The Ayanami Fubuki class destroyer launched
on October 5, 1929. Ayanami was a Type II model with modified 5"
gun turret which could elevate to 75° as opposed to the original 40°.
During World War II, the Ayanami was assigned to Destroyer Division 19,
Squadron 3 of the first fleet. She and sister ship Yugiri sank the Dutch
submarine O-20 on December 19, 1941. Ayanami also participated in
the Battle of Midway as an escort for the Main Body fleet.
Ayanami operated in the Solomon Isles and was part of the bombardment force
that attempted to attack the Marines on Guadalcanal on the night of November
15, 1942. Part of the scouting force with the light cruiser Sendai
and other destroyers she was the first to come in contact with the American
forces. She engaged the American destroyers leading Admiral Lee's task
force 64, and managed to get in some hits on the USS South Dakota. Following
close behind was the Washington, which took her under fire and critically
damaged her. The damage was so severe that the ship was sunk by the Uranami
with a single torpedo. Her wreck is now part of Iron Bottom sound,
aptly named for all the ships from both sides that rest there today.
| Specifications |
| Displacement |
|
2,050 tons |
| Length |
|
378 ft 3 in (115.3 m) |
| Beam |
|
34 ft (10.4 m) |
| Draft |
|
10 ft 6 in (3.2 m) |
| Propulsion |
|
4 Kampon type boilers driving 2 Parsons geared turbines with
2 shafts @50,000 shp |
| Speed |
|
38 knots (70 km/h) |
| Range |
|
5,000 nm at 14 knots (9,200 km at 26 km/h) |
| Armament |
|
6 × 5" (127 mm) / 50 caliber guns in 3 twin turrets (later 4
x 5") |
|
|
22 × 25 mm AA guns |
|
|
2 × 13 mm AA guns |
|
|
9 × 610 mm torpedo tubes |
|
|
36 × depth charges |
| Complement |
|
197 |
|
| This new kit from Pit-Road represents another step forward
from a company known for high quality and detailing. The kit includes a
full lower hull and display stand and an all new approach to tooling a
700 scale ship. The kit is modeled in her early 1942 appearance. This kit
is similar to the previously reviewed Shikinami.
new decals, an upgraded C-sprue, and instructions are the primary differences. |
|
|
| HULL PARTS (SPRUE A) |
|
| The hull on this kit is very nice, it is molded in two
halves separated at the waterline at around the full load mark. Open portholes
and hull plate lines are evident. The deck is now molded separately with
very nice surface detailing. The diamond tread plate is exaggerated, but
looks very good to me and I think it will look even better with some light
weathering. |
Click images
to enlarge |
 |
| The superstructure parts on this sprue are also well detailed.
The various platforms also feature raised diamond tread plate detail.
|
| SPRUE B |
|
| This new sprue contains the lower hull and display stand. The molding
is very nice with separate bilge keels a big plus! The shafts and propellers
look nice and too scale. |
 |
|
|
| SPRUE C |
|
| Many of the main weapons are included on this sprue and are even more
detailed than those on the weapons sprue. The funnels are supplied in halves
with separate bases so even more detail can be molded on. The tops are
also separate with molded on funnel grills. The latter doesn't quite have
the appearance of an open funnel so I would drill these out and replace
with photo etch. The mast and piping details are pretty thin and are closer
to scale appearance. |
 |
|
|
| WEAPONS SPRUE |
|
| What Pit-Road kit would be complete without a weapons sprue. This is
basically the same as the later versions of the IJN weapons sets found
in newer Pit-Road releases. Still they are among the best on the market. |
 |
|
|
| DECALS |
|
| The decals include ship name and numbers, flags and squadron markings.
These are sharp and well registered. |
 |
|
|
| INSTRUCTIONS |
|
| The instructions are step by step views of the assembly process. They
are well illustrated and supplemented by the art work on the back of the
box showing color and decals. |
 |
|
|
| Conclusions: |
|
 This
new Destroyer kit by Pit-Road represents another move forward in detail
and accuracy. It is the best IJN destroyers I have seen yet. Perhaps the
best 1/700 scale destroyer in plastic to date. Many modelers will appreciate
having a full hull option and waterliners will rejoice in having a new
highly detailed kit on the market. Thanks to Pacific
Front Hobbies for the review sample. You can get yours online at Pacific
Front Hobbies secure site for $19.00 US. |
