1/700 R03 Kobo-Hiryu IJN Survey Ship Katsuriki 1942
Resin Model Kit, Box Condition: Exc+
Very rare limited production model of this active IJN Auxiliary. Very well detailed resin waterline model that includes full illustrated instructions and even a painting guide. Never started. The parts are still in the internal factory sealed bags. The Katsuriki had a very interesting and long career. She was originally completed in 1917 as minelayer, and the first ocean going ship of this type in the Japanese Navy. In WWI she served around the Japanese home islands. In the 1920s she was guardship off many of the South Pacific Mandate Islands and began doing survey work of these new Japanese territories. With expansionist policies already in place, the need for a specialized survey ship was obvious and in 1935 she was converted to that role. The minelaying equipment was removed and surveying devices from the retired survey ship Manshu were installed. She took part in much intelligence gathering off the coast of China, then examined future targets for the Imperial Navy before WWII. Some areas she visited included the Spratly Islands, Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and also Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. When World War II started, Katsuriki was re-designated a 'secret military vessel' on 20 July 1942, although her mission was still maritime surveying. She mapped the coasts of the Strait of Malacca, Burma, Singapore, the Dutch East Indies and north coast of New Guinea in support of Japanese troop landings and combat operations. On 21 September 1944 Katsukiki was torpedoed by USS Haddo southwest of Manila and sank. The Haddo spotted about 40 survivors and attempted to rescue, but the Japanese chose to drown themselves.
This item has been sold.
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