IJN „Takao“ – the Japanese heavy cruiser

The "Takao"-class heavy cruisers are a series of four Japanese cruisers, built in the 1930s. The main difference from the previous "Mioko"-type cruisers was a huge forward superstructure, significantly strengthened armor, new (in practice proved ineffective) main caliber guns, rotating torpedo tubes on the main deck, improved living conditions for the crew. In 1927-28 four ships were ordered, which were built in 1927-32 in two state ("Takao" and "Atago") and two private ("Maja" and "Tiokai") shipyards. Four more ships were planned to be built according to the improved design, but they did not start construction due to the First London Treaty, signed in 1930. Cruisers served throughout the pre-war period, "Takao" and "Atago" were heavily modernized in 1939-1941. All of them took an active part in World War II combat operations in the Pacific theater of operations. In 1944, "Maja" was rebuilt into an anti-aircraft defense cruiser. Three "Takao"-class cruisers were sunk in 1944 in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the heavily damaged flagship of the series, "Takao", was captured by the British in Singapore in September 1945 and sunk a year later as a naval target.

A complex, large, well-designed and richly detailed, but rather dingy (as, by the way, almost all WWII Japanese naval ships) model. Double-sided printing is used, where necessary. Model for intermediate and advanced modelers only.