(特) No. 108 New Special Series 1/700 Scale Imperial Japanese Navy Light Cruiser Yahagi ~ Year 1945/1944 (Showa 20/Showa 19) [日本海軍輕巡洋艦 矢矧 ~ 昭和20年/昭和19年]

[Model Specifications]

The state-of-the-art light cruiser from the era before the treaties – now available in two versions: one for its final sortie with the Yamato (大和), and another for its appearance in Year 1944.

The light cruiser "Yahagi," (矢矧) the third ship of the Agano-class (阿賀野型), was completed at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal (佐世保海軍工廠) in December 1943 during wartime.

The Agano-class (阿賀野型) was planned as a flagship for torpedo squadrons, and featured a modern appearance and armament that set it apart from the previous 5,500-ton class.

It was equipped with three twin 15 cm guns and two newly developed twin 8 cm anti-aircraft guns.

After completion, Yahagi participated in major battles, including the Battle of the Philippine Sea (菲律賓海海戰) and the Battle of Leyte Gulf (雷伊泰灣海戰).

During this time, its anti-aircraft armament was strengthened.

In April 1945, as the flagship of the Second Torpedo Squadron to escort the battleship Yamato (大和) in Operation Ten-Go (天一号作戦), a countermeasure against the US landings on Okinawa (沖繩), Yahagi (矢矧) was hit by seven torpedoes and more than twelve bombs from superior US carrier-based aircraft and sunk en route to Okinawa (沖繩).

This product is an unpainted kit requiring glue assembly and painting.

The scale is 1/700, and it is a waterline model that does not include the hull bottom.

◆ The product allows you to choose from multiple yearly configurations:

• The final configuration that sortied to Okinawa with the Yamato during Operation Ten-Go (天一号作戦) in April 1945, equipped with 28 25mm single-mount machine guns.
• After the Battle of the Philippine Sea (菲律賓海海戰) at the end of June 1944, equipped with 18 25 mm single-mount machine guns, before the change in the shape of the flight deck.
• The configuration during the Battle of the Philippine Sea (菲律賓海海戰) in June 1944, when the single-mount machine guns were believed to have not been increased.

◆ Parts corresponding to the yearly changes of the Yahagi are provided and included:

• The support tube for the high-angle rangefinder is a separate part to correspond to the shape change between 1944 and 1945.
• The flight deck has two different yearly dedicated parts corresponding to the shape of the opening.
• The deck near the stern has two different dedicated parts to reproduce the appearance of different fittings depending on the year. * Two types of davits are provided for the davits on both sides of the bridge forward: deployed and retracted. The former is for use in Year 1944, when the ship's boats had not yet been landed.

◆ Reproducing the unique features of the third ship, Yahagi (矢矧), which differs from its sister ships.

• The bridge is a dedicated part for Yahagi (矢矧), clearly reproducing the difference in shape.
• The main gun roof is a dedicated part, unlike that of Sakawa (酒匂), with a smaller aiming window on the left front of the roof.

◆ Reproducing the modern shape of the Agano-class (阿賀野型), which differs from the flow of Japanese light cruisers up to that point.

• The hull is constructed by joining left and right halves, and the model reproduces the appearance after the portholes were closed and the number of ports was reduced compared to when the ship was completed.
• The external electrical conduits running around the entire perimeter of the hull are delicately sculpted, even showing the fasteners.
• The deck and each level of the bridge feature linoleum-like fasteners and anti-slip strip patterns of the steel deck, expressed with sharp sculpting.
• The shelter section in front of the bridge is a single piece created using slide molding. The side walls feature intricate carvings and shaping.
• The main gun turrets are molded using slide molding to reproduce windows, ladders, and steel plate joints on the sides and top.
• The grille at the top of the funnel is realistically molded in a hollow state, and the internal fairing plates are also three-dimensionally represented as separate parts.
• The funnel is assembled by joining the left and right halves, and the monkey ladder is also carved. The steam exhaust pipes are separate parts to express the differences from sister ships.
• The triangular pyramidal truss at the bottom of the mast is molded using slide molding to create a hollow state.
• The small cranes on both sides of the aft end of the aircraft work deck are three-dimensionally and accurately reproduced as separate parts.
• The 4.5-meter high-angle rangefinder accurately reproduces the cylindrical arm shape and is included as a dedicated part.
• The Type 22 radar, gangway (storage), direction-finding antenna, and spare wing storage are all included as separate parts without any omissions.
• The 8 cm twin anti-aircraft guns are included as newly designed parts, with the shield and barrel separated.
• The seaplane recovery crane features detailed reproductions, including the lightening holes on the sides, for increased precision.
• Two Zero (three-seat) seaplanes (水上偵察機零式) are included. The molded color is gray.

◆ Two types of decals are included.

• The decal set includes two types of decals for the naval ensign, the Japanese flag, and aircraft markings.
• Three sizes of naval ensigns are provided. The actual dimensions of 10, 6, and 3 widths are reproduced in 1/700 scale. The decals include the Hinomaru (Japanese national flag 日の丸) and friendly identification stripes (yellow stripe) for aircraft, including the Hinomaru (日の丸) without the white border from the later stages of the war.
• Decals for draft markings, the chrysanthemum emblem on the bow, and the ship's name on the stern (two types: gold and solid warship gray).

◆ The Type 96 25 mm machine gun (triple or single) is available in two quality parts.

• Precisely shaped with separate barrel and mount parts, making painting easier.
• The mount and barrel runners fit together into the designated positions for gluing, and the design allows for gate cutting after using liquid adhesive. The molded colors are gray for the mount and gunmetal for the barrel, allowing for color separation without painting. The triple machine gun also features separate armor plates for even greater precision.
• The other option is the conventional one-piece molded type.
• The molded parts consist of three colors: gray (mimicking the Kure Naval Arsenal colors 呉工廠色), clear, and gunmetal.

Number of assembly parts: 208 pcs. (as of Year 1945 Version)

[Contents included]

• Runners x 29
• Assembly instructions x 1
• Decals x 2

Please note that due to monitor and image resolution issues, the color may appear different from the actual product. The product is new and unopened.

*This product is made in Japan.
*This product is a plastic model kit that requires assembly.

Please note that colors may appear different from the actual product due to monitor and image resolution issues.

The product is brand new and unopened.

The release date is undecided and may be subject to change.