IJN Yamato - Model for small scale printing 3D print model

The Yamato-class of battleships was the largest class of ships ever built. No battleship since has been as large, with other nations not coming even close to the displacement of the class. Three units were built in total: Yamato, Musashi and Shinano, all prior and during the second world war.

Since Japans industry was smaller than the ones of other nations, they couldnt build as many ships in several classes like the US did at the time. Hence a class of giant dimensions was planned, even though they would violate several treaties and agreements. Still the ships were built, having a displacement of up to 71.000 tons, bearing a main calibre of 18.1". Two ships, the Yamato and Musashi were completed as designed, yet Shinano was converted into a carrier during the war after the loss at Midway.

Yamato would see no use against other battleships during the war. Her main task was to house the commanding officers of the naval forces, gaining the nickname of a Hotel in the process. The ship escorted other task forces in several missions like at Midway, yet was never in front line use. When the war turned and the Imperial Japanese Navy was forced into a defensive position, Yamato was one of the last units to be thrown at the advancing US Navy. The general believe was, that as long Yamato was afloat, Japan could still win the war. After undergoing a refit , she was sent into Operation Ten-gō in the April of 1945. The US Navy sent up to 280 planes at the Japanese Task Force, determined to sink their flagship. After two hours of constant battering anda fatal magazine detonation during the capsize, Yamato slipped beneath the waves, having been hit by 11 torpedoes and 6 bombs. She took 3055 of the 3332 crew with her. The loss of the heaviest battleship Japan still had and the consequent loss of mission and territory to the US hit the naval forces hard.

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

1/4000: 6,5cm or 2.55in

1/3000: 8,7cm or 3.43in (recommended)

1/2000: 13,1cm or 5.16in

1/1000: 26,3cm or 10.35in

For self calculation: The Yamato was 263 metres or 862ft long

The model is intended to be used with little supports as possible, yet some are recommended around the barrels, below the secondary platforms, the rangefinders and the cage mast aft. I recommend using a resin printer for this, with supports placed under fragile parts like the barrels. Up and downscaling might be possible, yet I dont know to what extend.

If you have ideas for more ships to model, feel free to message me.