I originally built this model as my first 1/700 scale ship in 2015, and just recently built it again, only this time with some modifications to the basic model. I decided, after some research, went with a totally different color scheme as I found that were numerous variations of what the ship was actually painted in on Dec 7, 1941. I went with the Navy blue 5-N with the turret tops of #'s 1,2,& 4 painted in Red for Battleship Div 1 (pre-war)..I also then decided to replace the tripod masts with pre-modeled cage masts from BlueRidge models as per the pre-conversion to the tripods. I used the 5inch AA guns from SkyWaves USN Equip set for a better look in the same scale; replaced the model's aircraft with biplane SOC 3s from Trumpter and used a different type of AA machine guns for the crow's nest and deck guns. All in all, made a diorama using a styrofoam base spray painted in blue covered with (for accent purposes) a blue gel from AK Paints, and then 2 ships from Hasegawa's Tugger Set. The only real problem is using the 14in guns that come with the model itself..have to be careful when attaching. I also used a spray gray primer before beginning any painting ( hand paint not air airbrush).

I used this model (and price) for my first attempt in a long time at 1/700 ships. Most all parts went together well, except I had trouble with the main tripod mast and getting the wing floats on the planes. Good starter kit though I think. Next project is more 1/700 destroyers: Hammon and Cushing; USS San Francisco and CV2 Lexinton.

This was a fun build. I made it to donate to my American Legion Post in honor of my Dad, who was a WWII Navy Vet. I added several photo-etched details that I got here on Hobbylinc. My only complaint was the kit lacks the walk-around decking midships by the midship guns. I didn't notice this until I had added the decking or I would have reproduced it. It would be a simple matter of just adding a small piece of sheet styrene on either side to represent the deck.