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Hasegawa is releasing two Special Edition versions kits that had been offered as waterline kits previously but now as full-hull subjects.

First, the Furutaka, a lead ship in the two-vessel Furutaka-class of heavy cruisers. The class were the first generation of high speed heavy cruisers in the Japanese navy, intended to counter the American Omaha class and British Hawkins class scout cruisers. In WWII, she took part in the Battles of the Coral Sea, Savo Island and Cape Esperance, where she was sunk.

Next, the Aoba was also the lead ship in the two vessel class of heavy cruisers and served as a patrol craft, largely along the China coast. Aoba saw extensive service during WW II, repeatedly being heavily damaged and repaired until she was finally crippled by bombings and settled on the bottom of shallow Kure harbor in April 1945. Finally, two raids in late July reduced her to unserviceable status.

Both the Furutaka (No. HSGS3165) and the Aoba (HSGS3166) feature full-hulls, display stand and photo-etched parts. Furutaka has decals for the Battle of Savo Island August, 1942 and Aoba for October 1944 and July 1945.

No information yet on price or exact release date but as Hasegawa is sending out newsletters to pre-order these by January 27th, we expect to get that information relatively soon.