1:700 Ars Nova - Battleship Kirishima

The battleship Kirishima of the Ars Nova line, 1:700 scale

The kit belongs to the line of models after the animated series Arpeggio of Blue Steel, in which the so-called Fog Fleet appears. Its vessels stem in shape from historical ships, but they are supplemented with features real ships never had. So this is not a reconstruction of a particular vessel but a model after a screen subject. The 1:700 scale meanwhile stays the same as on ordinary models of surface ships.

The real subject

The name Kirishima is carried in the series by one of the battleships of the Fog Fleet. The silhouette refers to the Japanese battleship of the same name from the first half of the 20th century, but weapon and propulsion features invented for the needs of the story are added to it. The model thus joins the recognizable shape of a classic warship with a markedly technical, futuristic look, and it is therefore of interest even to modelers who otherwise build historical ships.

Building and painting tips

Fictional vessels stand up to a different approach from historical models. A smooth and clean surface with no heavy weathering pays off, because wear would come across as alien on this subject. A thinned wash will deepen the dark shades, and a dry brush in a lighter tone will bring out the edges and projections. A semi-matte or slightly glossy surface will do the technical look good, as will accurate masking of the color transitions with masking tape. Apply the decals onto a gloss base and unify them with varnish once dry. The model looks good on a simple dark stand, which will lift the silhouette.

Who the model is for

• Fans of the series Arpeggio of Blue Steel and its vessels
• Collectors of ships in 1:700 scale who are looking for something unusual
• Modelers who want a model with a striking shape without the need for historical accuracy
• Builders with experience of small parts

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.