Military Model Scene

Title:  TopDrawings 62, The Japanese Destroyer Shimakaze

Author: Mariusz Motyka

Publisher:  Kagero

ISBN:  978-83-66148-02-4

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Another of the most recent batch of additions to this popular series takes on the subject of a new destroyer for the Japanese Navy (IJN) during WW2, with a projected speed of 40 knots. It was one of a planned series of 16 vessels of the class, but the situation meant that only this single prototype was actually built. As usual with the series the opening pages have a dual language (English/Polish) background section, including a table with the specifications of the ship.

There are then 22 pages of 3D line drawings illustrating the different sections of the ship, showing them from opposite views. Alongside them are extra small details of parts such as ventilators, gun and torpedo turrets, aerials on the main masts, rangefinders, binocular mountings, single/double/triple gun mounts and plenty more. Then, tucked within the pages, a separate fold out large sheet with full 1/200 scale drawings of the complete ship, ideal for modellers considering building their own example, and big enough for motorisation as well.

So an interesting set of plans for anyone interested in the ships of the IJN in WW2, and a fine reference for modellers in particular from Kagero

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Distributed by Casemate Books, who kindly provided my review copy.

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Robin