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| Fret E includes most of the anti aircraft gun mounts. These are nice
little assemblies that feature relief etching to bring out the details.
I especially like the way part #22 is designed to use the brass barrels
mentioned below. |
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| Fret F includes the searchlight platforms, mast details, and various
platforms. The yardarms feature have gusset details that are enhanced by
the relief etching used. A second fret includes another searchlight tower
that appears to be identical to the one on the other fret. |
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| Fret G includes a variety of ladders, both vertical and inclined. These
come in all shapes and sizes to match the deck they connect to. |
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| Fret H includes new gun tubs and decks with a relief etched diamond
plate pattern. New splinter shield walls are matched to the various decks
and have scribed lines on them for braces also featured on this fret. |
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| Fret I contains a multitude of open doors and hatches with relief etching
to bring out the details. Boat cradle's and cable reels are also included.
Fold-up ammo boxes of two sizes are included. |
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| Fret J features a variety of braces and platforms with radar assemblies
and even rigging details. Again there is extensive use of relief etching
to give the parts a more realistic 3D appearance. |
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| Fret K includes plenty of awning stantions designed to support awnings.
More platforms and parts for the pagoda mast are included. These parts
have a more realistic appearance than their plastic counterparts. |
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| Fret L contains 1941 specific parts to replace the later radar. These
parts are shown on page three, however I am unsure of what the large fame's
that mount on the #2 and #3 turrets. |
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| RESIN PARTS |
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| Blast bags are provided for the gun mounts. These are designed
to work with the brass barrels shown and have locating holes for them.
The main guns are provided with two different elevations; level and |
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Mattress like bags are provided to simulate those typically applied to
the superstructure of Japanese ships for protection from shrapnel. These
are a real nice touch and an often overlooked detail. Also included are
little horns for sound detection and |
| METAL PARTS |
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| The metal parts in this set are what really makes it stand out. Replacement
main, secondary, and light gun barrels are details that will really enhance
your ship. |
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| Main Gun Barrels (MA) |
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| The main gun barrels are machined from brass with realistic tapers
and hollowed out ends with nice prominent rings around the base. The barrels
have a locating pin on the end to help with placement. |
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| Secondary Gun Barrels (MB) |
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| The medium caliber guns are very nice. The are center drilled with
mounting pins to help locate them on their plastic counterparts. |
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| Light Gun Barrels (MC) |
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| These smaller caliber gun barrels are also well done with true-to-scale
dimensions. |
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| Light Gun Barrels (MD) |
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| Finally these barrels will allow you to build a really nice twin barrel
gun mount using the photo etch in Fret E above. |
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| NAMEPLATE |
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| Another nice touch is the nameplate in Japanese script to add to your
finished ship base. |
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| INSTRUCTIONS |
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| Instructions are nine pages with several subassembly view and one page
dedicated to identifying the parts. These are well drawn and should be
very helpful in detailing your ship. Very well done and more than enough
to help you detail your ship. |
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| These photo's of the Hasegawa
Nagato kit built up with the photo etch, resin and brass parts installed
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 |
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 This
set is a one stop upgrade solution for a better Nagato. Very well done
photo etch, resin, and brass parts give you the option to go all out on
your model. 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 #350008 Nagato Update set. Pricing for this
set should be in the $200 range. Steep yes, but worth it when you consider
all that is included. |
