1:700 IJN Light Cruiser Yahagi 1944/45

The light cruiser Yahagi 1944/45 in 1:700 scale from Fujimi

An injection-molded plastic kit of a warship in 1:700, the most widespread ship scale, in which a whole collection can be built without taking up a whole cabinet. The manufacturer is the Japanese firm Fujimi, which has long made the ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy in this scale its own domain. The figure 1944/45 in the name narrows down the subject: the model captures the ship as she looked in the last period of her service, not as she looked when completed. The contents of the package, the number of parts and the way the hull is divided are stated on the box and in the instructions.

The real subject

Yahagi was a light cruiser of the Agano class, that is a relatively young design completed only in the course of the war. The ships of this class were designed as flotilla leaders for destroyer squadrons, and their combination of higher speed, medium-caliber gun armament in twin turrets and torpedo armament matched that. Yahagi served as the flagship of a destroyer squadron and was lost in April 1945 during an operation in the waters southwest of the Japanese islands. Her appearance in 1944 and 1945 differs from her original state above all in the strengthened anti-aircraft armament and the radar equipment.

Building and painting tips

With ships in 1:700 scale cleanliness is what decides. First decide whether you will build the model on the water or on a stand, and prepare the base accordingly. Spray the hull and the superstructures with an airbrush, set the deck areas apart in a different shade from the sides, and then even the whole thing out with a dark wash that brings out the engraved detail. Glue the thinnest parts, such as the masts and the gun barrels, with cyanoacrylate glue, and consider adding photo-etched railings, which lift a model markedly. Paint the miniature anti-aircraft armament with a dry brush; a fine canvas shade suits the covers and awnings.

Who the model is for

• For collectors of Imperial Japanese Navy ships in 1:700 scale.
• For modelers who want the particular late appearance of the ship from 1944 and 1945.
• For builders who like to add photo-etch and to make a water surface.
• For intermediate modelers who can handle work with small parts.

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