Zuikaku holds a unique place in Pacific War history — the last survivor of the six carriers that launched the Pearl Harbor strike, she fought through the Coral Sea, Santa Cruz and the Philippine Sea before meeting her end at Leyte Gulf in October 1944. Tamiya's 1/700 Waterline Series kit captures her exactly as she appeared in that final battle, bristling with the additional anti-aircraft mounts fitted in her last refit and carrying the late-war air group of A6M5 Zero fighters and D4Y Suisei dive bombers. Completed, she stretches an impressive 367mm — a commanding centrepiece for any IJN fleet display.

Second Ship of the Shokaku Class

Commissioned in September 1941, Zuikaku combined high speed, heavy anti-aircraft armament and a large air complement, making the Shokaku-class arguably the finest carrier design of the early Pacific War. Tamiya's tooling recreates her distinctive long flight deck, island superstructure and downturned funnel in crisp 1/700 detail. Because the companion Shokaku kit depicts the class in early-war form, the pair together let you model the sisters at opposite ends of their careers.

Late-War Leyte Gulf Configuration

The kit reproduces Zuikaku's 1944 fit, including the augmented 25mm anti-aircraft batteries added as the air threat intensified. Deck aircraft are included, along with ship's boats and armament options, so the flight deck can be dressed as a working carrier rather than left bare.

Waterline Series Construction

Moulded in grey, black and red plastic, the hull builds to the waterline for seascape display alongside the rest of the 1/700 Waterline Series range. A metal ballast piece is included to give the completed hull reassuring weight and stability, and waterslide decals with clear pictorial instructions round out the box.

What's in the Box

• Moulded plastic sprues in grey, black and red
• Aircraft, ship's boats and armament parts
• Metal ballast piece
• Waterslide decal sheet
• Pictorial assembly instructions

Needed to Complete

• Plastic model cement
• Paints (Tamiya colour callouts included in the instructions)
• Basic modelling tools (side cutters, file, tweezers)

Specifications

Brand: Tamiya
Part Number: 31214
Scale: 1/700
Series: Waterline Series
Subject: IJN Aircraft Carrier Zuikaku, Shokaku-class
Configuration Depicted: Battle of Leyte Gulf, 1944
Completed Length: 367mm
Kit Type: Plastic assembly kit, waterline hull
Skill Level: Intermediate — paint and cement required