No. 24 Japanese Heavy Cruiser Tone [日本重巡洋艦 利根]

[A Battle-Hardened Heavy Cruiser: The Result of Concentrated Main Gun Placement]

The Tone-class heavy cruiser was the last type of heavy cruiser built by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Of the two ships in the Tone class, the Tone itself, the lead ship, was completed in November 1938.

It featured a groundbreaking design for its time, concentrating all four of its 20.3 cm twin-turret main guns at the front of the ship, while also having facilities to carry up to six seaplanes for reconnaissance at the rear, thus balancing firepower and scouting capabilities.

Furthermore, its streamlined hull design achieved a top speed of 35 knots and a long cruising range.

Its excellent scouting capabilities and maneuverability led to its and its sister ship, Chikuma, being assigned to the carrier strike force.

When the Pacific War broke out in December 1941, the Tone fought valiantly as the "eye of the fleet" in battles such as Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

In October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, it led the way for Vice Admiral Kurita's fleet and contributed to the sinking of the US escort carrier USS Gambier Bay.

Later, while moored in Kure as a training ship for the Naval Academy in March 1945, it was damaged by a US carrier-based air attack.

In July of the same year, it was bombed again in Etajima Bay, sustaining heavy damage and grounding, where it remained until the end of the war.

[Main Specifications of the Tone]

● Standard displacement: 11,200 tons

● Length: 201.6m

● Power output: 152,000 horsepower

● Speed: 35 knots

● Armament: 4 x 20.3 cm twin gun turrets, 4 x 12.7 cm twin AA gun turrets, 4 x 61 cm triple torpedo tube mounts, 8 x 25 mm triple machine gun mounts, 4 x 25 mm twin machine gun mounts, 25 mm single machine gun

● Aircraft: Type 0 Waterplane Reconnaissance Aircraft

[Model Specifications]

★ This is a plastic model kit of the Japanese heavy cruiser Tone.

★ 1/350 scale, length 576 mm, width 71 mm.

★ The kit faithfully reproduces the sleek and elegant form of this ship, considered a masterpiece of functional design.

★ Represents the ship as it was during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, with additional anti-aircraft guns and radar.

★ The hull features a split upper deck and a one-piece lower hull, creating a realistic and streamlined shape.

★ Large parts such as the hull and deck are securely assembled using screws and reinforcing frame parts.

★ The main gun turrets are meticulously detailed with panel lines and even ventilation slits. The gun barrels can be displayed in either the ready or firing position.

★ The compact bridge structure, the V-shaped boiler room air intakes, and the unique funnel are all faithfully reproduced.

★ The aft section of the ship also features highly detailed elements such as aircraft transport rails, turntable, aircraft transport ramp, and a large crane.

★ The fore and aft masts are made of durable ABS resin.

★ The bridge windows and searchlight lenses are made of transparent plastic.

★ The anchor chain and propeller shaft are made of realistic metal.

★ Includes a Type 0 Waterplane Reconnaissance aircraft. A display stand for the aircraft is also included.

★ A display base with a metal-effect nameplate sticker is provided.