Model Art Co, Ltd
Model Art Modeling Magazine #716 December 2006
Reviewed By  Luke R. Bucci, PhD, IPMS# 33549
[book cover image]
MSRP: 1050 yen (approximately $11)
Pages: 156; Pictures: more than one thousand of article subjects (not counting ads); mostly color; Diagrams: 1 in 1/350 scale; Foldouts: 1
Publisher: Model Art Co., Ltd, 3-11 3chome, Iidabashi Chiyodaku, Tokyo, Japan (www.modelart.jp).

Model Art No. 716 features the new Hasegawa 1/350 Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) destroyer kit of the Yukikaze. Cover photograph depicts two versions of the built kit. The first 45 pages are focused on several IJN destroyer kits, mostly in 1/350 scale. This issue would be very helpful for modelers of IJN destroyers, especially the newer 1/350 scale kits.

As usual, Model Art magazines are almost entirely in Japanese and the paper and pictures are of top quality. Fortunately, the wealth of photographs of models in various stages of construction along with pictures of finished kits paint a visual picture of how to build these kits and how they should appear when finished, so the inability to understand the text is less painful. This issue shows how to build the kits OOB (out of box, with no embellishments other than paint), as well as adding photoetched details and rebuilding pieces. From my experience building several dozen 1/700 scale IJN destroyer kits for over 25 years, and comparing this issue to other Japanese language texts and references, the articles depict very accurate renditions of IJN destroyers ranging from just prior to World War 2 until 1945. The Yukikaze (Snowy Wind, pronounced You-kee-kah-zay) was a lucky ship indeed (I have nicknamed her the Luckykaze). She survived most of the major engagements of the war, and ended up in Taiwanese service refitted with US weapons (now that would be an interesting modeling subject). She was finally scrapped in 1971. The models depicted in this issue are of her war service in the IJN.

This issue also contains articles on a wide variety of kits, along with many pages of advertisements, so would be of interest to all modelers.

The major articles are as follows:
  1. 1:350 scale Hasegawa Yukikaze kit build review of 1944-1945 fit by Satoh Yoshio (last name listed first), with photoetched parts (pages 6-11). During 1943-1944, most IJN destroyers had one of the two rear turrets replaced by additional AA guns, and radars were added to mainmasts and foremasts. In addition, single 25mm and 13mm AA mounts were added throughout the ship.
  2. 1:350 scale Hasegawa Yukikaze kit as commissioned (January 1940) by Nagasawa Hideki, with squadron numbers and name on hull (pages 12-16). All squadron and hull name markings were removed at the start of the war from IJN warships.
  3. Foldout with large photograph of 1:350 Yukikaze kits built OOB and with photoetch details (same models as on front cover). Reverse side has 1:350 scale line drawings of profile and overhead views for the April 1945 Tengo Ooperation (when the Yamato last sortied for Okinawa) (between pages 16-17).
  4. Article showing how a former Tengo crewman of the Yukikaze was given a 1:350 scale model (pages 17-19).
  5. Inset on page 19 shows a scratchbuilt 1:50 scale model of the Yukikaze.
  6. 1:700 Aoshima diorama kit of a Kagero-class (same as Yukikaze) destroyer launching torpedoes in a heavy sea (pages 20-24). This is an action diorama with explosions near the ship and smoke pouring out of the stacks. Hashimoto Kazuki heavbily modified the Aoshima kit, which has some of the poorest detail of any 1:700 waterline IJN kit from the original manufacturers (Aoshima, Fujimi, Hasegawa, Tamiya). A bit heavy on the details, but an interesting view and a phenomenal reworking of a poor kit.
  7. 1:350 Hasegawa Yukikaze kit in 1943 fit (before final AA upgrades) (pages 25-29). This is the same model shown on the front cover and the foldout. Details on how to correct the stern and bridge shapes is shown.
  8. 1:350 Hasegawa Yukikaze kit by Hibiki George (pages 30-31).
  9. History of the Kagero class of IJN destroyers with some black and white photos (pages 32-35). Page 35 shows line drawings of the progression of refits during the war for this class.
  10. 1:350 scale USS Sullivans (DD537) model with a side-by-side comparison to the Yukikaze (pages 36-39).
  11. 1:700 scale model of IJN Hibiki, an earlier Fubuki III class that also survived the war (pages 42-45). Pictures and diagrams show how to correct the early Tamiya kit to build a more accurate late-war rendition.
  12. 1:48 scale Hasegawa T-2CCV aircraft kit build erview (pages 55-59).
  13. 1:72 scale hasegawa Junkers Ju88A-4 kit reviewed (pages 60-64).
  14. 1:48 scale Revell Typhoon Eurofighter kit review (pages 66-69).
  15. 1:35 scale AFV Club Royal Australian Armored Corps Centurion Mk5/1 (Vietnam version) (pages 70-73).
  16. 1:20 scale Studio 27 Super Aguri SA05 racing car kit review (pages 74-77).
  17. Many pictures of armor dioramas (pages 78-79).
  18. Zero Fighter Illustrated article with pictures of the drop tank, including inside view and details of attachments to the fuselage (pages 80-81).
  19. 1:48 Finemolds Japanese Army Type 95 biplane fighter kit review by Nomura Yukihiro (pages 84-91).
  20. 1:72 scale ICM Japanese Army Kawasaki Ki-10-II biplane fighter kit review (pages 92-95).
  21. 1:43 scale 43 Garage+ kit review of a sporty car from 1930 (pages 96-99).
  22. Pages 100-156 are chock-full of ads, new kits and small feature articles.
This magazine would primarily interest aficionados of IJN destroyers. The well-built kits show how to superdetail and even correct the new 1:350 kits, which would also aid 1:700 scale kit builders. The Japanese language for the other kit reviews makes this issue of limited utility for modelers of other subjects. The quality of production is excellent, and this issue can remain as a reference guide for building accurate IJN destroyers.
[review image] [review image]
[review image] [review image]
Information, images, and all other items placed electronically on this site
are the intellectual property of IPMS/USA ®.