1:350 Takao - Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser

Takao – a Japanese heavy cruiser 1:350, Border Model

This injection-molded plastic kit in 1:350 scale from the maker Border Model portrays the Japanese heavy cruiser Takao of the Second World War period. It is a new, richly detailed kit; the package combines plastic parts with metal barrels for the main guns, photo-etched parts and 3D-printed details. The model is built full hull on a stand and reaches a length of around 58 cm.

The real subject

Takao was the lead ship of the class of heavy cruisers of the same name of the Imperial Japanese Navy, brought into service at the beginning of the nineteen-thirties. The cruisers of the Takao class were among the largest and most heavily armed Japanese cruisers – they carried a main armament of 20 cm caliber in turrets, a strong anti-aircraft armament and torpedoes, and they stood out for their high speed. During the Second World War Takao took part in a number of operations in the Pacific, including the great naval engagements of its closing stage.

Building and painting tips

Decide how you will seat the hull on the stand supplied, and paint the decks and superstructures by subassemblies before the final assembly. Put the gun turrets together separately and fit the metal barrels only at the end. Glue fine photo-etched parts, for example railings and ladders, with cyanoacrylate glue (super glue). The model will show to advantage with the gaps between the deck planks brought out by a wash and with restrained weathering of the superstructures.

Who the model is for

• Collectors of Japanese naval machinery of the Second World War
• Modelers with experience of building ships and photo-etch
• Anyone interested in the heavy cruisers of the Takao class
• Builders who will appreciate metal barrels and 3D-printed details in the package

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