1/700 scale IJN Destroyer Umikaze ship kit - Pit Road model. TheIJN Umikaze ("Sea Wind") was a destroyer of the Japanese Imperial Navy, belonging to the Umikaze class, built in the early 20th century. Main features Type: Destroyer Class: Umikaze Entry into service: 1911 Displacement: About 1,150 tons Length: 98 meters Propulsion: Steam turbines with coal-fired boilers Maximum speed: 33 knots (about 61 km/h) Armament: 120 mm cannons Torpedoes Crew: About 110 men Operational history TheIJN Umikaze was one of the first Japanese destroyers designed for high-speed operations and with advanced armaments for the time. It served mainly during World War I, carrying out patrol and escort missions. In later years, as naval technologies evolved, the Umikaze became obsolete and was gradually withdrawn from active service. TheIJN Umikaze represents one of the Imperial Japanese Navy's first steps toward developing a modern fleet of destroyers, anticipating the more advanced classes that would operate during World War II.
1/700 scale IJN Destroyer Shikinami 1944 ship kit - Pit Road model. TheIJN Shikinami (??, "Stretched Wave") was a destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy, belonging to the Fubuki class, one of the first classes of modern destroyers with heavy armament and excellent performance. Key features Type: Destroyer Class: Fubuki (Type I) Displacement: 2,090 tons (fully loaded) Length: 118.5 meters Propulsion: Steam turbines powered by oil-fired boilers, output of 50,000 hp Maximum speed: 38 knots (about 70 km/h) Range: 8,300 km at 14 knots Crew: 219 men Armament (1944) 6 127 mm Type 3 guns (in 3 twin turrets) 4 Type 96 25-mm machine guns (increased during the course of the war to improve anti-aircraft defense) 9 610 mm torpedo tubes (Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedoes) Depth charges for anti-submarine warfare Operational and Sinking Service (1944) TheIJN Shikinami entered service in 1929 and participated in numerous campaigns in the Pacific during World War II. It was employed in escort missions to convoys and major ships, as well as in attack operations against Allied forces. Battle and Sinking (September 12, 1944) On September 12, 1944, while escorting a convoy off Mindanao, Philippines, she was attacked by the U.S. submarine USS Growler (SS-215). The Shikinami was hit by torpedoes, sustaining catastrophic damage. She sank rapidly, with the loss of most of her crew. TheIJN Shikinami was a well-armed and fast destroyer that served actively in the Pacific until her loss in 1944, caused by growing U.S. naval superiority.
IJN Destroyer Ayanami 1942 ship kit in 1/700 scale - Pit Road model. TheIJN Ayanami ("Braided Wave") was a destroyer of the Japanese Imperial Navy, belonging to the Fubuki (Type II) class. This class represented one of the most advanced of its era, thanks to powerful armament and high speed. Key features Type: Destroyer Class: Fubuki (Type II - Special Series) Displacement: 2,090 tons (fully loaded) Length: 118.5 meters Propulsion: Steam turbines powered by oil-fired boilers, power of 50,000 hp Maximum speed: 38 knots (about 70 km/h) Range: 8,300 km at 14 knots Crew: 219 men Armament (1942) 6 127 mm Type 3 guns (in 3 twin turrets, with limited lift for antiaircraft fire) 4 Type 96 25-mm machine guns (increased over time to improve anti-aircraft defense) 9 610 mm torpedo tubes (Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedoes) Depth charges for anti-submarine warfare Operational and Sinking Service (1942) TheAyanami took part in several naval operations during World War II, mainly in the Pacific campaigns. Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (November 14-15, 1942) During the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, theAyanami was tasked with escorting a Japanese force attempting to bombard the American beachhead on the island. On November 14, 1942, it clashed with a U.S. squadron of cruisers and destroyers. TheAyanami was severely hit by concentrated fire from the cruisers USS Washington (BB-56) and USS South Dakota (BB-57). The destroyer IJN Uranami managed to recover part of the crew before theAyanami sank on the night of November 14-15, 1942. TheIJN Ayanami was a modern and deadly destroyer for its time, but, like many Japanese units, it suffered from the Allies' numerical and technological superiority in the Pacific. Her demise came in one of the fiercest engagements of the Guadalcanal campaign.
