Known for their accuracy and attention to detail, Aoshima's precision Waterline Series focuses on naval ship models, depicting the ship's structure from the waterline and above. Models in this series are designed to be seen as if floating on the water, highlighting the above-water structure, whilst also making for a more practical and space-efficient display on a flat surface.
USS Wasp was the only ship of her class; essentially a reduced size Yorktown-class design, she was built to use up the remaining tonnage allowed to the US Navy under the Washington Naval Treaty. Although more vulnerable than her US contemporaries, the Wasp had the distinction of being the first carrier fitted with a deck-edge aircraft lift.
Initially, USS Wasp was assigned to the Atlantic; the perception was that the Axis powers were less well-equipped to deal the sort of damage that Wasp was vulnerable to. She'd been launched with essentially no armor, a comparatively low top speed, and very poor protection against torpedoes. This all came back to haunt her: in June 1942, Wasp was transferred to the Pacific, to help replace losses suffered at the Coral Sea and Midway; on September 15th of the same year, she was hit by three torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-19. The damage, subsequent explosions, and fire were catastrophic; Wasp was abandoned, and scuttled by torpedoes from USS Lansdowne.
Aoshima's precision Waterline Series model kit represents USS Wasp as she would have appeared with her air wing embarked.
- 1/700 scale precision model kit
- Waterline design
- Assembly required
- Glue, paint, and tools not included - available separately
- Not a toy: not intended for children under 15 years old
- Made in Japan
