Tamiya Plastic Model Kit
Japanese Navy Destroyer Yukikaze (1/350)
This kit brings the Yukikaze to the bench with a level of clarity and presence that suits her reputation. In 1/350 scale the lines of the hull, the compact superstructure and the late-war AA fit all come through sharply, giving the ship that purposeful look she carried during the Ten-Ichi-Go operation in 1945. The special edition packaging ties into the YUKIKAZE film, which gives the whole release a bit of extra weight and context.
The hull comes in left and right halves with the riveted plates and degaussing cables moulded cleanly along the sides. Metal anchor chain and metal propellers add a nice bit of visual depth once installed. The AA guns benefit from laser-processed parts that feel noticeably sharper than standard moulding, and the rotating turrets and torpedo tubes sit on polycaps, so you can adjust their positions without strain. A full hull display stand is included, and once the build is complete the model can be stored neatly in the commemorative box.
- 1/350 scale plastic model kit
- Depicts Yukikaze as she served in April 1945
- Length 338mm, width 31mm
- Hull split into left and right halves with detailed surface features
- Metal anchor chain and metal propellers included
- Laser-processed machine gun parts for crisp detail
- Polycaps allow rotation of turrets and torpedo tubes
- Full hull display stand included
- Special packaging celebrating the YUKIKAZE movie
- SKU: 25218
History
Yukikaze was one of the Kagero-class destroyers, but she earned a reputation far beyond her sister ships. Commissioned in 1940, she served throughout the Pacific War and became known for her remarkable survivability. From escort duties at Midway to fierce night battles in the Solomons, she repeatedly returned from engagements that sank or damaged ships around her, earning the nickname “the fortunate destroyer”.
By 1945 she carried additional anti-aircraft guns and radar as Japan shifted to desperate defensive actions. During the Ten-Ichi-Go operation she escorted the battleship Yamato on its final sortie. Yukikaze survived the war as the only ship of her class still afloat and later served with the Republic of China Navy before retiring in the 1970s. Her story remains one of the most enduring in naval history, symbolising endurance, luck and a long service life that outlasted the conflict that shaped her.
