NEWS in from Hasegawa Models. . .
In a previous MSW News story, we reported news of this interesting new limited edition kit, in a brief announcement seen Here!

Now, we will take a closer look at this upcoming release, scheduled for the end of December this year!

Kit Details

Antarctica Observation Ship SOYA "Antarctica Observation 1st Corps"

(Bonus Special Guide Book "SOYA" and 1/350 Soft Metal Snow Car) ~ Limited Edition

ITEM NO: HAS 40064
SCALE: 1:350
ARRIVAL: December 2006
# of Parts: 294

Brand new limited edition 1/350 ship with additional bonus items: Special guide book "SOYA" and a 1/350 scale soft metal snow car.

Kit Features

- 1/350 seaplane Cessna Type 180 [ 1 set ]
- 1/350 helicopter Bell 47G [ 2 sets ]
- Markings: Japan Coast Guard Antarctica Observation 1st Corps Departured November 8th, 1956
- Bonus guide book
- Bonus 1/350 soft metal snow car



Vessel History

The vessel that eventually became the Japanese icebreaker ‘Soya’ was originally given the Russian name ‘Borochavets’, and it began its life built as part of an order for three such ships from the Soviet government to a Japanese shipyard in 1936.

Launched in February 1938, the ‘Borochavets’ was never delivered to her Soviet owners -- growing enmity between the Soviet Union and Japan prevented her from being handed over, and she was instead christened the ‘Chiryomaru’ in June 1938 and put into Japanese service. In 1940, the ship was rechristened ‘Soya’ when it was commissioned for special service by the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Miraculously surviving the World War II, the ship underwent substantial overhaul in 1956 to ready it for duties as a South Pole research vessel. It made six roundtrip voyages to the South Pole between 1956 and 1962. From 1962 until her decommissioning in 1978, the Soya saw service in Hokkaido as an icebreaker rescue ship.

Since May of 1979, it has been moored at the Museum of Maritime Science as part of its permanent exhibit.


There is also a special photo-etch set to be offered at the same time as this release,

"SOYA ANTARCTICA OBSERVATION 1st CORPS ETCHING PART"

HASEGAWA No.72111
Size:1/350


Take a look at many other fine products at the official company website, and remember, When contacting vendors, be sure to mention that you saw it on the pages of Model Shipwrights!