AFV's 1/350 IJN I-27 Submarine

1
February 4, 2022
I was totally unaware that AFV did naval of any kind and it was a pleasant surprise to find such great detail in a 1/350 scale sub. Especially after the Tamiya sub.
2
February 4, 2022
This was the first indication that I was going to have quite a detailed build in front of me with lots of scope for enhancement.
3
February 4, 2022
4
February 4, 2022
There will be arials added to this structure at the finish.
5
February 4, 2022
The brass adds some sharpness to the otherwise featureless midget sub.
6
February 4, 2022
Unfortunately. The propellers were really delicate and fragile, falling apart as I tried to remove them from the tree.
But I made a set of my own with some stretched sprue and a hot blade.
7
February 4, 2022
The fender cage was easy to shape and position but the cable deflector is too small and really cant be seen once in place.
8
February 4, 2022
9
February 4, 2022
The elevator veins had the thinnest strip of plastic to act as the connection that passed through the keel plate that was too thin. So made a replacement bar and drilled a hole deep enough to give the support and strength to hold it all together.
10
February 4, 2022
11
February 4, 2022
The three legged support for the radio arials was placed into the holes I drilled to receive the base of each leg.
12
February 4, 2022
With the railings. I used a needle in a pin vice to create the holes needed to receive each stanchion that fitted to the deck, keeping it straight and rigid.
13
February 4, 2022
Torpedo loading crane frames are delicate but strong. Missing the hooks and cables.
14
February 4, 2022
Test fitting to get the correct location of the mountings and hatchways in the clear.
15
February 4, 2022
The catapult launch ramp. Having to shave the inside of each rail to have the brass slot in comfortably.
16
February 4, 2022
17
February 4, 2022
I drilled holes small enough to keep it to scale and then mounted these cable supports.
18
February 4, 2022
Transparent to begin with. But a lick of the green paint made it look a whole lot better. Using latex to cover the canopy and it worked a treat.
The decals had the carrier film removed from the edges and the fit is perfect and sharp.
19
February 4, 2022
For scale. I removed the carrier film from the edges of the decals and the clarity is worth every snip.
20
February 4, 2022
Sydney harbor was the scene of an attempt by the Japanese navy. In late May and early June 1942, during World War II, submarines belonging to the Imperial Japanese Navy made a series of attacks on the Australian cities of Sydney and Newcastle. On the night of 31 May – 1 June, three Ko-hyoteki-class midget submarines, (M-14, M-21 and M-24) each with a two-member crew, entered Sydney Harbour, avoided the partially constructed Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net, and attempted to sink Allied warships. Two of the midget submarines were detected and attacked before they could engage any Allied vessels.
21
February 4, 2022
Almost finished. The final step is the rigging of the arials and as fine as I can get.
I am yet to glue the lower hull to the upper section.
22
February 4, 2022
The 'weathering' will consist of faint streaks of 'rust'. Nothing to intense, but just enough to give the impression that it's had a busy time at and under the sea.
23
February 4, 2022
The midget subs were chained down, and the chains painted white.
I have a fine link chain that I feel will look the part.
24
February 4, 2022
I saw a photo of the upper surface and the hatches had white hinges and the hand rails were covered with plaited cotton roap.
So I duplicated that effect and it breaks the monotony of the grey.
25
February 4, 2022
For it's size. The float plane really looks the part.
26
February 4, 2022
The top rail on many Japanese vessels had fine cotton twining plaited the full length of these rails for good grip in wet conditions.
27
February 10, 2022
The story goes that these manned and one man torpedoes were mostly launched at night, so the lash down chains were painted white for safety reasons and the ease of handling.
28
February 10, 2022
These 'insulators' are made by dabbing liquid latex and building up the size then dabbing matt white . But that turned out too big and needed revising.
29
February 10, 2022
30
February 10, 2022
I have since revised the wiring here, making, smaller insulators and replacing the arials.
31
February 13, 2022
In the last three weeks, I have built three subs, all Japanese.
32
February 13, 2022
The one man torpedoes were coated with Tamiya's line wash and it turned out like a camouflage effect. Quite unexpected but effective.
33
February 13, 2022
I had to order some Japanese flags for the AFV subs as the only decals available in their kit were the aircraft roundels and ID number for the conning tower. But no flag, and the only ones I could find were from 'Hobby Colors' in Greece.
I do have one more sub to build and it is the AFV 1/350 German U-Boat Type VII C.
Much smaller than the Japanese subs at 5 inches in length compared to almost 12 inches for the IJN subs, but with finer detail apparently.
This will complete the collection of subs for me, and pleased with the result. 🙂 👍

Comments

23 4 February 2022, 08:07

Zach Wilson
AFV club does naval subjects??? I am very interested in this revelation

5 February 2022, 05:39

Kerry COX
Hi Zac. Mate, AFV have got (to my surprise) some other IJN 1/350 subs, and here is a link to what they have. 🙂 google.com.au/search..HU_nBCMQjJkEegQIMxAC and here on scale mates. SCM Brand: AFV Club

5 February 2022, 05:46

Robert Podkoński
Fantastic!

5 February 2022, 09:46

Kerry COX
Cheers Robert. 🙂 👍 I had a lot of fun.

