Specifications for the Kamikawa Maru

Model manufacturer: Skywave
Scale: 1/700
Commissioned: December 2002
Extras (Photo-etched etc): Parts from the GMM photoetch set for IJN
auxillaries, A6M2-N ‘Rufe’ floatplanes from the detail sets supplied with
many of the destroyer kits by Tamiya, Hasegawa and Aoshima. Also a resin H6K
‘Mavis’ by White Ensign Models
Any parts rebuilt: The bridge was modified to include the large windows seen
on many Merchant ships of the era.
Manhours from beginning to end: Around 30 Hours
Modellers’ difficulty rating: The Skywave kit is very well molded and builds
a fine replica straight from the box. The Kimikawa Maru also had a very
pretty camoflage for the Aleutian Operations, which I may tackle later.
Notes: The model here represents the Kamikawa Maru in early 1943 when she
was fitted with the Type21 air search radar and carried both ‘Pete’ and
‘Rufe’ floatplanes. I wanted to give her a well-used appearance as she spent
her final months kicking around the Rabaul Shortlands area.