Tamiya 77525 - 1:700 King George V British Battleship

Plastic model kit of the British battleship HMS King George V in 1:700 scale

HMS King George V was the name ship of the last class of British battleships to enter service before the Second World War. Her unusual main armament — ten 356 mm guns in two quadruple turrets and one twin turret — was the result of a compromise imposed by the naval treaties of the interwar period. Tamiya 77525 reproduces the ship in 1:700 scale as a waterline model, without the lower hull.

The kit depicts King George V in her 1945 configuration, during operations against Japan: with extensive radar equipment and greatly reinforced anti-aircraft armament, added as the threat from enemy aircraft grew. The tooling dates from 1976 and was developed from the 1975 Prince of Wales mould. The kit belongs to the classic Tamiya 1/700 Water Line Series.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, superstructure, main turrets and deck fittings
• Waterline display base plate
• Metal ballast weight
• Marking sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:700
• Item number: 77525
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 322 mm
• Model type: waterline (no lower hull)
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (numerous small AA mounts and radar antennas)

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

Building the model:

The hull is joined to the base plate and the metal ballast weight fitted inside gives the finished model weight and stability. The numerous anti-aircraft mounts and the radar antennas typical of the 1945 configuration call for the most care — these are the finest parts in the kit, and precision tweezers and a thin cement are helpful here. They are easiest to paint while still attached to the sprue.

Royal Navy greys are recommended for the ship (for example Tamiya XF-53 Neutral Grey and XF-54 Dark Sea Grey), with a darker tone on the decks. A gently applied wash will bring out the plating lines and the rich detail of the superstructure. Modellers wishing to refine the masts, railings and radar antennas may consider photo-etched sets and turned metal barrels for 1:700 warships, 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)
• Wash to emphasise details

About the ship – HMS King George V:

HMS King George V entered service in 1940 as the name ship of a new class of British battleships. Her 356 mm main armament was smaller in calibre than that of many contemporary foreign ships, a consequence of the treaty limits in force when she was designed. This was offset by solid armour, good seakeeping and an advanced fire-control system.

In May 1941 King George V took part in the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck and in the decisive battle in which, together with the battleship Rodney, she brought about the destruction of the German ship. In the following years she escorted Arctic convoys and operated in the Mediterranean.

In the final period of the war King George V was sent to the Pacific, where she served with the British Pacific Fleet in operations against Japan — and it is this configuration, with extensive radar and reinforced anti-aircraft artillery, that the model reproduces. On 2 September 1945 the ship was present in Tokyo Bay for the signing of the Japanese surrender. After years in reserve she was scrapped after 1957.

Specifications of the original (HMS King George V):

• Standard displacement: approx. 36,700 t
• Full load displacement: approx. 42,200 t
• Length: 227.1 m
• Beam: 31.4 m
• Main armament: 10 × 356 mm guns (two quadruple turrets and one twin turret)
• Dual-purpose armament: 16 × 133 mm guns
• Anti-aircraft armament: numerous pom-pom mounts plus 40 mm and 20 mm guns
• Propulsion: Parsons steam turbines, approx. 110,000 hp
• Maximum speed: 28 knots
• Crew: approx. 1,500

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 King George V 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.