Tamiya Ship Series No.22 - 1/350 - Japanese Light Cruiser - Mikuma

Stylish Light Cruiser Form

The Japanese Navy's Mogami-class light cruisers were planned under the London Naval Treaty limits with an 8,500 ton standard displacement with 5 triple 15.5cm gun turrets. There were four ships in the class with the Mikuma being the 2nd to be completed in August 1935. She received distinctive Mogami-class features such as the flared bow, compact superstructures, and uniquely shaped funnels, while having different details on the aft mast and crane from those of Mogami, the 1st ship of the class. With the withdrawal from the treaty, the Mikuma was refitted with 20.3cm twin gun turrets and was converted into a heavy cruiser in 1939, then the Mikuma, Suzuya, and Kumano joined the 2nd Fleet as part of Cruiser Division 7. At the start of the Pacific war, they were sent to escort the Malay invasion force, and in February 1942, the Mogami and Mikuma escorted transports for the invasion of Java at Bantam Bay. In June 1942 at the Battle of Midway, the Mogami rammed the left side of the Mikuma during their withdrawal from the bay to avoid attacks from the U.S. submarine. To make matters worse, a concentrated attack by 114 aircraft hit Mikuma 6 times which made her the first Japanese heavy cruiser to be sunk in WWII.

Light Cruiser Mikuma Specifications

- Standard Displacement: 12,000 tons
- Overall Length: 200.6m
- Power: 152,000hp
- Maximum Speed: 35 knots
- Armament: Triple 15.5cm Turretx5, Twin 12.7cm High Angle Gunx4, Twin 25mm Cannonx4, Triple 61cm Torpedo Launcherx4
- Aircraft Complement: Nakajima E8N and Kawanishi E7K floatplanes

About the Model

- This is a 1/350 scale assembly kit model of the Japanese Light Cruiser Mikuma built under the London Naval Treaty, which featured five triple 15.5cm gun turrets.
- You can choose to build either a waterline or a full-hull model.
- Assembly of the deck and hull for such a large model is difficult, but this kit includes reinforcing frame parts and screws to enable accurate assembly for both WL and full hull models.
- The display stand securely attaches to the hull via screws.
- The metal name plate enhances the finish of the model.
- Display stands for the highly detailed float planes are included allowing you to also create a flying diorama.
- The bridge windows and search light lenses are made of transparent parts.
- High quality photo-etched parts to depict details such as float plane propellers and crane are included.
- The masts and radio antennas are made of reinforced ABS resin.
- Metal plated shaft is used for the screw shaft. The anchor and chain are also depicted with metal parts.
- Machine gun parts feature laser processing for a sharper, more realistic finish.
- Parts are included to depict main gun barrels at 2 different elevation levels. Polycaps enable switching of gun turrets as well as free turret rotation for a variety of displays.
- Two Nakajima E8N1 and two Kawanishi E7K1 float planes are included. (Actual complement was two Nakajima E8N1 and one Kawanishi E7K1.)

The light cruiser form with triple 15.5cm gun turrets and bridge's superstructure before they were refitted with AA guns is accurately reproduced.

The included floatplanes feature detailed moldings and have a rich finish. The masts and crane have also been realistically reproduced.

The aft deck and main gun turrets are accurately modeled to recreate the stylish form of the cruiser that was greatly different from the aircraft carrying cruiser Mogami.

In expanding the enjoyment of assembling large ship models, you have the choice to build either a waterline or full hull display model of the Mikuma.

Kit includes photo-etched parts to depict parts such as the crane, catapult, and aircraft propellers for an ultimate realistic finish.