Shipbucket

Fuso as 1941:

Between december 1940 and april 1941 Fuso returned once again to the drydocks for the second phase of her second modernization and another long series of modifications was implemented:
-Removal of two lookout posts from the pagoda tower.
-Complete replacement of the searchlights with newer "92-Shiki" models.
-Relocation of all aircraft facilities from turret 3 to the stern.
-Removal of the derrick from the back fo the pagoda.
-Reinforcement of the searchlight platforms and fitting of a gangway to link them together.
-Fitting of a 12m ensign staff at the stern.
-Addition of navigation ligts on the aft mast spars.
-Addition of the anti-aircraft command platform on top of the pagoda tower.
-Fitting of a new main gun director.
-Modifications (yes, again) to the RDF equipment.
-Lowering of the pagoda tower superstructure by a deck.

_________________
My Worklist
Sources and documentations are the most welcome.

-Koko Kyouwakoku (Republic of Koko)
-Koko's carrier-based aircrafts of WWII
-Koko Kaiun Yuso Kaisha - KoKaYu Line (Koko AU spinoff)
-Koko - Civil Aviation

Incredible work! Can't wait for the finale!

_________________

MS State Guard - 08 March 2014 - 28 January 2023

The Official IJN Ships & Planes List

#FJB

awesome work

One wonders how long that would survive in the North Atlantic.

Fantastic drawing, though!

the construction looks top heavy, but the superstructure is just small and high, so the stability problem would'n be that gigantic. the only concern I would have is when wind is taken hold of that tower of doom.

but if we see it from an different angle, the structure looks small (It's footprint is tiny, compared to many other ships, but taller):
http://www.ipms-farnborough.co.uk/galle ... CF6683.JPG

I was thinking ice buildup, actually. Lots of nooks and crevices and complex shapes that won't shed well.

This thread is simply amazing!

Fuso as of 1944:

During the course of WWII Fuso was left in the Inland Sea for training duties and refitted three times: in february 1942, july 1943 and august 1944. during those refits, a degaussing cable was fitted and the airwing updated to three Mitsubishi F1M2, followed by the installation of the Type 21 air search radar, the Type 22 surface-search and type 13 air-search radars, the last fitted in a pair unique to Fuso out of all the IJN battleships: abreast the funnel. The last upgrade was that regarding the light anti.aircraft armament, which was argumented in two phases to reach a final configuration of 8 triple, 16 twin and 39 single 25mm machine guns mounts, for a total of 95 barrels, further argumented by 10 single 13mm ones.
In this feat IJN Fuso departed with Vice-Admiral Nishimura Southern Force for operation Sho-Go, bieng ultimately lost with all hands (or with only 10 survivors out of her 1.630-men complement, depending on sources) in the Battle of Surigao Strait.




This was the last iteration for IJN Fuso, for her sister, Yamashiro, I'm planning four drawings, depicting her as of 1917,1935, 1941 and 1944. This time I'll work backwards, starting with the late versions (either 1935 or 1944) and slowly going back in time, something I'm forced to do because of the sources i've collected beign better for the late fits.
Truly, Yamashiro seems to be the most neglected of all IJN battleship.

_________________
My Worklist
Sources and documentations are the most welcome.

-Koko Kyouwakoku (Republic of Koko)
-Koko's carrier-based aircrafts of WWII
-Koko Kaiun Yuso Kaisha - KoKaYu Line (Koko AU spinoff)
-Koko - Civil Aviation

AWESOME work!!!

_________________

MS State Guard - 08 March 2014 - 28 January 2023

The Official IJN Ships & Planes List

#FJB

Very well done. I like the way you've drawn the degaussing cable, with black dots every few pixels. It definitely differentiates it.

Drawing-wise, I really can't see anything that doesn't look "perfect". Really an excellent effort all around. I think the only thing that could be done to improve it would be to add the darker hull red you've identified, but you've already said that's on the way.

This is the reason Shipbucket exists.

_________________
USN components, camouflage colors, & reference links (World War II only)