IJN Ise
by Atle Ellefsen

1/500 IJN Ise (Nichimo)

My model of the Imperial Japanese Navy hybrid battleship Ise was built during a nine-month period, from January to September 2004. The kit was purchased from HobbyLink Japan and brings back childhood memories; I was thrilled to re-discover the kit on the internet. On my ninth birthday I got the model as a present. I lived in Japan at the time, and miraculously it survived the move back to Norway and existed in my collection until it disappeared some time in the mid seventies. I still, strangely, have a few bits and pieces remaining in my "wreck-box". My birthday present was probably built in a few days, using ample amounts of cement and no paint. Now, 38 years later I behold a different animal.

The kit is manufactured by Nichimo; in 1/500 scale and of rather basic configuration out of the box. I used GMM's IJN battleship photo-etch set, WEM colour coats, a range of Evergreen strips for additional details and mostly Lycra for the rigging. A lot of putty, flash removal and fitting adjustments had to be carried out; nevertheless the model was incredibly fun and most inspiring to build.