Thanks to Casemate Books for the review copy!

Kagero Publishing has produced a large number of WW2 single-warship books from their Super Drawings in 3D series. Each book has roughly 80 pages (82 for Shimakaze), beginning with a short biography of the ship followed by a wealth of CG (computer-generated), three-dimensional, full-color drawings and a 1:200 scale B&W line drawing foldout of side/top views and details of fittings and close-ups on the obverse side.

These are reference works of the highest quality, detail and interest for modelers. All sorts of views, and close-ups of ship sections, and fittings (turrets, boats, torpedo tubes, masts, radars, etc.) are exquisitely illustrated in accurate color. Their detail is so well studied that this book listed the proposed names for the other ships in this class of destroyers that were never built. An experienced modeler will understand that universal fittings for each navy’s warships are also found on other ships, so any book will serve as a guide for common fittings per each navy.

I had not seen evidence of the radar shack built into the mainmast in Shimakaze’s final fit before her loss. Other destroyer classes also did not show this shack, but late-war cruiser refits did (see the IPMS/USA review series of four photoetch sets used on the IJN Aobafrom 2012-2013). Not sure if this is the most thorough research in the world (unreferenced) or artistic license (which was explained as illustrating some details with some evidence but no pictorial proof).

Summary

If you want to build the Shimakazein any scale, this is the only reference you need. In fact, it will drive you crazy with its accuracy and detail – you are forewarned. Nothing else I have seen compares to this book for building the Shimakaze. Sure wish I had this when I built my half-squadron of four Shimakaze-class 1/700 DDs. Highest possible recommendation.

Figures

• Figure 1: Front cover ofThe Japanese Destroyer Shimakaze.
• Figure 2: Back cover of The Japanese Destroyer Shimakaze.
• Figure 3: An example of an illustration – the deck immediately behind the aft twin 127mm turret.

References

• Maru Editorial Department. Mechanism of Japanese Destroyers. 4, Japan, 1999. ISBN 4-7698-0898-4
• Whitley, M.J. Destroyers of World War Two. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, USA, 1988. ISBN 0-87021-326-1