Tamiya 1/350 Mogami Heavy Cruiser With Gun

The Tamiya 1/350 Mogami Heavy Cruiser with Gun (HC-78023) presents a scale representation of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s Mogami-class cruiser in her gun-armed configuration. This subject follows the vessel’s transition from treaty-era light cruiser armament to a later 20.3cm main battery, offering rich historical context for ship modellers and naval enthusiasts.

Historical Background

Under Japan’s First Fleet Replenish Program of 1931, a special allowance of 50,955 tons permitted construction of new light cruisers with 6-inch guns. Work on Mogami began at the Kure Naval Arsenal, and the original ship combined significant firepower and protection within the limits of an 8,500-ton displacement.

• Initial armament: five triple 15.5cm gun turrets
• Four triple 61cm torpedo launchers
• Four twin 12.7cm gun mounts
• Protection against 8-inch shells
• Four twin 25mm guns
• Two twin 13mm machine guns

After naval treaties were lifted, Mogami received 20.3cm gun turrets. The change made the ship top-heavy and unstable, leading to a series of reinforcement measures including hull strengthening, resizing of the bridge, and repairs to cracks and hull plating.

Service Highlights

• Participated in the WWII invasion of Java at Bantam Bay
• Took part in Indian Ocean raids in the Bay of Bengal
• Involved in the Midway invasion
• Later defeated by a torpedo from Akebono off the Panaon Islands

Capturing a pivotal IJN cruiser from the interwar and WWII periods, Tamiya’s HC-78023 subject makes a compelling 1/350 scale portrayal for those interested in Mogami-class history and Japanese naval warships.