Hasegawa
IJN Furutaka & Aoba Class Cruisers 1:700 Photoetch Sets
For either of the two Furutaka half-classes
Stock Number: 72085 & 72086
Reviewed By  Luke R. Bucci, IPMS# 33549

[72085 Photoetch set for Furutaka or Kako] [72086 Photoetch set for Aoba or Kinugasa]

MSRP: $12.00 each
Review kits provided by Dragon Models USA (www.dragonmodelsusa.com)

The bottom line: These are the highest quality, small, simple photoetch sets for cranes, torpedo tube storage/handling and searchlight platforms only (no railings, ladders, weapons or other details) to replace kit pieces for one ship of either of the two Furutaka half-classes.

PHOTOETCH SET REVIEW: Hasegawa has joined the photoetch warship parts club. The latest two sets are specific for each half-class of Furutaka class heavy cruisers. Only a few major parts are offered, but they appear to be the most accurate of any photoetch set. The sets replace the aircraft handling crane, reload torpedo storage lockers, torpedo handling cranes, searchlight platform supports, and bridge windows.

72085 [72085 Photoetch set instructions ] [72086 Photoetch set instructions ] 72086

Set 72085 is for the earlier ships Furutaka and Kako. Set 72086 is for Aoba and Kinugasa. They are designed to enhance the Hasegawa kits of each ship, both the dark-plastic original releases (Nos. 54, 59, 64, 67), the light plastic re-releases (Nos. 305, 306, 307, 308) and the newer retooled kits released in 2007 (Nos. 345, 346, 347, 348).

[Frets for Hasegawa 72085 and 72086] The photoetch set is made from thin stainless steel, and has etched relief detail. The photoetch pieces appear easy to assemble and are much better-looking than the original kit plastic pieces. Unfortunately, instructions are completely in Japanese, with almost no English. One can match the kanji characters on the photoetch sets with the ship names on each kit box to positively make sure you use the proper sets. Set 72085 (for Furutaka and Kako) has parts #9 that are braces for something that is not obvious from the kits, and I could not find them in my references.

Other photoetch sets for IJN cruisers have the crane and searchlight platform supports, but they are not as accurate as the Hasegawa sets. However, other photoetch sets will be needed to finish detailing a model.

Summary
Hasegawa has produced a very fine photoetch detail set for each half-class of Furutaka class heavy cruisers. The sets are not complete, and other photoetch sets will be needed. The value is rather expensive, and the number of pieces per fret is small compared to other generic Japanese cruiser photoetch sets. Some research is required to utilize all of the parts correctly. Recommended for super-detailers and those wanting the most accurate pieces for their model as other sets will be needed to detail the model in photoetch.

Pros:
  1. Very fine detail
  2. Most accurate pieces compared to other photoetch sets
  3. Easy to assemble
Cons:
  1. Low value (more expensive than other sets and for fewer pieces)
  2. Only one ship per set can be upgraded
  3. No English language instructions or descriptions
  4. Instructions do not show where photoetched pieces go on models
  5. Model will require other photoetch sets to continue level of detailing (additional expense)
References:

Maru Editorial Department. Mechanism of Japanese Heavy Cruisers, Japan, 1999. ISBN 4-7698-0897-6

Lacroix E, Wells L. Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, 1997. ISBN 0-87021-311-3


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