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Masterpiece Models has released a Japanese Shinyo suicide boat in 1/35 scale.

According to Masterpiece Models:

“WWII Japanese Shinyo Boat Model Kit – (“Sea Quake”) Resin assembly kit. Each kit is cast to order please allow 2 weeks for delivery.

These fast motorboats were driven by one man to speeds of around 30 knots. They were typically equipped with two depth charges as explosives or a bow-mounted explosive charge. Those equipped with depth charges were not actually suicide boats as the idea was to drop the depth charges and then turn around before the explosion took place. However, the wave from the explosion would probably have killed the crew, or at least swamped the boat.

Approximately 6,200 Shinyo were produced for the Imperial Japanese Navy and 3,000 for the Imperial Japanese Army. Around 400 boats were transported to Okinawa and Formosa, and the rest were stored on the coast of Japan for the ultimate defense against the expected invasion of the Home islands.

Masterpiece Models manufactures and sells the highest quality resin assembly kits on the market today. Featuring kits for a variety of interests including Dinosaurs, WWII, Vietnam, Scifi, and aircraft bases. Masterpiece Models is a trademark of J&S Hobbies”.

The 1/35th scale WWII Japanese Shinyo Boat Model is listed by Masterpiece Models at https://masterpiecemodels.com/product/35th-wwii-japanese-shinyo-boat-sea-quake/ and can be ordered now for about US$60.00.