Japanase kamikaze boat-shinyo

[Fledermaus]

HI to all!!
This is a project I’m doing for a friend of mine that is to be used as a pattern to be cast in resin for a model company, so when finished I’m not going to paint it as it s not necessary for the casting process. So armed with a few photos from the net I started this adventure…..
Here is the photo that started it all, the Shinyo kamikaze boat. This little boats carried a modified 260 pounds depth charge on the front, the idea is simple, just crash in to the target ship to try to sink it. Early models of the shinyo also had surface to surface rockets on the sides in wooden made ramps.
I started the project by buying the italeri barchino to use as a donor for the hull, with a little modification it is almost identical to the version of shinyo I’m recreating. After taking measurements from a scale drawing I made earlier, the hull need to be wider on the rear so a new back plate was made from styrene.


Another piece of styrene for the bottom of the hull in a triangular shape



After some sanding and a little primer the bottom was ready, the new deck was installed from styrene and the wood moldings at the sides of the boat where also attached and this is how its looks like now





After taking measurements the hole for the pilot cabin was made on the back and a box like structure was placed on the inside followed by sealing and sanding smooth the edges


With my home made plans I started the construction of the cabin

Some views of the cabin progress, all the parts are held together with clear tape so it can be taken apart to cast



The engine bay area is finished and the cabin is dry tested for proper fit, also added the moldings on front of the engine bay and installed the front charge door with its trimming