1/700 Hasegawa Model Ships

Hasegawa Waterline Series Excellence

Hasegawa has established itself as the premier manufacturer of waterline ship models, pioneering the waterline modeling concept in Japan and setting the standard for 1/700 scale naval kits worldwide. This collection showcases the company's legendary commitment to accuracy, precision engineering, and buildability, featuring vessels from the Imperial Japanese Navy, United States Navy, and modern Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. Each kit incorporates Hasegawa's signature waterline construction that eliminates the need for display stands, finely engraved panel lines that capture authentic hull plating and deck details, comprehensive parts breakdown with logical assembly sequences, and meticulously researched configurations verified against original blueprints and photographic references. The Waterline Series represents decades of refinement in injection molding technology, delivering crisp detail, excellent part fit, and minimal flash that makes these kits accessible to intermediate modelers while providing the accuracy that advanced builders demand.

Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Carriers

The collection features an exceptional selection of IJN aircraft carriers that formed the backbone of Japan's carrier striking force during World War II. The Japanese Navy Aircraft Carrier Akagi Full Hull Version depicts this legendary carrier as she appeared during the Battle of Midway in June 1942, featuring the distinctive three-level flight deck configuration, accurately scaled island superstructure with characteristic funnel arrangement, comprehensive aircraft complement including A6M2 Zero fighters, D3A1 Val dive bombers, and B5N2 Kate torpedo bombers, and detailed anti-aircraft armament including 25mm Type 96 gun positions. This full-hull version allows for dramatic waterline or museum-style display with visible hull form and propeller details. Enhance this build with the dedicated Aircraft Carrier IJN Akagi Detail Set featuring photo-etched brass railings, aircraft elevator details, flight deck safety nets, and antenna arrays that elevate the model to museum quality. For the earlier configuration, the Water Line Series Aircraft Carrier Akagi Three Flight Deck represents the unique 1927-1935 configuration with three stacked flight decks before her major reconstruction. The Water Line Series Aircraft Carrier Kaga depicts Akagi's sister ship with her distinctive downward-curved funnel exhausts and massive island structure, complete with accurate 1942 configuration including extended flight deck and modernized anti-aircraft batteries.

Light Aircraft Carriers and Conversion Carriers

Hasegawa captures the versatility of Japan's light carrier force with meticulously detailed kits of converted and purpose-built vessels. The IJN Aircraft Carrier Zuiho represents the converted submarine tender in her 1944 configuration, featuring enlarged flight deck with sponsons, enhanced anti-aircraft armament including triple 25mm mounts, accurately scaled island superstructure, and comprehensive aircraft complement of A6M5 Zero fighters and D4Y Judy dive bombers. The IJN Aircraft Carrier Shoho depicts the converted submarine tender that participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea, featuring her distinctive small island, short flight deck configuration, and period-specific armament layout. Both kits include finely molded flight deck planking, accurately positioned aircraft elevators, and comprehensive decal sheets with flight deck markings, aircraft identification codes, and hull numbers representing specific operational periods.

Destroyers and Hyper Detail Series

The Hyper Detail series represents Hasegawa's premium destroyer kits with enhanced molding, photo-etched parts, and unprecedented detail levels. The Japanese Navy Destroyer Yugumo Hyper Detail showcases the Yugumo-class destroyer with finely molded hull featuring accurate sheer and flare, detailed bridge structure with separate windows and vision slits, comprehensive weapons fit including Type 3 127mm dual-purpose guns, Type 96 25mm anti-aircraft guns, and Type 93 Long Lance torpedo launchers, photo-etched brass railings, ladder rungs, and radar arrays, and separately molded depth charge racks and mine rails. The Japanese Navy Destroyer Momi and Wakatake Hyper Detail features two complete destroyer kits representing the Momi-class vessels that served throughout the Pacific War, with enhanced detail including separate bridge components, individual gun barrels, detailed torpedo tube mounts, and comprehensive rigging diagrams for authentic presentation. These Hyper Detail kits elevate the standard Waterline Series with premium components that deliver competition-level results straight from the box.

