The SteelNavy.Com Message Board: Re: I had fun with my Mogami kit

Quote: "These Japanese frigates are fine looking vessels."

Not only are they great looking, their mission sets make them "Japanese LCSs." They perform the same three missions originally planned for the LCS...surface warfare, mine warfare, and ASW. In fact, the early concept designs were much more LCS-like:

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/pit-road-hm52-mogami-class-early-concept-design-dex--1441067

In the end, Japan went with a better hull, and opted to combine all three functions at once (where the US Navy ended up with a "one-at-a-time" platform.) For the JMSDF, they are primarily sub hunters, with secondary mine warfare duties. I have read they are to replace Japan's current mine warfare ships (as the Independence class LCS are scheduled to replace the US Navy's.) The Mogamis can also do surface warfare (the role of our Freedom class LCS.) Our LCS ultimately failed at ASW due to their hull type, and this is where Japan realized early on and switched to a better hull for ASW.

What draws me to them is this recognition of their "kindred relation" to the LCS. Japan admired our program, but saw us headed for mistakes, and corrected their program in time, ending up with the better platform, and getting all three desired missions, not just two. They are what our program should have been. If our own laws weren't in the way, Japan would happily build them for us, too.

Fortunately, I am able to buy one for my collection. As I wrote, I am a fan! I admire them a lot. Nice to have one. Wishing the US Navy could also, but that's just life.

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I've both these kits. The Tamiya one has good detail whilst the Pitroad one has better details and more external features like the boat deck at the rear that has the inflatable boat or towed sonar array. These Japanese frigates are fine looking vessels.

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The recent news of the US Navy on another frigate quest set me on one of my own. A search located a 1/700 Tamiya Mogami FFM for under $20, and nearby at Scale Hobbyist in New Hampshire. While another search then turned up the PitRoad 1/700 offering, I ultimately concluded I could be happy with the "basic representation" of the Tamiya. I was!

The plastic quality was great, and the fit was incredible. I honestly don't think I have had any other kit fit as well or better. After assembling the port and starboard hull halves to supporting bow and stern sections, the instructions have you make four assemblies, then "snap" them up into position from underneath. The stern-most pair of assemblies snapped in well enough. There is a "deck" over the hangar, then the hangar innards snap in snuggly underneath that, and the two help hold each other in place. However, the next two assemblies are upper, and have nothing else beneath them. I found they also snapped in a bit loosely. If they later did slip out and drop down, there was no way to get at them once the waterline base plate was installed. I decided that glue for these would prevent potential future grief. With glue, they are snug and secure, and I have peace of mind.

It was a delightful little build. Straightforward, with great fit. A subject I am very much a fan of. Altogether, one of those times this hobby was fully the enjoyment we're in it for. Would that they could all be like this! Very satisfying.