1/700 Special Series No.002 EX-1 Japanese Navy Battleship Kongo (1944/Operation Sho-Ichi-Go) Plus Spec Plastic Model

This detailed model kit recreates the Kongō battleship's final appearance, from its enhanced anti-aircraft armament during the Battle of Leyte Gulf!

Precise outfitting parts have been added to the standard specification (STD), and the Zero floatplane and searchlights are made with clear plastic for a more realistic look.

This is an unpainted kit that requires assembly and painting.

This is a 1/700 scale model of the ship, and does not include the bottom of the vessel.

This product is constructed using molds from the previous (special series) model.

The Kongō battleship is the oldest of the 12 battleships that fought in the Pacific War, having been completed in 1913 by Vickers in the UK. With a length of 222m and a width of 28.96m, it was equipped with eight 35.6cm 45-caliber guns. After its second and final refit, the Kongō was a battleship known for its high speed, reaching a speed of 30.3kt.

With the outbreak of the Pacific War, it participated in the Southern Front and accompanied the Task Force in the Indian Ocean Campaign. During the Battle of Guadalcanal, the ship participated in many memorable operations, including bombarding airfields alongside the third ship, the Haruna. After taking part in the Battle of Leyte Gulf (Operation Sho-Ichi-Go) in October 1944, it was sunk by a torpedo attack from a US submarine while sailing through the Taiwan Strait.

(Basic Specifications) - Assembly-type assembly kit featuring meticulous detailing - Mainly gray molding allows for fun painting as the model is assembled.

- This product is based on the first Kongō-class battleship, the Kongō, as seen from its final appearance during Operation Sho-Ichi-Go in October 1944. - Equipped with No. 21 and No. 22 radars on the bridge, and No. 13 radar on the aft mast. - Equipped with additional machine gun turrets on the canopies of the second and third main guns. - Enlarged air defense command post. - Two searchlights removed, and triple 25mm machine guns added. - Partial removal of secondary guns, closed casings, and two additional 12.7cm twin anti-aircraft guns. - Lookout compass removed. The anti-aircraft command post shape has been recreated. - The appearance after the No. 7 and No. 8 machine guns were relocated to the gun turret near the funnel. - The 4.5-meter rangefinder on the aft bridge has been replaced with an additional machine gun. - The appearance with an additional single machine gun.

(Structure, Specifications, Features) - The hull has a one-piece structure with port and starboard sides. - The blocked portholes, a characteristic of late-war ships, are depicted with raised molding.

- The upper deck is a single piece with delicate carvings on the wooden deck. - The bridge base is a one-piece part created with a slide mold.

- The linoleum flooring on the aircraft deck is provided as a separate part from the upper deck. - The Kongō is the only ship with a slanted boundary with the wooden deck, recreated with a dedicated part.

- The funnel is a two-part structure, with the left and right sides glued together. - The strip patterns on the floor, such as the anti-aircraft gun mounts, are depicted with intricate carvings. - The funnel caps are removed for a sense of precision.

- The main gun canopy is a Kongo/Hiei-exclusive part with a flat, side-view design. - The main gun barrel and canvas are integrated, with fixed elevation and depression angles. - The main gun muzzle is open thanks to a slide mold.

- The 25mm twin machine guns include additional, precisely sculpted parts. - A two-part design for easy painting, featuring molded parts from 2018.

- The bridge includes a binocular telescope for added precision.

- The shipboard floatplane includes two Zero-type observation seaplanes (molded in gray) and one Zero-type observation seaplane (molded in clear). - The main parts, ship bottom plate, aircraft carriers, and machine gun parts are molded in gray. - Searchlight parts are molded in clear.

- Quality Includes separate parts designed for improved functionality, commonality, and easy painting. - 2021 molded parts for replacing existing parts.

- Includes No. 13, No. 22, and No. 21 radars. - The No. 22 radar can also be manufactured in an extended form.

- Includes a 9-meter cutter, a 12-meter motorboat, a 12-meter motor launch, and a mount. - Separate wood and naval colors and canvas sections for painting convenience.

- Includes the chrysanthemum crest on the bow and sidelights on both sides of the bridge (some modification required for installation).

- Includes two decals. - One decal sheet featuring the naval ensign and aircraft markings. - One decal sheet featuring the stern ship name and draft notation. This product is made in Japan. This product is a plastic model kit that requires assembly. Plastic Model Plus Specifications [Scale] 1/700