Kit Reviews: IJN Battleship Nagato
(in box review):

Manufacturer: Nichimo
Scale: 1/500
Medium: Plastic Injection
Reviewer: Sinosauropteryx
Model rating: 4.5/10

Coming soon:

Models of the Nagato
Spec Sheet on the Nagato class

The ship:

The Nagato was the first ship of the famous "8-8" Fleet Program and the first battlewagon of the world to carry a main armament of 16" guns. Launched on 9th November 1919 and completed on 15th November 1920, the Nagato was powerful (8 x 16", 20 x 5.5" and 4 x 3" AA), well-protected and fast (26.5kt). Extensively modernized between the wars, the Nagato saw action at the battles of Midway, Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf. She survived the war and was expended as a target at the Bikini A-Bomb tests on 29th July 1946.



The kit:

This is a very old kit, launched by Nichimo in the late 1960s, and a poor one. Many parts lack details and accuracy, especially those of the bridge, the 5" AA mounts and the 25mm single mounts (awful!), and do not fit well together. There is a lot of flash on them as well. The hull is a two-piece one, but you will find a seam when you try to "dry-fit" it. Motorized parts and running gear are included, but only one over-sized screw with metal shaft for propulsion is provided, that means you will have to scratch build four shafts and propellers if you want to make it a full-hull model for display. Obviously this kit is intended to be built more as a bathtub/pond toy than a model. If you want to build a Nagato, buy the Aoshima 1/700 WL kit instead (the Hi-Mold Nagato is perfect, but very expensive).