1/700 Special Series No. 45 Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Takao (1944/Operation Sho-Ichi-Go) Plastic Model

Product Introduction

New parts have been added to recreate the Battle of Leyte Gulf appearance, featuring enhanced anti-aircraft armament, Type 21, 22, and 13 radars, and numerous single-barreled machine guns!

This is an unpainted kit that requires assembly and painting. This is a 1/700 scale underwater model that does not include the hull. This product is made up of the previous (special series) mold and newly added mold parts.

The heavy cruiser "Takao" was an improved and revised version of the previous Myoko-class cruiser, and was built as a treaty cruiser. The first ship, "Takao," was completed at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal in 1932, and four ships were built: "Atago," "Chokai," and "Maya." Five 20.3 cm twin turrets were installed, each with an elevation angle of 70 degrees, allowing for anti-aircraft fire. The ship underwent a remodel in 1939, reducing the size of its bridge, installing a bulge, and relocating its aft mast to improve communications. At the start of the war, it participated in the Southwestern Front Operation, but during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, it was torpedoed by a US submarine and forced to retreat after losing its combat capability. The war ended in Singapore, and it was seized by the British Navy and sunk at sea.

This product is modeled after the first Takao-class ship, the Takao, as it appeared during the Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944). Only the Takao and Atago feature a number of exclusive parts, including a reduced-size bridge during pre-war remodeling and a relocated aft mast.

New molds have been used to standardize the level of reproduction of equipment and other details depending on the product release date, and some parts have been divided to accommodate painting.

The Type 13 radar features a sculpted truss structure and newly included parts that recreate the shape of the antenna. - The No. 21 radar features more delicate sculpting than previous accessory parts, such as the insulator base for fixing the elements on the front side. - The No. 22 radar uses a slide mold to recreate the open state. - The 12.7 cm Twin Anti-Aircraft Gun Type A1 is subdivided into four parts, improving the modeling resolution from the previous two-part model. - The 9-meter cutter is made into two parts to allow for painting, and the mount is available as a separate part, or you can choose to have it molded as an integrated deck. - The 11-meter motorboat has the canvas and wheelhouse/engine room canopy made into separate parts to allow for painting. Each part is painted and then assembled and glued later. - The ship's boat mount has molded uneven shapes and light holes, giving it a more precise modeling. - New parts are provided for the chrysanthemum crest on the bow and the sidelights on the sides of the bridge. - Binocular telescope parts have been added to the air defense command post and compass bridge. - Decals have been added for the stern ship name (painted in naval colors) and the white mast line. - The Type 96 25mm machine gun is now a standard two-part model, reducing the amount of painting required.

Hull - The hull has a one-piece structure, with the port and starboard sides molded as a single unit, allowing for a more stable assembly than a jointed assembly. - The side bulges installed during the refurbishment are molded as a single piece. - The numerous blocked and unblocked portholes lined up on the side, as well as the surrounding external electrical wiring, are reproduced with three-dimensional sculpture.

Upper Deck - The upper deck is a single part, and features carvings that enhance the sense of detail, such as linoleum deck retainers and anti-slip steel deck features. - The upper deck's slope (camber angle) is reproduced as it decreases from port to port.

Decks - Various details are reproduced, including machine gun ammunition boxes, single machine gun mounting areas, and hose reels. - The shelter deck is a separate part, accurately recreating the torpedo equipment compartment below. - The aircraft operations deck is a separate part, with vertical surfaces also sculpted using a slide mold.

Bridge - The distinctive large bridge structure is a single-piece part with sculpted details on all four sides, created using a slide mold. - The air defense command post and compass deck are created using a slide mold, with each deck layer, including the wind protection equipment, meticulously recreated.

Main Gun Turret - The main gun barrel's muzzle is reproduced, and the angle of elevation and depression can be adjusted by adjusting the attachment angle to the turret. - The seams of the heat shield on the sides and top of the turret are meticulously sculpted.

Funnel - Both the front and rear funnels are separated into left and right halves, and the handrails and double scaffolding are delicately sculpted. - The funnel's rain grille is removed, allowing the inner tube to be seen through. - The steam exhaust pipe is a separate part from the funnel, reproducing individual differences from ships of the same class.

Masts/Aviation Equipment - The aft mast's lower truss structure is molded as a single piece, allowing for easy reproduction of detailed shapes. - The floatplane hoisting and storage crane is made using a slide mold, with the truss shape sculpted on the sides and top, and the hook is also delicately modeled. - The catapult (Kure Type 2, Model 5) is made using a slide mold, providing realistic side and top modeling.

Aircraft - The mold color is gray for improved workability (to prevent damage when cutting the gate). - Two A6M Zero (three-seat) floatplanes are included.

Included Decals - Markings are included, including the naval ensign, national flag, and the Japanese flag for aircraft carriers. - The naval ensign is available in three sizes. This set includes 1/700 scale replicas of the actual 10cm, 6cm, and 3cm wide dimensions.

Includes the Hinomaru (Japanese flag) and friendly identification stripe (yellow stripe) used on aircraft carriers, including the Hinomaru (Japanese flag) without the white border seen later in the war.

Includes decals for the mast white line and stern ship name inscription (gold or solid warship colors).

[Included Contents]

34 runners

1 assembly manual

2 decals

This product is made in Japan.

This is a plastic model kit that requires assembly.

Safety Warning

None Plastic Model [Scale] 1/700