(特) No. 109 New Special Series 1/700 Scale Imperial Japanese Navy Light Cruiser Sakawa [日本海軍輕巡洋艦 酒匂]

[Model Specifications]

The "Sakawa" (酒匂) the last light cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy to be completed, is now available as a standalone model!

The light cruiser "Sakawa" (酒匂) the fourth ship of the Agano-class (阿賀野型), was laid down at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal (佐世保海軍工廠) in November 1942 during wartime and completed in November 1944, towards the end of the war.

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.

Sakawa (酒匂) was completed the month after the Battle of Leyte Gulf (雷伊泰灣海戰), when the Combined Fleet was unable to conduct organized operations.

It moved from Sasebo (佐世保) to Kure (吳工業) and engaged in training in the western Inland Sea, but had no opportunity to see action.

The month before the end of the war, it moved to Maizuru (舞鶴市).

It remained there until the end of the war.

After the war, it served as a repatriation transport ship, traveling to and from overseas, and was sunk in July 1946 as a test ship for the atomic bomb at Bikini Atoll (比堅尼環礁).

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.

This product uses the same molds as the conventional (Special Series) models.

● The product reproduces the ship's appearance at the time of completion.

• Equipped with Type 21, 22, and 13 radars from the time of completion.
• Equipped with 18 25 mm single-mount machine guns; unlike its sister ships, it was equipped with 10 25 mm machine guns from the start.

● The modern Agano-class (阿賀野型) design, which differed from the previous Japanese light cruisers, is reproduced in detail.

• The hull is assembled by joining the left and right halves, and the portholes are closed and fewer in number compared to its sister ships.
• The external electrical conduits running around the entire perimeter of the hull are delicately sculpted, even showing the fasteners.
• The deck and bridge levels feature linoleum-like fasteners and anti-slip strip patterns on the steel deck, all rendered with sharp detail.
• 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 specially designed parts, with the shield and barrel separated.
• The seaplane recovery crane features detailed reproduction, 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.

● Dedicated parts for Sakawa's distinctive features:

• The aiming window on the front of the main turret is enlarged only on the Sakawa (酒匂), and a dedicated molded part is provided.
• The aircraft work deck, including the opening, features dedicated parts to reflect the differences in shape.
• The chimney and steam exhaust pipes are dedicated parts to reproduce individual ship differences.
• The anti-aircraft gun mounts are shaped with a more angular form, different from the Agano (阿賀野) and Noshiro (能代).

● Two quality parts are available for the Type 96 25 mm machine guns (triple and single).

• The barrel and mount are separate parts for precise shaping and easier painting.
• The molded colors are gray for the mount and gunmetal for the barrel, allowing for color separation without painting.
• The mount and gun barrel runners are combined to fit into the designated positions for gluing, and the design requires gate cutting after using liquid cement.
• The triple machine gun also features separate armor plates, allowing for even more precise construction.
• The other type is the conventional one-piece molded type.

● Two types of decals are included.

• Two types of decals are included, featuring markings 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.
• Includes the Japanese flag and friendly identification stripes (yellow stripes) for aircraft, including the late-war Japanese flag without the white border.
• Decals include draft markings, the chrysanthemum emblem on the bow, and the ship's name on the stern (two types: gold and solid battleship gray).
• 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: 207 pcs.

[Contents]

• Runners x 24
• 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.