IJN Taiho
by Paul Helfrich

1/700 IJN Taiho (Bachmann/Fujimi)

If you're like me, you think of Bachmann primarily as a manufacturer of entry-level HO and N scale track, trains, and accessories. And indeed, that's about all you'll find under the name of Philadelphia-based Bachmann these days. But at some point in the past, they must have also produced plastic models. They must also have entered into some kind of licensing agreement with the Japanese model companies, as evidenced by this interesting model sold under the name "Bachmann/Fujimi."

The aircraft carrier Taiho has been one of Tamiya's issues in the waterline series as long as I can remember, but somehow Fujimi was credited for this one. In the Bachmann edition, it became a motorized full-hull model, rather than a waterline kit.

Like lots of motorized kits, it's a bit toy-like, and lacks scale propellers and rudders. I opted to build it straight out of the box, improving as best I could with a good paint job, washing, and dry-brushing. I did originally intend to build it with the motor and try to sail it, but the switch mechanism proved so awkward I gave up on that particular plan and glued it to the display stand.

It's now something of a curiosity piece among my many other 1/700 scale models. Anyone know of other kits put out by Bachmann/Fujimi?