'SOYA' Antarctic Observation Ship 1st Corps - 1/350 Hasegawa

[Caledonia]

Came across an old review of this interesting ship when I was googling, and had one of those must have moments. I got the kit off ebay.


A history can be found here: - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sōya_(icebreaker)


There are three versions of the kit identified by Corps 1st; Corps 2nd and Corps 3rd, the last one has the most significant changes to the other two Have also purchased the Hasegawa photo etch but this is for the 2nd Corps, but I don't believe there is a huge difference. Also purchased the Artwox Timber deck.


I won't do a sprue shot, as they can be found on the internet for those interested, below is a few shots of the kit box contents. The instructions although in Japanese is very detailed with ample illustrations, and includes a separate illustrated book with colour photos (Japanese text), which I believe is unique to the 1st Corps kit.


I am going to do this kit before I start the Scharnhorst. DerekView attachment 109542



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[Snowman]

Very nice, I'll be watching. Plenty of "brass" work to go around!!

 

[The Migrant]

I have this kit in my stash, so I'll be watching with interest. I believe the PE set even includes a 1/350 penguin.

 

[Caledonia]

I have this kit in my stash, so I'll be watching with interest. I believe the PE set even includes a 1/350 penguin.

To copy Wikipedia


Quote.


' Between 1956 to 1962 the Soya undertook missions to the Antarctic. Her second voyage, in 1958, made headlines worldwide when she rescued personnel stranded at the Showa Station (Antarctica) research station in the face of approaching winter. The evacuation did not extend to the mission's dogs, and 15 Karafuto-ken huskies were abandoned to fend for themselves on the ice. The following spring the ship returned to find two dogs still alive. The mutts, named Taro and Jiro, became bywords in Japan for fortitude.'


Unquote.


The photo etch includes these two dogs as well as Penguins and some Crew.


The ship had a Cat Mascot...his name was Taheshi. ( yup, there is a rendering of him in the Photo Etch.)


Armed with all that history forces me to do my first Ice dio.


Derek

 

[demon]

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[Fenlander]

Fascinating subject, look forward to the progress.

 

[Caledonia]

Fascinating subject, look forward to the progress.

Thanks Graham, Will be starting this when I finish the Scharnhorst, but will have a long break in between.


Also have had this one on the back burner for a while, so that will be after the SOYA


http://www.scale-models.co.uk/threads/sy-scotia-1-80-scratch-build-1902-04-scottish-antarctic-expedition.26132/


Derek

 

[spanner570]

Derek, I was wondering what happened to this...


It will make up in to a nice model. I had great fun with the 'ice' when I did my USS Burton Island Icebreaker dio. on here.


I'm sure you will have as much fun too - In fact, and at the risk of having my coat forcibly inserted upon me, you will have a cracking time!

 

[Robert1968]

I will admit I'm not a shipbuilder ( through choice as I think it's too hard ) but this looks definatly one to watch as I like the approach your taking with the kit even though it's all in Japanese ( will google word/ symbol check be used???


Would like to see the water effects creation too ( if you go down this path )


Kind regards


Robert

 

[Caledonia]

Thanks for your interest Ron/Robert. After the King George V and Scharnhorst it will be nice to get away from all those boring guns.


The SOYA instructions are very well detailed Robert, so I don't see any language problems. I will include the dio in my build, but this will be a learning curve for me, as I have only done open sea ones in the past. Have a look at some of Ron's (spanner570) posts, he has done some cracking Ice scenes and I think a tutorial some time ago. Derek

 

[Pigboy]

Wow, looks like it will be a great build. I'm working on the 1:350 Trumpeter Prinz Eugen. My first big kit. A lot of trial and error. This forum helps out a bunch. Happy Modeling