| The 19 ships of the
Kagero class were arguably the best of the early war Japanese destroyers.
Problems encountered in the preceding Asashio class were resolved
in the Kageros, which combined speed, armament and the potent Long
Lance torpedo in a reliable package. Early war versions, as depicted by my
model, lacked sufficient anti-aircraft armament, radar, and sonar. These
deficiencies were partially addressed in wartime refits, though from a
purely aesthetic point of view, I prefer the spare, uncluttered look of
the early war Kagero. It’s the essence of a destroyer designed
for lethally engaging surface targets with a devastating load of 16 torpedoes.
KAGERO
Laid Down: 3 Sept 1937 Launched:
27 Sept 1938 Completed: 6 Nov 1939
Length: 389'9" oa Beam:
35'6" Draft: 12'4" Displacement:
2,529 tons full load
Armament (early war): six 5" 50
cal (3x2), four 25mm AA (2x2),
Sixteen 61cm torpedoes
Range:
5,000nm @ 18 knots Maximum Speed: 35.5 knots
Complement: 240 officers & men
Fate:
Sunk 8 may 1943 by mine and US aircraft in the Blackett Strait
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I built this Blue Water Navy kit,
which depicts Kagero early in WW2, straight from the box with the
exception of the fore and aft tripod masts. Using the etched brass
versions as templates, I fabricated replacements using brass rod. The kit
is excellent, requiring only minimal clean-up. I photographed the model
prior to rigging and touch-up. I find that good, close-up photos are
useful in locating bare spots, gaps and sloppiness that would otherwise
escape detection. If you want to build a 1:350 Kagero class DD, the BWN
kit is the way to go.
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My
inspiration for this model was the book Japanese Destroyer Captain
by Tameichi Hara. This remarkable account, out of print since the
early 60’s, is the most compelling book by a fighting commander I've
ever read. By IJN standards Hara was a rebel, questioning tactics and
outdated traditions from within a very conformist naval culture. He forbade the beating of
enlisted men aboard his ships, and bent the rules when necessary to
escape the straightjacket of rigid IJN thinking. He literally wrote
the book on torpedo tactics and participated in some of the fiercest
surface engagements with US forces in and around the Solomons.
Destroyers under his command damaged or sunk major US warships. Hara
became a legend in IJN circles and had so many near misses that his
surviving the Pacific war was nothing short of miraculous. More than
anything else, Hara comes through as a thoughtful and perceptive
commander with great regard for his crew. Their terrible casualties
and the pressure to engage in stupid or wasteful strategies (he was
aghast at late war suicide tactics) took a toll on Hara. Increasingly
cynical and disillusioned , he drank heavily towards the end of the
Pacific War. His last command was the light cruiser Yahagi,
which accompanied Yamato on its final sortie. Hara knew the
mission was hopeless, but did his duty and fought the ship to the best
of his great ability. Overwhelmed by US Navy airpower, Yahagi
was sunk and Hara bobbed in the water along with other survivors. US Navy
pilots then strafed and killed many of them, though Hara once again
survived. This book is his story. If you’re able to find a used
copy, count yourself lucky. It’s a great read.
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