1/700 IJN Katsuragi (Skywave)
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by Mike Komo |
1/700 IJN Katsuragi (Skywave)
Being a fan of “Alternate History”…..Its spring of 1946 and war is still waging. Unbeknownst to the Japanese, American scientists are having delays in the completion of the atomic bomb. The invasion of Okinawa proved to be difficult for the US Navy, as Japanese kamikaze attacks have been devastating to the fleet. While the navy regroups, the Japanese are reinforcing their defensive positions.
Pictured here is the IJN Katsuragi loaded with supplies for island defense. In addition to tanks and trucks and heavy equipment, we see the new Mitsubishi A7M (Reppu) built to replace the outdated A6M (Zero). While the IJN and the Army seldom cooperate, the Army wants this plane badly. Also on deck are 15 Yokosuka MYX7 Ohka, the manned rocket powered flying bomb, as well as 15 IJN Kaiten Type 1 suicide submarines. While the effectiveness of the Ohka and Kaiten was questionable, Japan was using all available options.
The later photos depict the Katsuragi on the voyage home, hopefully to pick up new A7M’s and flight crews.
I used the following in constructing this model:
- Lion Roar WWII IJN Aircraft Carrier Unryu
- Pit Road IJN Aircraft Carrier Unryu Class
- Fujimi Aircraft IJN #2
- FStar WWII IIJN Planes Upgrade
- FStar IJN Kaiten Torpedo Type 1
- Niko Models Excavator, various trucks, tanks, tractors
