This is my first (completed) ship model in 1/700 and took about 1 month to complete. The Yahagi was commissioned in December 1943 and lasted just 15 months. My model depicts the Yahagi in February '44 when she had just one Type 13 Air Search Radar antenna array (instead of 2 in the box). I had tried to build the Yahagi 2 years ago, with no reference material other than the box art painting, and thought the de-gaussing cables around the ship were hand rails...... Anyway I got posted to Tokyo to work, and got a wealth of information plus 1/200 scale plans. Also managed to get my hands on a lot of great photoetched from FineMolds and Joe-World. 

Modifications - 

• Completely scratch-built the masts in brass
• Photo etched crane and railings from GMM 1/700 IJN Destroyer and Cruiser set
• Gun barrels replaced with turned brass barrels (then I found out that they had them in the store &%$#"!"#$%&' )
• Flag from the Tamiya Mikuma kit
• Searchlights, ship's boats and range finders from Pit Road Japanese Warship upgrade parts series
• Aircraft catapult rails, dolly, hopper by Joe-World
• Degaussing cables 25mm MG, 13mm MG, Boat davits, all radar antennae and ladders by FineMolds
• All rigging done with Seabird ultra fine steel wire