The 9,000-ton displacement Aoba-class Imperial Japanese Navy Heavy Cruiser Kinugasa was completed in September 1927, and was later modernized from 1937-40. She was the first Japanese ship fitted with pneumatic aircraft catapults. The Kinugasa took part in operations in the central Pacific during WWII as part 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, as well as participating in the Guadalcanal campaign. Later, as part of the Eighth Surface Fleet, the Kinugasa came under air attack and was sunk on November 14, 1942, during the Third Battle of the Solomons.

Hasegawa's Kinugasa features newly tooled parts and decals to build her as she was outfitted in November of 1942 during the Third Battle of the Solomons. This is a waterline model.