Tamiya 77510 - 1:700 U.S. Aircraft Carrier Hornet

Plastic model kit of the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) in 1:700 scale

USS Hornet went down in history as the ship from whose deck the B-25 Mitchell bombers of the Doolittle Raid took off — the first Allied air strike against Tokyo. Tamiya 77510 reproduces the carrier in exactly that configuration, as she appeared in April 1942, in 1:700 scale and in waterline form, without the lower hull.

The most distinctive feature of the kit is the set of 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers to be arranged on the flight deck — just as the ship looked before Doolittle's aircraft launched. The model comes from a 1974 mould and belongs to the classic Tamiya 1/700 Water Line Series, whose common scale allows collections of warships to be built up over time.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, flight deck, island and deck fittings
• 16 B-25 Mitchell bombers for the flight deck
• Waterline display base plate
• Metal ballast weight
• Waterslide decals and marking sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:700
• Item number: 77510
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 350 mm
• Model type: waterline (no lower hull)
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (small carrier aircraft parts)

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly of the hull and flight deck is straightforward and typical of the Water Line Series — the hull is joined to the base plate and the metal ballast weight fitted inside keeps the finished model stable. The miniature B-25 bombers call for the most care: it helps to paint them while still on the sprue and to use precision tweezers when positioning them on the deck.

Early Pacific War US Navy greys are recommended for the ship (for example Tamiya XF-53 Neutral Grey), with a darker flight deck; the Doolittle B-25s wore standard US Army Air Forces colours — olive drab upper surfaces over light grey undersides. Waterslide decals are best applied over a gloss coat to avoid silvering, with a matt varnish to finish. For a higher level of detail, photo-etched sets for 1:700 warships (railings, radar screens, antennas) are available separately.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers for small parts
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Gloss varnish for decals and matt varnish for the final finish
• Wash to emphasise details

About the ship – USS Hornet (CV-8):

USS Hornet was the third and last of the Yorktown-class carriers — the ships that formed the backbone of American naval aviation in the first period of the Pacific War. She was commissioned in the autumn of 1941, shortly before the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On 18 April 1942, sixteen B-25 Mitchell bombers led by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle took off from her flight deck. Their raid on Tokyo and other Japanese cities had limited military effect but enormous psychological impact — it showed that Japan was not untouchable and influenced Japanese strategic decisions that led directly to the Battle of Midway, in which Hornet also took part.

Her career ended at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. On 26 October 1942 Hornet was heavily damaged by Japanese aircraft and later finished off with torpedoes; she sank on 27 October 1942.

Specifications of the original (Yorktown-class carrier):

• Standard displacement: approx. 20,000 t
• Full load displacement: approx. 25,500 t
• Length: 251.4 m
• Armament: 8 × 127 mm guns, quadruple 28 mm mounts, 12.7 mm machine guns
• Propulsion: steam turbines, 4 shafts, approx. 120,000 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 32.5 knots
• Crew: approx. 2,200
• Air group: approx. 90 aircraft

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. It began as a timber business producing wooden models and released its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960. The brand built its reputation on precise tooling, excellent parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike. The 1/700 Water Line Series, to which the Hornet kit belongs, was launched in 1971 as a joint venture of several Japanese manufacturers and remains one of the most recognisable warship ranges in this scale. The common scale and waterline format allow models from the series to be displayed together in collections and sea scenes. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of paints, glues, tools and modelling accessories. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.