¹⁄350

Aoshima is releasing an updated version of their kit of the IJN battleship Kirishima. A Kongo class battleship, Kirishima began life classified as a battlecruiser and became a 'fast battleship' after several refits in her 37 year service life.

On the night of November 13th, 1942 off Guadalcanal, in what was the only battleship to battleship encounter in the Pacific theater of the Second World War, Kirishima and other IJN warships were pounding the US battleship USS South Dakota (BB-37) after she suffered and electrical system failure and could not fully defend herself. Only the intervention of the USS Washington (BB-36) several minutes later, arriving undetected and inflicting mortal blows to the Kirishima, saved the South Dakota.

I haven't been able to get specifics on what the enhancements are on this release (No. AOS01103 under the Iron Clad series) beyond refinements to the linoleum decking and bridge parts but I'm glad to see this significant vessel of the Imperial Japanese Navy back again in this scale.

Hobby Link Japan has this kit availabe for pre-order for ¥11,600 ($95.77 USD, €86.14) plus shipping.