The aircraft carrier Akagi was completed in 1927 at the Kure Naval Arsenal. Along with Kaga, it was one of the first large aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, built under the terms of the Washington Naval Treaty.
The flight deck adopted a unique three-tiered structure characteristic of the Japanese Navy.
- The lower deck was used for takeoff.
- The upper deck was used for both takeoff and landing.
- The middle deck was not used as a flight deck due to the expansion of the bridge and the installation of two twin 20 cm gun turrets.
A distinctive feature was the placement of a large slanted funnel and a small upright funnel on the starboard side, which caused the topmost flight deck to be offset toward the port side.
In 1935, a major modernization refit was carried out at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal, transforming the ship into a full-length flight deck carrier and significantly altering its appearance.
This model kit recreates the pre-modernization version of Akagi with the three-tiered flight deck. Parts allow for selection between:
- The early version (Note: the state immediately after completion, before the installation of the twin 20 cm gun turrets, cannot be reproduced), and
- The mid-period version (1934–1935), which features a small temporary bridge installed on the starboard side of the upper flight deck.
Included aircraft:
- Six Type 90 carrier-based fighters
- Six Type 13 No.2 carrier-based attack aircraft
Product Specifications
- Early Type (1927–1934)
- Mid Type (1934–1935)