The 9,000-ton displacement Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Aoba was completed in September 1927, and later modernized over a two-year period from 1938-40. The Aoba took part in operations in the central Pacific during WWII as the flagship of the First Surface Fleet's Sixth Squadron, seeing action in the taking of Guam and Wake Island and in the Battle of the Coral Sea. The Aoba later sustained extensive damage, making it back to port in Kure, where she remained for the rest of the war, acting as a floating anti-aircraft emplacement until being sunk by US aircraft in July 1945. She was broken up and sold for scrap after the war.

Hasegawa's Aoba features newly tooled parts and decals to build her as she was outfitted in October 1944 and at the time of her demise in July 1945. This is a waterline model.