Kagero Publishing
Japanese Heavy Cruiser Tone

Super Drawings in 3D

Reviewed by Glen Porter

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Tone and her sister Chikuma were the last heavy cruisers built before Japan entered the Second World War. They also benefited from an inquiry into previous ships being week in the hull due to over use of welding and so these two were largely riveted.

Although intended to be repeats of the Mogami class, which were built as light cruisers because of their 155mm (6 inch) guns, later up gunned to 203mm (8 inch) thus reclassifying them to heavy cruisers, the Tones were built with the 203mm guns right from the start. The four twin turrets, the Mogamis’ had five, were all place forward with No.2 super firing over No.1 facing forward and No.3 and 4 on the main deck facing aft.

This left the after deck clear for aircraft use. They were designed to carry up to nine reconnaissance sea planes although rarely were this number ever carried.

They remained popular with both staff and crews through out their careers.

These 3D books by Kagero are unbelievably good. The first 15 Pages are mainly text describing design, construction, armour, guns, boats, aircraft and history with just a few bits of art but from then on it’s mainly 2 views per page. They look at the subject ships from every conceivable angle with the exception of perhaps, from directly below. In some scenes, where objects like boats or airoplanes are removable, they are left out to show the detail behind and, of course, it’s all in glorious colour.

Even photographic walk rounds of the actual ships would not give the modeller this degree of clarity and detail making then indispensable to the serious builder.

Thanks to Kagero for this review sample.

Review Copyright © 2012 by Glen Porter
This Page Created on 2 May, 2012
Last updated 2 May, 2012

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