¹⁄350

Tamiya have announced the release of their 1/350 IJN Yukikaze . As with most of the more recent kitset releases this kit will incorporate many features including photoetch and metal chains. The release date has yet to be advised however the retail price has - US$91.00.

The name Yukikaze means “Snow Wind” and by the end of WW2 she gained the informal nickname of “lucky destroyer”. This model has been designed to depict the IJN Yukikaze as she appeared during the 1945 Ten Ichi Go operation (Battle for Okinawa). Both a full waterline display or a waterline version can be constructed. Several features of the kit include guns and torpedoes that can be rotated after assembly thanks to polycaps and various photoetch parts.

Kit features:

• Parts included to build a waterline model or a display model with full hull;
  
• ABS has been used for the masts to ensure strength;
  
• Photo-etched parts are prepared for the ladders, radio antennas etc;
  
• Metal chains;
  
• Display stand included.
  

Ship History
The IJN Yukikaze was a 2033-ton type Koh destroyer (later known as the Kagero-class) launched at Sasebo ship yard on 23 Feb 1939. Yukikaze (“Snow Wind”) is very popular in Japan, many referring to her as the unsinkable ship.

IJN Yukikaze became part of the 16th destroyer division under the command of the light cruiser Jintsu. At the beginning of WWII, the 16th destroyer division was part of the force which captured the Philippines, and on December 5 1941, she took part in the fierce fighting with American forces near Palau and supported the invading forces at Legazpi.

Afterwards, she saw action throughout the Pacific Ocean at the Dutch East Indies, Midway, Guadalcanal, and the Solomon Islands. The Yukikaze also participated in the withdrawal of Guadalcanal, and participated in sea battles at the Marianas and the Leyte Gulf. With the exception of hitting a mine she was never hit in all these naval battles.

Throughout WWII, the Yukikaze took part in numerous naval battles, escort duties, and supply runs, and always returned safely from each sortie. Many consider her operational history is like an encyclopaedia of the Pacific Navy History.

She was among the few Japanese warships and the only one of her class still operational at the end of the war, and became nicknamed the "lucky destroyer."

As part of the post-war reparation agreement, the Yukikaze was transferred to the Republic of China (ROC DD12 Dang Yung), and in 1966 she became a reserve training ship. Her fine career ended when she was damaged by hitting a reef and scrapped in 1970.