Vessel Model Special No.70

Feature: The Battle of the Coral Sea

A new dimension in naval warfare—inevitable and unprecedented. Six months after the Japanese Navy demonstrated the effectiveness of aircraft carriers at Pearl Harbor, the first carrier-vs-carrier battle in history erupted between Japanese forces advancing toward Port Moresby and the Allied forces attempting to stop them. This was the Battle of the Coral Sea. Unlike traditional naval battles, this engagement saw aircraft launched toward enemies far beyond the horizon—well outside visual range—ushering in a new era of naval combat defined by speed and distance. Vessel Model Special No.70 presents an in-depth feature on this historic battle, covering not only the carriers of both fleets but also showcasing the latest model kits.

Model Builds

Imperial Japanese Navy

• Aircraft Carrier Zuikaku (Fujimi 1/700)
• Aircraft Carrier Shokaku (Fujimi 1/700)
• Aircraft Carrier Shoho (Hasegawa 1/700, Fujimi 1/700)
• Training Cruiser Kashima (Aoshima 1/700)
• Cruiser Haguro (Fujimi 1/700)
• Light Cruiser Yubari (Tamiya 1/700)
• Destroyer Sazanami (Yamashita Hobby 1/700)
• Destroyer Mutsuki (Yamashita Hobby 1/700)

U.S. Navy

• Aircraft Carrier USS Lexington (Pit-Road 1/700)
• Aircraft Carrier USS Yorktown (Trumpeter 1/700)
• Destroyer USS Morris (Tamiya 1/700)

Articles

• The Battle of the Coral Sea – A Historical Overview
• How the Japanese Navy Communicated the Battle to the Public
• Detailed Blueprints of Japanese and American Carriers
• What Were the Ariake-class Destroyers?
• Many additional photographic references included!

Special Features

• French Battleship Dunkerque (Hobby Boss 1/350)
• U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Midway (Orange Hobby 1/700)

Regular Columns

• Mikasa Dispatch
• Introduction to Solid Ship Models
• Encyclopedia of Japanese Warships