Aoshima A004540 1/700 I.J.N. Light Cruiser Oyodo 1944

Oyodo was a Japanese light cruiser of the Second World War. The keel for this unit was laid in 1941, the launch took place in April 1942, and the entry into service - in 1943. The length of the ship was 192 meters and a width of 15.7 meters. Full displacement reached approx. 11,400 tons, and maximum speed - approx. 34 knots. The deck armament, at the time of launching, consisted of: 6 155 mm guns, 8 100 mm AA guns and 18 25 mm cannons. Until 1944, the unit could operate six seaplanes.

The Oyodo was built as the only unit of its class. It was designed as the flagship of a squadron of submarines that interacted with the main surface forces of the fleet. It places emphasis on a large swimming range, considerable autonomy, possibly large reconnaissance and reconnaissance possibilities as well as extensive communication equipment. Finally, a very unusual light cruiser was created, equipped with as many as 6 seaplanes, but with relatively weak main armament. It also differed from other ships of this type in the Japanese Navy by the lack of torpedo tubes. Oyodo, shortly after entering service, was directed to the Truk base in the Carolingian archipelago, but in February 1944 it returned to its mother waters. In the period of March-April 1944, the Oyodo underwent modernization, which included: strengthening the anti-aircraft armament, dismantling parts of the seaplane service equipment and installing a new Type 22 radar. The unit thus modernized took part in the Battle of Leyte Bay in October 1944 year where it was slightly damaged. The unit was sunk in an air attack at the Kure naval base on July 28, 1945.

Aoshima's 1/700-scale "Waterline" series model kit of the Japanese Navy light cruiser Oyodo, with its characteristic large aircraft hangar renovated into a communications headquarters room, has been renewed with more precision! The parts structure is simple and easy to assemble for accurate reproduction; in addition to various equipment such as anti-aircraft guns, catapults and electric probes, a newly designed carrier-based aircraft has been added. Some of the parts are slide-molded for density and precision; in addition to armaments such as destroyer main guns and machine guns, carrier-based aircraft and various equipment have been updated. The outfitting parts (Type 96 25mm triple machine gun, direction finder antenna, No. 22 electric probe, No. 13 electric probe, Type 94 shooting device, 90cm signal searchlight, 110cm signal searchlight, Kure type 2 type 5 injection machine (aircraft catapult), 11m internal fire launch, 11m fire boat, 9m cutter, and Type 0 water reconnaissance aircraft) have been renewed with new molds.

This is an injection-plastic ship model kit.