Just prior to the Pacific war, the Japanese realized that it might be a good idea to have a ship that could perform the anti-aircraft role in a fleet. The US had the Atlanta class to perform this function, but the Japanese did not have the desire to utilize a cruiser size ship for this task. So instead, they designed a large destroyer.

This new ship had new main guns that could elevate to 90 degrees, the sort of thing that was needed. A good crew could fire of 20-25 rounds per minute of these 100mm twin guns. The rest of the ship also had additional smaller 25mm guns. In truth, these smaller guns were rather ineffective, unlike the 40mm Bofors that was used by US ships for this task.

This new title from Kagero continues on with their 3D series. It starts with a short historical section on the development and use of the HMS Dreadnought and then goes into the body of the book.

What makes this book truly remarkable is that there is not a single photograph anywhere within its pages. Instead, modern 3D graphic arts provides the reader with well over 100 renders of the ship's exterior in superb detail. It is as if you walked aboard her with a camera and started photographing everything. Even better, there are images from angles that a man with a camera would not be able to easily reproduce. Every aspect of the ship is covered from stem to stern. This includes many images showing the reloading of the ship's torpedo mount, something we rarely see.  In addition, there is a double-sided fold out sheet included that provides plans of the ship in what looks to be 1/200 scale as it is large, though not noted. Another sheet includes detail drawings in 1/100 and 1/50 scale, a real boon to the modeler.

It is a great read from a historical standpoint and an outstanding visual treat. A book that every destroyer fan and modeler of the type should have in their collection.

August 2013

Review book courtesy of the fine folks at Kagero. Visit them for more books.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and fairly quickly, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.