¹⁄700

Pit-Road Models have now announced the release of their 1/700th JMSDF Hyuga DDH-181.

The current details are outlined below:

JMSDF Hyuga DDH-181
Manufacturer: Pit -Road
Scale: 1/700
Type: Plastic
Regular Price: ¥ 5,500
Item code : J37
Release date: To be advised
Additional information: Full hull & photetch included plus a number of helicopters and support vehicles.

JMSDF Hyuga DDH-181 Limited Edition
Manufacturer: Pit -Road
Scale: 1/700
Type: Plastic
Regular Price: ¥ 4,800
Item code: J37L
Release date: To be advised
Additional information: Waterline hull & no photoetch but still includes a number of helicopters and support vehicles.

At present very little detail is known about these releases but we will of course let you know more details as it becomes available.

Ships History

The Hyūga-class helicopter carriers are a type of helicopter carrier (formally called helicopter destroyers (DDH) to comply with constitutional limitations) being built for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). They are planned to replace the 7,000-ton Haruna-class destroyers currently in use. The new ships will be the largest combatant ship operated by Japan since the Imperial Japanese Navy was superseded by the JMSDF. The first ship in the class, the Hyūga, was commissioned Wednesday, March 18, 2009. It will be stationed in Yokosuka port, near Tokyo.

The Hyūga resembles a light aircraft carrier or amphibious assault ship such as the Italian Navy's 13,850-ton Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Spanish Navy's 17,000-ton Principe de Asturias or the Royal Navy's 21,000-ton Invincible-class carriers. According to a PBS documentary, JS Hyūga is the "first Japanese aircraft carrier built since WWII."

The Hyuga's code-name (16DDH) and Ise's code-name (18DDH) derive from the Japanese calendar, specifically the 16th year and 18th year of the Heisei reign (2004 and 2006), when the provisional title was given.

The Japanese Government's classification of the Hyūga class as destroyers has been met with some criticism. As the ships are larger than any previous destroyers and have a full-length flight deck and relatively large air wing, they have been compared to light aircraft carriers. Some media reports have labeled the ships aircraft carriers and it has been suggested that they represent an attempt by Japan to revive its naval aviation capabilities. The ships are limited in their capacity to carry helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft capable of vertical liftoff, including Harriers and F-35 Lightning IIs, and modification would be required to install a HMS Invincible-like 12° bow ski-jump ramp and other equipment needed to operate aircraft with even larger liftoff loads. Defense News in the US reported shortly after Hyūga was launched that a Japanese defense analyst with close ties to the Tokyo government suggested the new warship will engage in operations beyond those involving simple helicopters, and may be outfitted with more advanced fighters in the future. Jane's Fighting Ships has classified the Hyūga class as helicopter carriers and GlobalSecurity.org states that they are helicopter destroyers.

The ships' primary mission will be that of an anti-submarine warfare carrier, using the helicopters on board. They will also have enhanced command-and-control capabilities, allowing them to serve as flagships for the MSDF.

The ships will be able to carry up to eleven helicopters or Harriers, relying on a 16-cell VLS carrying the ESSM SAM, along with the Phalanx CIWS, for self-defense. They are also equipped with the ATECS command system and FCS-3 phased-array radar system.

Construction of the first ship (Hyūga) was started in 2006. She was launched on 23 August 2007. At least one more ship in the class is planned, which was launched and named Ise on 21 August 2009. The JMSDF plans to acquire a further two similar or slightly modified ships of this class, though this has not been approved by the Government. On 23 November 2009 it was reported that the JMSDF is planning to build an even larger helicopter destroyer than the Hyūga class vessels with a length of 248 metres (271 yd) and displacement of 19,500 tons. This ship will be capable of carrying 14 helicopters, 4,000 troops and 50 trucks.

The Hyuga was named after Hyūga Province present-day Miyazaki Prefecture, on the east coast of Kyūshū, inheriting the name of the Ise-class battleship Hyūga of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was commissioned in 1918, and subsequently served in World War II. The second ship of the class was named after Ise Province, present-day Mie Prefecture, inheriting the name of the Ise-class battleship Ise. Following the Battle of Midway, the Hyuga and Ise were converted into a hybrid battleship/aircraft carriers in 1943. The aft gun turrets and barbettes were replaced by a small flight deck and hangar deck that could launch a squadron of Yokosuka D4Y dive-bombers and Aichi E16A seaplanes.

Please note that these prices are approximate and indicative only as supplied by the Vendor.

The final precise retail price of any item to a purchaser can be uncertain at any time due to various variables.

Therefore we recommend that the final precise retail price should be verified with the Vendor.

Images courtesy of Pit-Road Models and Wikipedia.

Ships History courtesy of Wikipedia.