1:700 Ijn Aircraft Carrier Shoho (1942) - Full Hull Model

The Shoho of 1942 in the full-hull version

The light aircraft carrier Shoho in her state of 1942 in 1:700 scale from the maker Fujimi. The full-hull version shows the outline of the underwater part too, which is missing on waterline models.

The first Japanese loss in the Coral Sea

The Shoho came about, like a number of other light carriers, by conversion of the already laid-down hull of an auxiliary vessel. She entered service at the beginning of 1942 and her career was very short: in May of the same year formations of carrier aircraft struck her in the Coral Sea and the ship went down as the first Japanese aircraft carrier of this war. The model therefore captures the subject in the only form in which she ever sailed.

How to proceed with the assembly

The short service of the subject has an advantage for the modeler: you do not have to work out which phase of the war the ship should match. Start with the hull and the decks, and only then fit the island, the armament and the fine booms. The finish of the flight deck will take light shading, because an unbroken area otherwise looks flat. The underwater part of the hull tends to have a different shade, so set the boundary with precise tape run along the length of the ship.

For anyone interested in the early period of the war

• Collectors of ships of 1942
• Modelers who build the Battle of the Coral Sea
• Anyone interested in converted aircraft carriers
• More experienced builders of ship models

The set is unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are acquired separately, unless stated otherwise.