Tamiya 78022 - 1:350 Mikuma Japanese Light Cruiser

Plastic model kit of the Japanese light cruiser Mikuma in 1/350 scale

Mikuma entered service in August 1935 as a light cruiser armed with fifteen 15.5 cm guns in five triple turrets — an armament dictated by the London Naval Treaty rather than by the true potential of her hull. It is precisely this original, rarely modelled configuration, before the ship was rearmed with 20.3 cm guns, that Tamiya 78022 recreates in 1/350 scale. The finished model is approximately 573 mm long.

The kit is based on 2009 tooling developed from the 78021 moulds. It can be built as a waterline or a full hull model — reinforcing bulkheads and screws for both versions are included, along with a display stand. The gun turrets remain movable once assembled and the barrels can be set at two elevation positions. The contents are rounded out by photo-etched parts, a metal anchor with chain, metallised propeller shafts and a metal nameplate.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, superstructure and armament parts
• Clear parts
• Photo-etched parts (floatplane propellers, crane and more)
• Metal anchor with a metal chain
• Metallised propeller shafts
• Metal nameplate
• ABS masts and aerials
• Gun turrets that remain movable once assembled, with two barrel elevation positions
• Reinforcing bulkheads and screws allowing a waterline or full hull build
• 2 Nakajima E8N1 and 2 Kawanishi E7K1 floatplanes
• Stands for displaying the aircraft in flight
• Waterslide decal sheet for the markings
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1/350
• Product number: 78022
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Model length: approx. 573 mm
• Version: waterline or full hull
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (large, elaborate kit with photo-etched parts)

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

The reinforcing bulkheads and screw-joined sections keep the large hull rigid from the very start, which is a considerable help on a model of this length. It is best to decide between the waterline and the full hull version before beginning hull assembly. The photo-etched parts, including the floatplane propellers and the crane, are small and are most comfortably handled with precision tweezers and cyanoacrylate glue, while the ABS masts and aerials need an adhesive intended for that material. Fitting the metal anchor chain at a late stage, once the forecastle has been painted, tends to work best.

For the paintwork, the greys used on Japanese warships are recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-75 IJN Grey (Kure Arsenal)), a light brown for the wooden deck areas (e.g. XF-78 Wooden Deck Tan) and red for the underwater hull (e.g. XF-9 Hull Red) on the full hull version. The E8N1 and E7K1 floatplanes are finished in Imperial Japanese naval aviation colours. Paint codes are given in the instructions. Applying the decals over a gloss coat helps to avoid decal silvering, and a matt varnish makes a suitable final finish.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• ABS adhesive and cyanoacrylate glue for the photo-etched and metal parts
• A screwdriver for the hull screws
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to emphasise detail

About the ship – Mikuma:

Mikuma belonged to the Mogami class, a series of cruisers designed to work around the restrictions of the London Naval Treaty. The treaty limited the number of ships armed with 20.3 cm guns, so these vessels were completed as light cruisers with fifteen 15.5 cm guns in five triple turrets. The hull, however, was designed from the outset with a margin that allowed for later rearmament.

Mikuma entered service in August 1935 and between 1936 and 1939 was rebuilt, her triple turrets giving way to twin 20.3 cm turrets — formally making her a heavy cruiser. Tamiya 78022, however, shows her in the original configuration, with the full set of 15.5 cm turrets.

Mikuma's career ended at the Battle of Midway. Following a night-time collision with her sister ship Mogami, she was attacked by American aircraft and sank on 6 June 1942 — the first Japanese heavy cruiser lost in the war.

Original specifications (Mikuma):

• Standard displacement: approx. 12,400 t
• Length: 200.6 m
• Power: 152,000 hp
• Maximum speed: approx. 35 knots
• Armament as completed: 15 x 15.5 cm guns in five triple turrets
• Rearmament: 20.3 cm guns fitted between 1936 and 1939
• Aircraft: reconnaissance floatplanes
• Crew: approx. 850
• Completed: August 1935
• Sunk: 6 June 1942 at Midway

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company began in the timber trade and wooden model production, and released its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand is known for extremely precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. In its 1/350 warship kits Tamiya combines plastic sprues with photo-etched parts, ABS components and metal details, reinforcing the large hull sections with bulkheads and joining them with screws. The instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the manufacturer's own range. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the best-known brands in the hobby.