Kashima was a Japanese light cruiser the keel of which was laid in 1938, launched in September 1939, and entered service with the Imperial Japanese Navy in May 1940. The length of the ship was 130 m, width 15.9 m, and a full displacement - 7,100 tons. Cruiser Kashima's maximum speed was only 18 knots. The main armament was 4 140 mm guns in two turrets, two cannons each, and the additional armament was, among others: two 127 mm guns and two twin 533 mm torpedo tubes.
Kashima was the second Katori-class cruiser in succession. Originally, at the time of ordering, these types of units were planned as training ships, but during the Pacific War, they were adapted as light cruisers and performed various auxiliary functions in the Japanese fleet. The career of cruiser Kashima during World War II began in January 1942, when the unit supported the Japanese landing on Rabaul. In May 1942, she took part in Operation MO, i.e. the landing of Japanese troops in New Guinea, which prevented her from taking part in the Battle of the Coral Sea. In 1944, the unit performed primarily transport functions, including: transporting Japanese soldiers to Okinawa and Taiwan. At the end of 1944, Kashima underwent a thorough modernization, which significantly increased its potential for ZOP (Fighting Submarines) activities. In light of this, it is not surprising that Kashima has been on anti-submarine patrol in the South China Sea since February 1945. After the war, the cruiser was taken over by the Americans and served as a transport unit, and by July 1947 the ship was scrapped.
A detailed waterline kit of the IJN's Kashima. Represents the late war configuration with more complex masts, additional AA batteries, and lack of torpedo tubes.
This is an injection-plastic ship model kit.
