Japan - Kongo Class Battlecruiser/Fast Battleship

[Hood]

These just keep getting better and better!

[emperor_andreas]

AWESOME work, my friend!

[erik_t]

I'd be fascinated to know the theory behind this one.

[heuhen]

I'd be fascinated to know the theory behind this one.

I have only two theory, to my mind on this one:

- camouflage to go with the background noise(light) from a city!
- light reflection in the water from the moon!

either way, someone must have been a bit "crazy"

[BB1987]

Unfortunately, the reasoning or purpose of that camouflage scheme is completely unknown to me. Never found anything about it. Even the guys at combinedfleet.com (nihon kaigun website) have no informations about in on Haruna TROM (tabular record of movement).

[Colombamike]

Early experimental anti-submarine camo

[Hood]

I guess it would slightly pre-date the major efforts at dazzle practiced by the Royal Navy and this seems to be somehwat different from counter-shading though it could have been an idea to take that to the next step to break up the outline of the ship. The chevrons on the funnels and mast are an odd touch, they may have broken up the outline but they are quite small to have much effect over longer ranges.

[eswube]

Fantastic work with that paintjob.

[Garlicdesign]

Hi BB

Been offline for a while and just wanted to express my overwhelmedness at this series. Hiei in particular has always been one of my favourites.

Greetings
GD

[BB1987]

Hiei as of 1930:

Between October 1929 and April 1930 Hiei was demilitarized and converted into a traning ship to comply with the upcoming limitation of the London Naval Treaty. The aftmost turret was removed, as well as all torpedo tubes and the side main armor belt. Boilers were reduced to 11, cutting the maximum speed to 18 knots, and the forward funnel removed. All aircraft and related equipment was landed.
Still, all of her demilitarized equpment and armament was carefully stored and preserved.