1:700 IJN Battleship Musashi Battle of Leyte with Base

The battleship Musashi from the Battle of Leyte in 1:700 scale from Fujimi

This plastic kit from the Japanese manufacturer Fujimi captures the battleship Musashi in her configuration from the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944, that is with the markedly strengthened anti-aircraft armament of her last period of service. According to the name the package also holds a base for displaying the finished model. Fujimi has long devoted itself to Japanese battleships, and 1:700 is the most widespread scale choice for them.

The real subject

Musashi was the second ship of the Yamato class — together with her sister Yamato they were the largest and most heavily armed battleships ever built. The main armament consisted of nine 460 mm guns in three triple turrets. She entered service in 1942 and for most of the war served as part of the main forces of the fleet. On 24 October 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, she was exposed to day-long attacks by American carrier aircraft in the Sibuyan Sea and sank after many torpedo and bomb hits. Her wreck was not found until 2015.

Building and painting tips

Spray the hull and the superstructures in Japanese naval gray and set the deck apart with a wooden or darker shade according to late wartime practice. Bond the small barrels of the anti-aircraft guns with tweezers and a minimum of glue. A dark wash will bring out the layout of the superstructures and a matte varnish will unify the work. The model stands out on the supplied base even without a case, though a case will keep the dust off.

Who the model is for

• those interested in the Japanese wartime fleet and the Battle of Leyte Gulf
• collectors of battleships in 1:700 scale
• modelers who want the famous ship including a base for display
• moderately advanced builders of ship models

The model is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.