Rather than make you chase 3x responses around the board, let me sing your praises on all your latest posts: the above, your Kinu and your Akitsuki - right here, Don. For all 3 of which, let me say first off, I really enjoyed your writing style - dramatic, often humorous and increasingly graphic/metaphorical (even poetic) - all of which only improving with the years, including the way you (have always been able to) blend ship's history seamlessly with review of the model kit/build.

Thus, after reading your post on Kinu - even about so lackluster a(n historical) player, as well as (IMHO too) small, 700-scale kit - I am nevertheless inspired to build one. (Albeit in a larger scale, where details could be done (relatively) more finely. And also the USN subs which seemingly constantly stalked her, along with all the other IJN ships throughout the war.) I appreciate your keeping the sweet little aircraft and particularly your "scratch-bashed" PE catapult, as well as the job you did on the guns/turrets, too!

Likewise for your Akitsuki post - this one a far more historic subject - this model crying even louder of finer-detail, IMHO, particularly regarding that over-thick railing which (especially on the main deck level) you might could just leave off. Among larger-scale alternatives other than expensive/difficult resin, don't forget also the 200-scale Nichimo kits, recently repopped (though I don't know what the prices are up to) wonderfully at- or near the same scale as several USN Fleet Boat kits. Again overall, great writing and kit/build log, in a thoroughly enjoyable post, buddy!

All of which just provides further inspiration (Thank You!) for me to complete my similar-themed subjects of IJN DD Natsushio and her nemesis, S-37

Now, returning to your current/SLEP refits - amazing (for someone who has an actual job) - and some quite interesting (more) modern subjects. I particularly enjoy the visual comparison between VA-class CGN and Spruance-class "DDG" - to which, as always I say, both CRUISERS: the latter a helicopter-carrying cruiser, and the former a missile-escort cruiser. The irony being, of course, that the "DD" is the one better-suited to patrolling alone - the original "cruiser"'s task - while the CGN is clearly designed to escort the Carrier Battle Group! ( Am I right?)

Anyway, this is again a much-appreciated post (though I must say the pics - all these latest pics, especially with the blue-gray IJN camo - look rather dark, on my screen, and I do Thank You for these submissions, Don!

And looking forward even more to the next ones - on your WWII USN subjects, buddy!


Cheers,

- Matt