Compared to the other companies in the original Water Line consortium, Hasegawa has fallen well behind the pace of new releases in 1:700 scale naval models. Thankfully, March 2015 brings two long-overdue releases of the IJN light cruisers Tenryu and Tatsuta.
At the time of their 1918-1919 construction, the Tenryu class of light cruisers comprised the most advanced warships of their type in the IJN. They were the first light cruisers to feature three sets of geared turbines, which gave them a then unmatched top speed of 33 knots. They were built to serve as flagships for destroyer squadrons, and were essentially an intermediate class between destroyers and cruisers. Soon superseded in both speed and armament, they were out of front-line service by 1938, but modernized in preparation for hostilities in the Pacific.
Hasegawa's original releases of Tenryu (1973) and Tatsuta (1980) are now relics of the early days of 1:700 scale modeling. Despite a seven year difference in release date, the two kits are from the same mold. Intriguingly, the original Tatsuta kit box art depicts the class's original canvas covered bridge, but both kits build with the circa-1940 enclosed bridge. These kits are notable for lack of superstructure (no doors or portholes) and weapons details, thick castings, and odd parts design (the third funnel mates to the deck via a hard-to-disguise circular casting, for example). Hasegawa sought to provide an update for these kits in 2005 with the release of two small dedicated PE sets, but they are incomplete in their corrections and ultimately awkward upgrades:
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG3S-27/Nav,
http://www.hlj.com/product/HSG3S-26/NavHasegawa's 2015 release is a stunning upgrade over the original kits described above. Six sprues and a large decal sheet comprise the kit, as well as a large sheet of instructions. Instructions provide options for the original 1940 upgrade, or enhanced AA armament circa 1942.
The hull is cast in two parts, with rigid bracing. A third part forms the lower, waterline hull. The hull parts include a finely-cast degaussing cable (likely added during the 1940 upgrades, and presenting a challenge for back-dating these kits). Deck construction is split between three parts, two at the bow, and one for the mid-ship - stern deck. Superstructures and funnels come with fine molded detail, and light and heavy armament and other deck/davit details appear on par with Fine Molds and other upgraded accessory kits. Mast assemblies are finally cast as well.
The decal sheet is worth further comment as it appears to break ground for a 1:700 WL kit. Decals for draft marking are included for the bow and stern, as well as the ship names for the ship's motor boat, cutter, and sampan. Quite impressive.
Nice to see Hasegawa back in the game with a long overdue update of this class. Here's links to the respective kits and instructions:
Tatsuta:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10311771z/70/1Tenryu:
http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/image/10311768z/70/1Edit - kudos to Vladi for picking this up - see his post below: The Tatsuta kit does indeed come with linoleum planking stripped in a bow-stern orientation, as seen in comparing parts E6, E9 and E5 in the Tatsuta directions with the transverse orientation of parts D3, D1 and D2 with the Tenryu kit. The bridge details are subtly different, with the Tenryu kit depicting a rangefinder above the bridge roof, and the Tatsuta kit showing an observation platform. There is also a slight difference in the configuration of the rear mast between the two kits. The majority of differences are contained on sprues D and E of the respective kits. Thank you, Vlad!
The only spare parts will come from the decision not to build the ships with upgraded AA.