Plastic model kit of IJN aircraft carrier HIYO ‘Battle of the Philippine Sea’ 1:350

IJN aircraft carrier HIYO ‘Battle of the Philippine Sea’ 1:350

Plastic model kit of Japanese aircraft carrier to be assembled by gluing and painting.

This 1/350 scale replica of the ship as it appeared during the Battle of the Philippine Sea, with its reinforced anti-aircraft armament, includes three Type 52 Zero fighters, three Type 21 Zero fighters and three Tenzans.

The IJN Hiyō aircraft carrier holds a distinctive place in Japanese naval history during World War II and is today a highly appreciated subject as a plastic model kit to assemble, especially at 1:350 scale.

Originally designed as a luxury passenger liner named Izumo Maru, the ship was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy at the beginning of the conflict and rapidly converted into a fleet aircraft carrier.

This transformation perfectly illustrates Japan’s industrial and military effort in the early 1940s, at a time when the country urgently needed to strengthen its naval air power.

Commissioned in July 1942, Hiyō belonged to a class of hybrid carriers built under strategic and technical constraints. Slower and less protected than purpose-built aircraft carriers, these ships nevertheless played a crucial role in supporting Japanese air operations across the Pacific.

Hiyō took part in several key missions, including convoy escort, pilot training, and fleet air cover in increasingly contested operational areas.

Its fate was ultimately sealed during the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944. Deployed as part of the Japanese Mobile Fleet, Hiyō participated in one of the most decisive naval air battles of the war. Facing an American air force that was vastly superior in both numbers and technology, the Imperial Japanese Navy suffered devastating losses. Hiyō was struck by torpedoes launched from U.S. carrier-based aircraft.

The resulting explosions caused uncontrollable fires and severe structural damage, leading to the ship’s sinking on June 20, 1944. This event marked a decisive and irreversible turning point in the Pacific War.

Recreating IJN Hiyō through a model kit to assemble offers a meaningful way to pay tribute to this emblematic warship. At 1:350 scale, every detail becomes significant: the flight deck layout, island structure, anti-aircraft armament, and the distinctive lines inherited from its civilian origins.

This type of plastic model kit to assemble appeals both to naval history enthusiasts and to experienced modelers seeking a demanding and rewarding build.

Renowned for the precision of their molds and historical accuracy, HASEGAWA kits provide an excellent foundation for an authentic representation.

The IJN Hiyō “Battle of the Philippine Sea” 1:350 model kit offers an ideal base, whether built straight from the box or enhanced with advanced detailing techniques.

This HASEGAWA model kit to assemble naturally belongs in any collection dedicated to major World War II naval vessels, combining historical depth, technical interest, and strong visual presence.