Product Review

Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruiser, damaged at the Battle of Midway, she was reconstructed as a hybrid cruiser-carrier in 1942-43 to accommodate reconnaissance floatplanes and was scuttled after being crippled during the Battle of the Surigao Strait in 1944. Model features optional full or waterline hull, strengthening bulkheads, large parts secured with screws (screwdriver included), highly detailed superstructure, weapons and decks, plus ship's boats and deck fittings, Also includes transparent parts for bridge windows and searchlight lenses, durable ABS masts/fine structures, metal anchor chains and propeller shafts, photo-etch parts (crane, catapult, aircraft propellers, and catapult trolleys), display stand with nameplates, and 11 highly detailed seaplanes (8 Aichi E13A 'Jake' and 3 Mitsubishi F1M 'Pete', plus 6 wire stands to depict aircraft in flight). Finishing touches are a color painting guide, printed paper flag sheet and decals for ship and aircraft - including national insignia, wing ID stripes, float stripes, canopy panels and tail deflection lines. Completed model is approximately 22.3" long.