Akitsushima, Scratchbuilt Japanese Seaplane Tender in 1/72 Scale
Long time lurker, but this is my first attempt at posting. This is my largest scratchbuilt project to date, the Imperial Japanese Navy seaplane tender Akitsushima in 1/72 scale. The project was inspired by Hasegawa’s announcement of their release of the new tool H8K Emily flying boat, long a favorite of mine. The idea of displaying the Emily on a tender took hold of my imagination and wouldn’t let go, sixteen months later the project was complete. The dimensions of the base are just under 6′ x 2′ (183 x 61 cm), the width was determined by the wingspan of the Emily and the length by what I could fit into the bed of my truck! The hull was built up from Evergreen sheet, several fittings are 3-D printed parts from Shapeways. For anyone interested, more finished pictures, construction notes (in twelve parts), and reference pictures can all be found on my blog here: https://inchhighguy.wordpress.com/?s=akitsushima
11 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Paul Mahoney said on January 20, 2019
WOW just WOW that is an amazing build! why have you waited so long to post 🙂 ? That is beyond impressive. I keep looking back at the photos and all the little details. thanks so much for posting. Please share more of your work!
David Mills said on January 20, 2019
Superb Jeff ! I had no idea that the Japanese produced tenders like this – I thought they were for smaller aircraft – so great to see this and in 1/72!
Magnificent !
Craig Abrahamson said on January 20, 2019
WOW….helluva introduction to the site, Jeff. Outstanding workmanship, sir. Welcome!
Tom Cleaver said on January 20, 2019
Amazing work, sir.
Anthony Conway said on January 20, 2019
Superb build.
Mike Morrison said on January 20, 2019
Incredible model, both the concept, and the workmanship !!! You might post this over on Modelwarships.com also. I’m sure they’d be equally blown away — just great!
paul e. owens said on January 20, 2019
Jeff, this is jaw dropping! most excellent sir.
Michel Verschuere said on January 20, 2019
A real beauty, this plane build is almost as good as the scratch job, but you really got yourself a unique model. Where did you get the drawings and plans for the ship, Jeff?
Jeff Groves said on January 20, 2019
Thanks for all the kind words, much appreciated!
For Akitsushima drawings, the best thing to do is find a copy of NAVY YARD Volume 10, the one with the Yamato on the cover. There are line drawings from the original builder’s plans printed inside. They are small, but quite usable when enlarged to 1/72. You will have no problems working from them in smaller scales. There is also a nice pair of builds of the 1/350 Hasegawa kit in that issue, very useful.
Manuel Magrinho said on January 21, 2019
…and in 1/72… insane 😛
Greg Kittinger said on January 21, 2019
Excellent! Love the Emily, and your tender really sets her off. Wonderful details all around.
Robert Royes said on January 21, 2019
What museum is this going in! Fantastic build!
Gary Wiley said on January 22, 2019
Yes indeed, simply amazing. Great job, and what an intro!
Derek Matile said on February 1, 2019
Attention to detail is fantastic.Great to see more scratch building.