IJN Destroyer Akizuki 1944 ship kit with photoetched parts in 1/700 scale - Pit Road model. TheIJN Akizuki ("Autumn Moon") was a destroyer of the Japanese Imperial Navy, belonging to the Akizuki class, designed for carrier defense and anti-aircraft escort and combat missions during World War II. Key features Type: Destroyer Class: Akizuki Displacement: 3,700 tons (fully loaded) Length: 134 meters Propulsion: Steam turbines with oil-fired boilers, power output of 52,000 hp Maximum speed: 33 knots (about 61 km/h) Autonomy: Approximately 8,000 km at 18 knots Crew: 263 men Armament 8 Type 98 100-mm guns (in 4 twin turrets, highly effective against air and naval targets) 4 Type 96 25-mm machine guns (increased during the course of the conflict) 8 610 mm tor pedotubes (Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedoes) Depth charges for anti-submarine warfare Role and operational use TheIJN Akizuki entered service in 1942 and was considered one of the best Japanese destroyers of World War II. It was designed as an anti-aircraft destroyer because of its modern 100 mm guns, which were particularly effective against enemy aircraft. Major battles (1944) Battle of the Philippine Sea (June 1944) Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944) TheAkizuki participated in the Battle of Cape Engaño, protecting the Japanese fleet from U.S. air attacks. On October 25, 1944, during the battle, the Akizuki was sunk off Samar, probably due to a torpedo fired from a submarine or an internal explosion. TheIJN Akizuki was one of the most advanced destroyers of its era, with excellent anti-aircraft armament and modern design. However, the numerical and technological superiority of the Allied forces led to its loss in 1944.
USN LCC-19 Blue Ridge 2004 amphibious command ship kit 1/700 scale - Pit-Road model. Amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) - 2004 USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is an amphibious command ship of the United States Navy (USN), belonging to the Blue Ridge class. She entered service in 1970 and is the flagship of the U.S. Seventh Fleet, operating mainly in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean area. Key features Type: amphibious command ship (LCC - Landing Command Control) Class: Blue Ridge Shipyard of construction: Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Entry into service: november 14, 1970 Displacement: About 19,200 tons fully loaded Length: 194 meters Width: 33 meters Draught: 8.5 meters Propulsion: 2 Babcock & Wilcox boilers 1 Westinghouse steam turbine 1 propeller (33,000 hp) Maximum speed: 23 knots (about 43 km/h) Range: Over 12,000 nautical miles Crew: About 1,400 people (including fleet command staff) Operational role USS Blue Ridge is a command and control ship designed to manage amphibious operations and coordinate the activities of a naval fleet. In 2004, its main role was to provide strategic support to the Seventh Fleet with advanced communication and command systems. Main functions Mobile command post for the Seventh Fleet Coordination of amphibious and naval operations Advanced communications center with encrypted systems Management of joint operations between naval, land and air forces Systems and Armament Electronic and communication systems C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) command systems. Advanced satellite systems for coordination with allied forces Updated instrumentation for electronic warfare and cyber defense Defensive armament 2 20 mm Phalanx CIWS (for close defense from missiles and drones) Mitraillette and light machine gun emplacements Electronic countermeasures for protection against missile threats Operational activity in 2004 In 2004, USS Blue Ridge continued to serve as the flagship of the Seventh Fleet based in Yokosuka, Japan. It participated in: Joint exercises with the Japanese Navy and allies Surveillance and patrol operations in the western Pacific Coordination of crisis and disaster response missions Conclusion USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is one of the U.S. Navy's longest-running command ships, still operational today. In 2004, her role was crucial to the strategic management of Seventh Fleet operations in the Pacific, ensuring coordination among naval, land, and air units in crisis scenarios and military missions.