Pit-Road (SkyWave) of Japan has has announced the July 2015 release of kit PITSPW-37, the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer IJN Takanami w/New Equipment Parts in 1/700 scale.

It appears that the new Takanami (“Tall Wave”) destroyer will be an upgraded re-release of Pit-Road’s IJN Yugumo model, which originally appeared in the 1990s in waterline form as kit W-26, and later again as SW-2000 with an added full-hull option. Those kits could be built as the Yugumo, Makigumo, Kazagumo, Naganami, Makinami, Takanami, Onami, Kiyonami, Tamanami, Suzunami, or Fujinami out of the box, or as an any of the other eight Yugumo or nineteen similar Kagero class DDs with a little customization. It is not clear what the “New Equipment Parts” will be in this new release, unless this refers to the added lower hull, screws, rudder, and a display stand not present in the first issue.

I have built several of Pit Road’s 1/700 destroyers in the past and can attest to the high quality of the moldings.

The ship can be had for ¥2,400 (approximately US$19.32) from Hobbylink Japan.

http://www.hlj.com/product/PITSPW-37/Nav