5 February 2022, 11:07

Robin (WhiteGlint)
Very nice work, Kerry. 👍

5 February 2022, 11:12

Treehugger
@Zach Wilson
I have the Type VIIC kit from AFV club, and lol, that kit in 1:350 is a little complicated. 🙂

5 February 2022, 11:54

Kerry COX
Mates. Thanks a million for your comments. 🙂
I have found a new exciting field to be involved in, and it's proving lots of fun. 👍

5 February 2022, 15:15

Kerry COX
Hugger. 'A little complicated' says it all mate. But the improvements that come with the after market upgrade sets is really helpful. Especially the decking.

5 February 2022, 15:17

Es-haq Khosravi
Awesome!

11 February 2022, 00:59

Villiers de Vos
A very nice addition. Hats off to you for all those detail work.

13 February 2022, 05:59

Kerry COX
Villiers de Vos Thank you my friend. I didn't realize how detailed they were until now, being a newbie to the genera. A must for those who are looking for a bit of a challenge. 👍 😉

13 February 2022, 07:30

Neuling
Excellent result. Interesting story. 👍

13 February 2022, 09:33

Rui S
How Kezza, what a Beautiful collection. Great Work Mate 👍

13 February 2022, 17:11

Kerry COX
Thank you Rui. That make me feel good mate. 👍 😉

13 February 2022, 20:53

David Taylor
Is that the Sourcouf in the background.

13 February 2022, 22:40

Kerry COX
Yes David. I just HAD to have it as I only just found out about it while researching what 1/350 subs were on the market, and it's history and size just blew me away. 🙂 👍

14 February 2022, 02:17

Kerry COX
I have still got some final 'touch up' work on the rails and flag situation. But basically. All 'finished'. 🙂

14 February 2022, 02:25

Robbie
Hey Kerry,
A little urban legend on your project about the Sydney attack. In Nov '79 the ship I was on (USS Chicago CG-11) did a port visit to Sydney. Two stories I was told by the locals while I was there. One is the ferry that got torpedoed ran across the torpedo fired at the then USS Chicago CA-29 and saved the Chicago from getting hit. The 2nd story is while shooting at the mini subs, a shell (obviously from Chicago) hit the Sydney zoo and killed a Lion.

Cheers

14 February 2022, 20:38

Kerry COX
Robbie. Thank you for that. And I was totally unaware of the lion story. ! But yes. The ferry was sunk by the torpedo that hit the floor of the harbor, directly underneath Kuttabul , the resulting explosion killed 21 seamen and there is now a navy 'ship' called the HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney. Named after the ferry to celebrate that event. ! navy.gov.au/hmas-kuttabul

14 February 2022, 21:19

Robbie
Wiki's version does not mention no lion as a casualty, but the 'ferry' was not moving but moored. Bad aim I guess on the mini sub but the Chicago somehow got blamed on one version where one of Chicago's shells hit the Kuttabul and sank it (along with a lion). With all the shooting and depth charging I am not surprised there were not more casualties besides a lion and a ferry. In the end blame the Chicago...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Kuttabul_(ship)

14 February 2022, 21:57

David Taylor
You will have to do an M class to keep the Sourcouf company.

14 February 2022, 22:47

Kerry COX
LOL. Thanks again for the history update Rob. 👍 The retrieved mini sub is on display at the National War Museum in Canberra. [img1]

14 February 2022, 22:52

Kerry COX
David. Now you have my undivided attention. ! M. ?
Is that the British one with the 12" main gun. ?

14 February 2022, 23:54

David Taylor
Yes it is .Unfortunately M1 sank when it was hit by a ship as it was running just under the surface and was lost with all hands.I believe there was 4 built of the class only the M1 had the 12 inch gun fitted.M2 was converted to a aircraft carrier.M3,minelayer and M4 was scrapped.

15 February 2022, 14:25

Kerry COX
David. Thanks for your info mate.👍
As I was waiting for your reply, I did do a bit of research and saw the 'M' class and was suitably impressed with what I read. 😉
It will be put in my 'possibility' box of things to consider, as just now I have ordered the 'Show case Models' 1/350 Collins class sub, of which my son has served on three different ones in his naval career, those being the 'Collins', 'Rankin' and the 'Dechaineux'. As an AWA, achieving the rank of Petty Officer and ending up instructing on how to be an AWA. (Acoustics Weapons Analyst'. So that will complete my sub collection and keep my boy off my back about building a collins for him. 🙂

15 February 2022, 15:25

David Taylor
Looks like you might be getting Astute class SSN or similar as replacements for your existing boats.

15 February 2022, 19:58

Kerry COX
Yes. Care of the US boat builders I believe. !!!

15 February 2022, 20:36

Daniel Klink
Taddaaah! What a wonderful collection Kerry !!!👍
Congrats Mate 👍

25 April 2022, 17:47

David Taylor
Hi Kerry,update on M1.Ship was found with gun sheared off with fatal flaw.The mounting pintle went straight through the pressure hull to the main control room,thus flooding immidiately.

25 April 2022, 19:02

Kerry COX
Thank you Daniel and David. It has been a delight to immerse myself in something I really enjoy. A 'drift away' subject that puts me in a world of my own. Perfect for an old timer like me. 😉

25 April 2022, 20:16

Kyle DeHart
Awesome job!

26 April 2022, 01:58

Album info

For it's day. This was one of the biggest submarines getting around the oceans.
This type transported the midget subs into Sydney Harbor where two were sunk but not before one torpedoed a ferry.
The remains are now on display at the Australian War Museum in Canberra.

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