Battleships and Capital Ships

Hasegawa's battleship kits capture the power and majesty of capital ships with accurate hull forms and comprehensive detail. The Japanese Navy Battleship Mikasa represents Admiral Togo's flagship from the Battle of Tsushima in 1905, featuring pre-dreadnought configuration with mixed battery armament, ornate bridge structure with detailed navigation equipment, comprehensive secondary and tertiary gun positions, accurately scaled masts with fighting tops and signal yards, and period-specific boat complement including steam launches and cutters. This historic kit includes detailed painting guides for the distinctive peacetime and wartime color schemes. The Water Line Series Japanese Battleship Kongo depicts the fast battleship in her World War II configuration, featuring distinctive pagoda mast structure, eight 14-inch main guns in four twin turrets, comprehensive anti-aircraft battery with numerous 25mm positions, and accurately scaled catapults with reconnaissance floatplanes. For American battleships, the U.S. Battle Ship South Dakota and U.S. Battle Ship Alabama represent the powerful South Dakota-class with their distinctive compact superstructure, nine 16-inch guns, and massive anti-aircraft batteries that made them formidable opponents in the Pacific theater.

Submarines and Modern Vessels

The submarine selection showcases both World War II and modern underwater warfare capabilities. The I-370/I-68 Submarine represents Japanese submarine designs with accurately molded pressure hull, detailed conning tower with periscopes and direction finding equipment, deck gun and anti-aircraft positions, and comprehensive torpedo loading details. The Submarine U Boat 7C/9C depicts German Type VII and Type IX U-boats that influenced submarine warfare tactics worldwide, featuring characteristic conning tower configurations, deck gun positions, and period-specific equipment fits. For modern naval power, the JMSDF DDH Izumo Multipurpose Operation Carrier represents Japan's largest warship since World War II, featuring full-length flight deck capable of operating helicopters and F-35B fighters, island superstructure with phased array radar systems, comprehensive self-defense weapons including SeaRAM and Phalanx CIWS, and accurately scaled well deck for amphibious operations. This modern kit demonstrates Hasegawa's continued commitment to representing contemporary naval vessels with the same attention to detail as their historic subjects.

Waterline Modeling Advantages and Build Quality

Hasegawa's Waterline Series offers distinct advantages for ship modelers and diorama builders. The waterline construction eliminates the need for display stands, allowing models to sit naturally on flat surfaces or integrated into seascape dioramas with realistic water effects. Precision-molded waterline hulls feature accurate hull forms with proper sheer, tumblehome, and flare that match original vessel characteristics. The parts breakdown uses logical assembly sequences with minimal seams on visible surfaces, while slide-molded components eliminate unsightly parting lines on critical areas like gun turrets and bridge structures. Finely engraved panel lines capture authentic hull plating, deck planking, and structural details without overwhelming the scale, and comprehensive decal sheets provide authentic markings including hull numbers, aircraft identification codes, flight deck markings, and national insignia representing specific vessels and operational periods. Clear instruction manuals feature exploded-view assembly diagrams, detailed painting guides with color callouts for major paint manufacturers, and rigging diagrams for vessels requiring antenna and signal halyard installation. The engineering ensures excellent part fit with minimal flash, making these kits enjoyable to build while delivering professional results.

Expand Your Hasegawa Collection

Enhance your 1/700 Hasegawa builds with our comprehensive 1/700 Hasegawa Ship Accessories collection featuring photo-etched detail sets, wooden deck overlays, turned brass barrels, and aircraft sets that elevate your models to museum quality. For larger scale builds with even greater detail, explore our 1/350 Hasegawa Model Ships collection featuring many of these same vessels at nearly double the size. Hasegawa continues to expand their Waterline Series with new releases and re-tooled classics that maintain the same standards of accuracy and buildability that have made them the gold standard for ship modeling. For complete product specifications, build guides, painting references, historical documentation, and company history, visit the official Hasegawa website.