TAMIYA 1/700 SCALE JAPANESE AIRCRAFT CARRIER ZUIKAKU (PEARL HARBOR ATTACK)
Recreating the Majestic Appearance of Zuikaku During the Attack on Pearl Harbour
During the Pacific War, the Imperial Japanese Navy's aircraft carrier Zuikaku was regarded as an ideal carrier design, offering an excellent balance of speed, aircraft-carrying capacity and defensive capabilities.
Planned in 1937, following the expiry of the Washington Naval Treaty restrictions, Zuikaku was completed in September 1941, shortly before the outbreak of the Pacific War. Free from the limitations imposed by earlier naval treaties, her designers were able to meet the Imperial Japanese Navy's operational requirements without major compromises.
Together with her sister ship, Shokaku, Zuikaku was assigned to the 5th Carrier Division and participated in the attack on Pearl Harbour on 8 December 1941 (Japan time). Her first combat operation proved highly successful, with her aircraft achieving significant results and all returning safely.
In April 1942, Zuikaku took part in the Indian Ocean Raid, during which Japanese carrier aircraft sank the British aircraft carrier HMS Hermes. The following month, she participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea, where Japanese carrier forces sank the American aircraft carrier USS Lexington.
Zuikaku continued to serve in numerous major naval engagements, including the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands and the Battle of the Philippine Sea.
Her distinguished service finally came to an end in October 1944, when she was sunk during the Battle of Leyte Gulf, one of the final major engagements of the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet.
This model captures the impressive appearance of Zuikaku during the attack on Pearl Harbour, commemorating one of the most renowned aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
