JS Ashigara - Model for small scale printing 3D print model

The Atago-class is a class of guided-missile destroyers designed and built by Japan and was the second class employing the US-built AEGIS system. Two units have been built in total: Atago and Ashigara. Noteworthy is that Japan reused names from ships having served in world war two, having been heavy cruisers of different classes.

After the preceeding Kongo-class had been built and tested, Japan came to the conclusion that the new class of warships should use the AEGIS-System once more. As the now outdated Tachikaze-class was planned for retirement, concrete plans to build a new class were made shortly after the century turned. As the basis the Kongo-class was taken, though several changes were made. The hull was lenghtened and the VLS moved. Additionally, stealth capabilities were added through the addition of sheeting and angled walls. Since helicopters proved to be important onboard the new classes of ships built, especially taking the planned Hyuuga-class into account, preparations for servicing helicopters onboard were taken. Like the US-counterpart the Atago-class recieved a hangar on the aft deck to shelter a helicopter in bad weather. The new design also included a switch to several locally built systems. The Harpoon missiles were exchanged for the Type 90 anti-ship missiles, the OTO Melara main gun was traded for a Mk45 5"/62 built under license.

In total the Atago class has access to 96 VLS-cells in two seperate batteries, two triple torpedo launchers as well as several systems which stay similar to the Kongo-class. Due to the lenghtening of the hull the displacement increased slightly, now slightly surpassing 10.000 tons under full load. Overall the design is a more updated version of the Kongo-class, setting a clear trend in japanese warship design featuring the AEGIS-system. This trend would be continued with the currently last iteration of the design, being the Maya class.

The Ashigara was laid down as the second ship of the class in April of 2005 and was launched over a year later. Her commissioning happened in 2008, after which her assigned homeport was Sasebo. As the ship is a modern one, she has not taken part in any active combat activities yet. Her first real emergency situation was the earthquake and tsunami of 2011, in which she took part in disaster relief. Due to the rising tensions between Japan and North Korea, Ashigara took part in several exercises with the US Navy which went close to the Korean peninsula. Additionally the destroyer was sent to several exercises near Hawaii, for example RIMPAC 2020 where she screened JS Ise.

This model includes a Statsheet which displays some data of the ship as well as two renderings of the model. The full scale image is located in the zip-archive.

Note: This model is recommended to be used in the 1/2000 scale. The models itself isnt scaled, the scale table is down below.

1/4000: 4,13cm or 1.62in

1/3000: 5,5cm or 2.16in

1/2000: 8,25cm or 3.24in

1/1000: 16,5cm or 6.49in

For self calculation: The JS Ashigara is roughly 165m or 541ft 4in long.

The model is intended to be used with little supports as possible, yet some are recommended below the barrel of the main gun, fire control radars and the main mast. Be carefull when removing the support structures, as the mast is quite fragile and high in mass especially the braces are fragile. I recommend using a resin printer for this. Up and Downsclaling might be possible, yet I dont know to what extend.

If you face issues with the model, have questions or want to propose some changes, please reach out to me, I am always happy to help. I am also open for suggetions for new ships which I havent done yet, as I am looking to expand my catalogue of ships.