Hasegawa  1/700 Heavy Cruiser Furutaka

Reviewed May 2015
by Timothy Dike

In the chaotically confused battle of Cape Esperance, a group of Japanese warships, including the Furutaka, ran into American warships in the darkness. In the ensuing combat, both commanders thought their ships were firing on friendlies and both were, in part, correct. Furutaka sustained over ninety direct gunnery hits and one torpedo hit. Despite horrific damage, Furutaka was able to limp out of the melee under its own power, saving most of the crew.

This new limited edition kit from Hasegawa adds a lower hull, PE, CNC brass barrels and special base. Let's see what's in the box. 

SPRUE A
The first sprue contains the deck and several levels.  The deck features linoleum lines and nice detailing for the anchorways.  Funnel caps and mast parts are also included. Click to
enlarge image
SPRUE B
Sprue B contains the hull halves, and main gun turrets.  Hull sides have portholes and panel line detailing.
SPRUE C
Funnel halves are on this sprue featuring nice plumbing detail.
SPRUE K
A flat water line base is included.  Funnel grills are acceptable for plastic.  The main again director is also on this sprue.
SPRUE L
This sprue features ships boats, and davits.
SPRUE K
More ships boats, float planes, and antiaircraft guns are on this sprue.
SPRUE K
Main gun barrels, torpedo tubes and gun directors are on the sprue. Separate decals are included for the float planes, along with its own instructions sheet.
SPRUE S
A complete lower hull is molded in red plastic with separate bilge keels and rudders.
PHOTO ETCH
A brass photo etch fret includes handrails, mast parts, cranes and catapults.
METAL PARTS
New propellers are cast in white metal.  These are a little rough and will need some cleanup.
New main gun barrels are CNC machined in brass with center drilled ends and mounting pins.
DISPLAY BASE & NAMEPLATE
A wooden mounting base with commemorative nameplate is included.
DECALS
A new improved decal sheet includes aircraft markings flags and ship names.
INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are two sheets, extra long with painting and marking guides and several well illustrated subassembly drawings showing where all the parts go
CONCLUSION
Hasegawa has taken one of their better kits and improved it with a lower hole new propellers and a new base to show off the lower hull.  IJN fans can now show off their lower hulls. This is kit #HSGS3165 1/700 IJN Heavy Cruiser Furutaka Full Hull with a list price of $69.99 US.

Thanks to Hobbico (Great Planes) Model Distributors for the review sample. They are your US distributors for Hasegawa.



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