1/700 Tamiya Model Ships

Building Detailed 1/700 Scale Naval Models

The 1/700 scale is the most popular choice for naval modelers worldwide, offering excellent detail in a compact size that allows impressive fleet displays. Tamiya's 1/700 warship kits are renowned for precision molding, accurate scale proportions, comprehensive detail, and superior fit that makes them ideal for both beginners and experienced modelers.

Japanese Super Battleships

The Japanese Battleship Yamato and Musashi were the largest and most powerful battleships ever constructed, displacing over 72,000 tons and mounting nine 18.1-inch guns. These impressive kits feature detailed main battery turrets with three 18.1-inch guns each, comprehensive superstructure with multiple deck levels, detailed secondary armament including 6.1-inch and 5-inch guns, extensive anti-aircraft battery with 25mm triple mounts, photo-etched railings and ladders, detailed bridge and fire control directors, aircraft catapults with floatplanes, and markings for various configurations throughout their service.

At 1/700 scale, these battleships measure approximately 14-15 inches in length, creating impressive centerpieces while remaining practical for display. The kits include detailed instructions with painting guides for the distinctive IJN grey schemes and camouflage patterns applied during their final operations.

Royal Navy Capital Ships

The British Battleship Prince of Wales represents the King George V-class with its unique armament of ten 14-inch guns in quadruple and twin turrets. The kit features detailed superstructure with British design characteristics, comprehensive secondary armament, extensive anti-aircraft battery, photo-etched details, and markings for the pursuit of Bismarck, Atlantic Charter meeting, and final configuration before being sunk off Malaya.

The Nelson and Rodney battleships featured a revolutionary all-forward main armament arrangement with nine 16-inch guns in three triple turrets ahead of the superstructure. These unique kits capture the distinctive profile with detailed turret arrangement, comprehensive superstructure, secondary armament, and markings for multiple Royal Navy configurations including Rodney's participation in sinking the Bismarck.

The Battle Cruiser Hood with E Class Destroyer set captures the largest warship in the Royal Navy, the "Mighty Hood" that was sunk by Bismarck in 1941. This combination set includes detailed Hood with her eight 15-inch guns and elegant lines, plus an E-class destroyer escort, allowing for impressive diorama possibilities. The Battle of Malaya Set recreates the historic engagement where Prince of Wales and Repulse were sunk by Japanese air attack.

German Kriegsmarine Warships

The German Gneisenau Battleship represents the Scharnhorst-class battle cruisers that combined high speed with powerful armament. The kit features nine 11-inch guns in three triple turrets, detailed superstructure with distinctive German design, comprehensive secondary and anti-aircraft armament, photo-etched details, and markings for Atlantic operations including the Channel Dash.

The German Destroyer Z Class showcases the large, powerful destroyers that served as the backbone of Kriegsmarine surface forces, featuring detailed main battery, torpedo tubes, depth charge racks, and comprehensive superstructure detail.

Japanese Aircraft Carriers

The Junyo Aircraft Carrier was converted from a luxury liner and served throughout the Pacific War. The kit features detailed flight deck with arresting wires, comprehensive island superstructure, aircraft elevators, anti-aircraft battery, photo-etched railings, aircraft complement including Zero fighters and Val dive bombers, and markings for multiple operations including the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

Japanese Light Cruisers

The Agano-class represented Japan's final light cruiser design. The Agano Light Cruiser features six 6-inch guns in three twin turrets, comprehensive torpedo armament with quadruple launchers, detailed superstructure, anti-aircraft battery, and markings for various operations. The Kiso Light Cruiser represents the Kuma-class with seven 5.5-inch guns.

The Light Cruiser Abukuma served as flagship for destroyer squadrons, while the Light Cruiser Mogami represents the unique cruiser that could be configured with either 6.1-inch or 8-inch guns, featuring detailed main battery, comprehensive torpedo armament, aircraft facilities, and markings for multiple configurations.

Destroyers and Escorts

The British E Class Destroyer represents the Royal Navy's emergency war program destroyers that served throughout WWII, featuring four 4.7-inch guns, quintuple torpedo tubes, depth charge racks, and comprehensive detail for convoy escort and fleet operations.

Submarine Warfare

The I-58 Japanese Submarine Late Version represents the submarine that sank USS Indianapolis in July 1945. The kit features detailed pressure hull, deck gun, conning tower with periscopes and antennas, and markings for this historic submarine. The Japanese Navy Submarine I-16 & I-58 set provides two submarines for fleet displays.

Auxiliary and Modern Vessels

The Japanese Navy Auxiliary Vessel represents the vital support ships that kept the fleet operational, featuring detailed cargo handling equipment, comprehensive deck detail, and authentic markings.

The modern JMSDF Defense Ship FFM-1 Mogami-class frigate represents Japan's latest naval technology, featuring stealth shaping, modern weapons systems including vertical launch cells, comprehensive sensor arrays, helicopter deck and hangar, and markings for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.

Tamiya 1/700 Scale Quality Standards

Since 1946, Tamiya has set the standard for naval modeling excellence. These 1/700 warship kits feature precision injection molding with fine detail, engineered fit with minimal gaps, comprehensive photo-etched parts for railings and details on select kits, detailed aircraft with optional position wings, waterline or full-hull options on many kits, comprehensive decal sheets for hull numbers and markings, detailed instructions with painting guides and historical notes, and display stands included with most kits.

The 1/700 scale allows modelers to build entire fleets or task forces in reasonable display space. A typical battleship measures 12-15 inches, cruisers 8-10 inches, and destroyers 6-8 inches, making impressive multi-ship dioramas practical. The smaller scale also makes certain weathering and painting techniques more forgiving while still capturing the essential character of each vessel.

Achieving Authentic Naval Finishes

Create accurate period paint schemes with Tamiya Paints, including pre-mixed colors for IJN Kure Arsenal Grey, Royal Navy Home Fleet and Mediterranean schemes, and Kriegsmarine Baltic and Atlantic colors. The extensive Tamiya naval color range includes deck colors, hull reds, and anti-fouling paints. Add realistic operational wear with Tamiya Weathering products to replicate rust streaks, salt spray staining, deck wear, and tropical weathering. Optimize your airbrushing with Tamiya thinners and cleaners for smooth, even coverage.

Expand your naval collection with additional kits from our Model Ships, Tamiya Ships, WWII Ships, and 1/350 Tamiya Model Ships collections for larger-scale versions with even more detail.