"Mutsuki" - the Japanese destroyer

"Mutsuki" (Jap. January) - Japanese destroyer, whose keel was laid in 1924, launched in 1925 July and in 1926 March entered the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The length of the ship is 100.2 m, the width is 9.2 m, the full water capacity is 1800 tons. The maximum speed of the destroyer was 37.3 knots. At the beginning the ship was armed with 4 x 120 mm guns in single turrets, additional armament - depth bombs and six 610 mm torpedo tubes. "Mutsuki" is the first destroyer of this type, after which the entire series of 12 ships is named. This type of ship was developed as a more advanced version of the "Kamikaze" type destroyer. The changes consisted mainly of a slight enlargement of the hull, increased speed and, most importantly, a new torpedo armament of two 610 mm three-barrel launchers. This destroyer class featured good torpedo armament, moderate artillery and good seaworthiness. The combat career of the destroyer "Mutsuki" began with participation in operations in Chinese waters in 1932, then in regular hostilities against China after 1937. The war in the Pacific (from December 1941) began with participation in support of the failed landings at Wake Island in 1942 at the beginning, she served as an escort ship at the Truk and Guam bases, later "Mutsuki" participated in the Japanese landings in the Solomon Islands. She also managed to participate very indirectly in the Battle of the Coral Sea in May 1942. In August of that year she was transferred to combat operations in the Guadalcanal area, during which it was sunk during an air attack on August 25, 1942.

The model is well designed and richly detailed, painted in the camouflage of the beginning of service in 1926. Although small and simple in appearance, the model is not so thanks to the many small details. Therefore, we recommend sticking it only to intermediate and experienced modelers. There are no frame parts in the publication, so it is simply necessary to buy a set off laser-cut parts.