This is a 1/700 scale Hasegawa waterline series small model of the Japanese ocean liner
Heian Maru which sailed from 1930 until sunk in 1944. It was named in honour of Kyoto's historic Hiean Shrine and launched on 24 November 1930.
The ocean liner was used mainly for the Japan-USA (Yokohama-Seattle) route until it was taken over the by the navy as a submarine tender in 1941 and eventually sunk in a torpedo attack in early 1944. It is now a popular scuba diving destination in Truk / Chuuk lagoon. The sister ship
Hikawa Maru remains as a museum in Yokohama harbour. This was one of the earliest diesel-powered ocean liners.
I added rigging for extra realism. It is a lovely kit and far better than the bad version offered by another Japanese company. I think it placed third in a local competition, and second in the Ajax regional competition.
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| Heian Maru |
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| Heian Maru |
The real one (or at least a postcard...
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| Heian Maru |
