It's the super-dreadnaught-type high-speed battleship Kongo! The last Japanese battleship to be built overseas, the British-built Kongo was also the first battleship to carry massive 14-inch guns. Later rebuilt in Japan, the Kongo saw plenty of action at Midway and the Battle of Leyte Gulf, and was eventually sunk by the US submarine Sea Lion in November 1944. This earned the Kongo the unfortunate distinction of being the only Japanese battleship sunk by a submarine, and the last battleship ever sunk by a submarine. (The last warship, not battleship, to be sunk by a submarine was the light cruiser ARA General Belgrano in 1982, during the Falklands conflict).

Aoshima's excellent kit represents the IJN battleship Kongo as the ship appeared in 1944. This is a full-hull model, including a nice stand with nameplate for regal display. Includes clear parts for the bridge. Fantastic detail abounds! Another great addition to the growing fleet of 1/350 ships!