Hey all. Has anyone battled one of the Myoko or Takao class cruisers in fast gun? My assumption is that they are too long with too little rudder to be particularly effective. Can anyone confirm or deny that? Now that I have finished scratch -building a Suffren class boat, I want to build one more cruiser before attmpting to build a battle-wagon. Thanks.
I've battled Takao and Myoko. They are very battleable. They don't turn as well as the shorter (US) cruisers but they have such large bulges and low freeboard that they are somewhat harder to hit. They also have sloping rear deck that lets you get guns down low. Good deck seals and light superstructure is a must. They back down well and are hard to hit in the stern. Kind of a high-risk/high-reward but still very cruiser tactic ships. Aoba is twin ruddered and turns awesome but is kinda small and light for a class 3. There is a laser kit wood kit for Takao (I've built it) that is awesome.
SAS has a takao that runs from time to time and might actually be finished next year. turning issues but low to the ground. also somewhat hard to fit everything in if you don't plan ahead.
Takao is a good boat, but the Mogami is better, large like the Takao, with twin rudders. I have been battling mine for 8 years now, been sunk only twice, both times at Nats when equipment failed due to me being lazy saying its good enough.
Mogami is superior to Takao/Myoko as far as turning circle, I just don't think it is as pretty. I enjoyed mine but it went back home this fall after battling it for 2 years.
Rob Clarke had one in NABS and it did have a larger turning circle than a Mogami. As mentioned above the rear gun angles were good due to the sloping q-deck. Rob's model sank in rough water with only moderate damage because the rear hatch wasn't tight enough. There's not much freeboard aft so you don't want to take waves from astern without a good hatch seal.
I used a Maya at Nats in Minnesota and I agree with everyone else it is not as good as a Mogami in turning but can be effective if you have good starting and stopping power. I used 540 motors and a large pump, twin pivoting stern guns down angled due to the slopping deck. I was lucky not to sink at Nats that week because I was dancing with the big boys all week. With the combination of speed and 15° twin stern guns I had a fun week with it. They are one heck of a good looking ship, which she won a trophy for her looks. Banzai !
