The 1/450 IJN Battleship Yamato "Operation Ten-Go 1945" with U.S. Carrier-Based Aircraft is a plastic model kit, primarily manufactured by Hasegawa, commemorating the final, desperate sortie of the Imperial Japanese Navy's largest battleship.
Here's a breakdown of what this kit typically entails:
The Battleship Yamato (Operation Ten-Go 1945):
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Historical Context: The kit depicts the Yamato as she appeared during "Operation Ten-Go" (also known as Ten-Ichi-Go) in April 1945. This was a suicidal mission to Okinawa, intended to disrupt the Allied invasion, which ultimately resulted in the Yamato being sunk by overwhelming U.S. air attacks. The model reflects her heavily augmented anti-aircraft armament from that period.
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Scale: 1/450 scale, which typically results in a model around 58-60 cm (approximately 23 inches) in length, offering a good balance between detail and manageable size.
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Detail: While 1/450 is not as large as 1/350, Hasegawa's Yamato kits in this scale are known for good detail for their size, often including:
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Precisely reproduced hull plating joints and deck engravings.
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Detailed turrets, main gun barrels (often movable), and anti-aircraft weaponry.
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Reproductions of the bridge and chimney areas.
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Some kits may feature integrated parts for easier assembly while maintaining accuracy.
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Many kits are full-hull specifications, allowing the entire ship, including the propellers and rudder, to be displayed on a stand.
U.S. Carrier-Based Aircraft:
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Significance: The inclusion of U.S. carrier-based aircraft is a key feature of this specific kit, directly referencing the historical event where the Yamato was sunk by American air power.
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Aircraft Types: Typically, the kit includes 3D-printed models of U.S. Navy aircraft that participated in the attack, depicted in a parked state. Common aircraft included are:
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F6F-5 Hellcat: A prominent U.S. Navy fighter aircraft.
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TBM-3 Avenger: A torpedo bomber that delivered many of the fatal blows.
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SB2C-4 Helldiver: A dive bomber also instrumental in the attack.
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Scale: These aircraft are also in 1/450 scale to match the Yamato.
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Decals: The kit will include decals for both the Yamato (e.g., Imperial Japanese Navy flag, bow chrysanthemum emblem, ship name) and the U.S. aircraft (markings for historical accuracy, possibly for specific units).
