Military Model Scene

Title:  Super Drawings in 3D, The Japanese Destroyer Suzutsuki 1945

Author: Mariusz Motyka

Publisher:  Kagero

ISBN:  978-83-66148-15-4

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One of a number of new recent additions to this series of soft cover books from Kagero. The Suzutsuki was a large destroyer built for the IJN (Imperial Japanese Navy) and which entered service in January 1943. It was a flexible, multi-purpose ship, though primarily designed as an anti-aircraft vessel. So armament was geared towards AA weaponry, but she also carried torpedoes and depth charges. Her final wartime voyage was in April 1945 in support of Okinawa but badly damaged she was able to get back to port at Sasebo by siling stern first, and once in port she was not repaired but used as a floating AA battery. So, though badly damaged, she did actually survive the war.

This and much more detail is included in the background text which makes up for the opening few pages. Then we have the rest of the 73 pages of this softcover book filled with the excellent full colour 3D computer images of each element of the ship. Section by section of the hull, superstructures and fittings in excellent detail.  I particularly liked the illustrations of the torpedo tube mounting, and the box of quick reloads that is alongside it on deck. The main gun turrets, the gun mountings, depth charge throwers and racks, masts and radars and so on. Right by the bow are two lookout platforms set into the deck railings, but I have to say there is no way I would want to be standing in those when the ship was in any kind of heavy sea, that must have been scary.

As usual, tucked into the book is a larger, fold out sheet of 1/200 scale line drawings of the Suzutsuki, with both sides, front back and hull profiles it is great for anyone planning on building a large model of this destroyer.

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Distributed by Casemate Books, who kindly provided my review copy.

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Robin