Model Art, Ltd

Model Art Modeling Magazine Yamato Super Illustration, #745

Reviewed By  Luke R. Bucci, IPMS# 33459

MSRP: 2200 yen (approximately $22) Publication Year: 2008 116 pages Web Site: www.modelart.jp Feature: Imperial Japanese Navy Battleship Yamato This issue is devoted exclusively to the super-battleship Yamato and is in Model Art's usual A4 size and first-class quality, but with a twist. In a welcome departure from their usual practice of Japanese-only text, Model Art has translated all text and figure legends into English for this edition. Yes, you heard me right – English. That makes this issue a keeper and ultimate resource for IJN model builders. Right away there are two foldout pages of 1/500 scale diagrams of Yamato's configurations in 1942, 1944 and 1945. The rest of the book is filled with close-ups of every section and fitting on the Yamato. Those familiar with Janusz Skulski's US Naval Institute Press Anatomy of a Warship book on the Yamato will realize this Model Art magazine is even better for modelers, and more affordable. Model Art's Super Illustration has been updated with crew interviews, new documents and analysis of the wreckage on the sea floor not available to other books. Thus, this magazine is the ultimate authority on the Yamato. Page-filling, detailed diagrams, with English descriptions, fill the entire, aptly-named book. Of course, the shared fittings (guns, boats, radars, directors, planes, etc.) are also useful for building other IJN warships. There are no pictures of models and few photographs, just eye-popping, fantastically-detailed and painstakingly accurate diagrams of everything on the outside of Yamato. Wow. Essential if you want to build any kit of the Yamato in any scale, and also her sister ship, Musashi, and highly recommended as a resource for other IJN warship fittings. This issue is an ultimate description of what the Yamato looked like. I look forward to other Model Art books with English text – it makes a difference. Congratulations to Model Art for a job well done.

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