Mogami class

Ships Modern
1

OK I’ve never built a ship before so looking for some advice.

Australia has just committed to buying 11 Japanese Mogami class frigates.
I would like to have crack at one. So what kits are available? I’ve only been able to find the WW2 Mogami and a detail kit for the current frigate. Scale not an issue.

thanks

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Is this it?

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/tamiya-31037-jmsdf-defense-ship-ffm-1-mogami--1501469

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Thanks. I was hoping for something a bit larger than 1/700. I should have said that rather than dismissing scale at not an issue.

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Upgraded derivatives:
" The new FFM derivative of the Mogami is longer (close to 466 feet), wider (nearly 56 feet), and has a displacement of some 6,200 metric tons. As part of the expanded design, the ships feature an enlarged 32-cell VLS array, as well as an upgraded radar, other improved sensors, and updated mission systems."

" The original Mogami class design (also known as the 30FFM), the first of which only entered Japanese service in 2022, is already a very modern design with its shape featuring some stealthy characteristics. The 436-foot-long, 53-and-a-half-foot-wide, 5,500-metric-ton displacement frigates …"
30 feet longer and almost 2.5 feet wider and 700 metric tons more displacement.
I would guess that the length increase may have something to do with having a 32-cell VLS array instead of the 16-cell on the Mogami class.

I don’t have any info on available kits, apart from the 1/700 Mogami mentioned by @phil2015 .
Tha 30 feet length difference would be visible in 1/350-scale (2.6 cm), not to mention the
32-cell VLS …
Considering that none of the improved ships are in the water yet I think the existence of a
model kit is highly unlikely.

Japan will also build the improved Mogami for their own navy.
"Japan has eight of 12 planned original Mogami-class frigates currently in service and will switch production over to the improved Mogami-class in 2028.

The JMSDF plans to acquire a total of 12 improved Mogami-class frigates, which are approximately 10 metres (30 feet) longer and feature improvements including being fitted with 32 Mk.41 Vertical Launch Systems (VLS) to launch SM-2 and SM-6 air-defense missiles and Tomahawk land-attack missiles. "

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That would be a daunting project, but doable for someone with plenty of references, and who didn’t mind sacrificing a second kit. It appears that the extra length comes behind the second globe shaped radar. The entire deck that it sits on also needs to be lowered, and part of the superstructure cut down. The tower portion of the superstructure also appears to be turned 45 degrees, and may have an extra facet. My guess would be to add more to its stealth characteristics. The additional width is probably too difficult. I certainly wouldn’t attempt it,.

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Some of these small frigates have well-balanced armament and sensors, way better than the U.S. Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships.

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Me neither …

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Less than 1.4 mm. Not worth the effort. Although being a waterline kit it does make it a tiny bit easier.

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Yeah, the width is a minor issue, the length is another matter even if it is on a straight section of the ship.

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Thanks guys. Im not a ship builder. (Yeah i did some years ago. Wooden ones for a museum). So im out of my depth here. Does that qualify as a pun? I have a friend who is a navy nutcase but doesnt build models so I thought I would surprise him. But the 1/700 would disappoint him.

So I guess I will do a wait and see.

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