Description
This is an injection-plastic ship model kit.
Fine Molds has done it again: an excellent full injection-plastic kit of an incredibly minor piece of WWII hardware! This is the so-called "midget sub" that took part in the Japanese attack on Sydney Bay. Officially called the "Ko-Hyoteki Ko-gata," which translates into English as the "A-Target Type A," this two-man sub carried two torpedoes. They had the distinction of being the targets of the first shots fired between the U.S. and Japan in WWII, the first ships sunk, and the crew member of one became the first Japanese prisoner-of-war taken by the Americans. Two of these subs did manage to slip into Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, and they are known to have fired their torpedoes, but in the confusion that reigned that day it is unknown just how much damage they did.
The kit was designed after extensive research of the existing subs, and is very well done, including surface weld marks and other details. Special parts are included to model the Sydney Bay attack version. Measures just over 30cm long when completed. Includes a display stand and markings for three versions of the sub.
Details
Assembly Guide
Skill Level 3:
Basic Skills Required
Kits rated as skill level 3 are traditional model kits that require all basic modeling skills to complete. This includes cutting parts from runners and trimming or sanding them prior to use, assembling them with cement, and the use of paint to complete them.
To properly complete a level 3 kit, you should have at least a basic set of modeling supplies, including plastic nippers, a hobby knife, files and/or sandpaper, plastic cement, instant (cyanoacrylate) cement (for resin, soft-vinyl or metal parts), painting supplies including brushes, paint, thinner and masking tape, tweezers and possibly decal softener for applying decals to difficult areas.
Kits in this class are not suitable for small children unless there is complete parental supervision. Adults who have never before completed a plastic model kit may want to read one of the many excellent modeling guides available at most hobby shops before trying to build one of these kits.
Skill level 3 kits include a very large portion of our catalog. Most traditional plastic model kits fall into this category.
Cement Required

This item requries the use of cement (glue) to complete. For injection-plastic kits, use the weld-type clear cement specifically designed for use on styrene plastic. For some smaller parts, you may wish to use instant type (cyanoacrylate) glue. For resin, white metal, soft vinyl and photo-etched materials, the use of instant type cement is strongly recommended.
A SAFETY NOTE ABOUT INSTANT CEMENT
Parents and all modelers should note that instant cement (cyanoacrylate) bonds skin instantly. While this in itself is not harmful, forcibly attempting to pull the skin apart can tear the skin and cause injury. If you or your child happens to inadvertenly glue themselves with instant cement, don't pull, but use remover for instant cement, or nail polish remover to dissolve the bond instead.
Painting Required
This model kit or accessory must be painted in order to achieve a realistic appearance.

While there are slight differences depending on the country you live in, there are generally three types of paint available for modeling: Acrylic, Enamel and Lacquer. Their characteristics are described below.