Hasegawa 1/700 Aircraft Carrier Shoho Model Kit

The IJN Shoho was a light aircraft carrier that holds the distinction of being the first Japanese carrier sunk in WWII, going down during the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942. Converted from the submarine tender Tsurugizaki, the Shoho carried approximately 30 aircraft. Her sinking prompted the famous radio message "Scratch one flattop!" from US pilot Lieutenant Commander Robert Dixon. The Coral Sea battle was significant as the first naval engagement where opposing ships never sighted each other, fought entirely by aircraft. Hasegawa captures this historically significant light carrier at 1/700 waterline scale.