Aoshima A005178 1/700 IJN Seaplane Tender Akitsushima

The Akitsushima was a seaplane tender of the Imperial Japanese Navy, serving during World War II from 1942 until she was sunk in September 1944.

In 1938, the IJN wanted to use their large-sized flying boats more effective, because the Kawanishi H6K was the only aircraft able to hit Pearl Harbor directly from the Marshall Islands. However, the Marshall Islands did not have flying boat facilities at that time. The IJN therefore planned two kinds of seaplane tenders which were included in the Maru 4 program. The IJN planned a 3,500-ton class tender. The ships should be able to maintain, repair and supply seaplanes. The IJN intended to accommodate the flying boat by bow-up trim and slope at first; however, this plan was cancelled and the Akitsushima class was equipped with a 35-ton crane. She was commissioned on 29 April 1942, and sunk in September 1944 at Coron Bay.

This waterline kit is molded in gray, black and brown plastic; decals are included. 

This is an injection-plastic ship model kit.