1/700 JMSDF Haruna DDH-141 (PitRoad/Skywave)
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by Mario (Moe) Mares |
1/700 JMSDF Haruna DDH-141 (PitRoad/Skywave)
JMSDF (Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force) Haruna DDH-141 was a destroyer that had aviation capabilities. Built in the early 1970’s as with her sister-ship JMSDF Hiei DDH-142 both ships can hold three (3) helicopters and have a hanger to hold them inside, more than US Navy destroyers of the time.Although the ship had two (2) 5”/54cal guns, staggered one behind on a platform, the other up forward, and having a BPDMS (Basic Point Defense Missile System), before being upgraded in the 80’s with SeaSparrow, Phalanx CIWS, chaff, and other upgrades internally. Both ships have been decommission 2009 and 2011 respectfully and replaced a decade after they were built by the Shirane-class that had a better electronic suite but the same aviation facilities and almost looking similar in appearance.
I built JMSDF Haruna, for what she looked like after the FRAM (Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization) of 1983. Much work was done for this 1/700 Pitroad-Skywave (J27) kit, even though it is an older kit. The adding of a lower hull for this water-lined kit was provided by another model builder ‘Spejic’ (who also provided Many other hulls and decals), plus MANY different photo-etch (PE) sets from Pitroad, Five Star Models, Gold Medal Models, Flyhawk, Artist Hobby, Tom’s Modelworks, and White Ensign Models as well as HAWK decals. Plus the paints from Tamiya and Mr. Color Spray, I would also like to thank ‘Maxium’ as well for providing photos that I have not researched before.
