This is one of Model Art Modeling Magazine’s special editions. The text is mainly in Japanese with some English subtitles throughout. One benefit to these magazines is the high quality of the photographs and the models that are used.

This special issue covers 1/700th scale ships of the IJN, almost all of which are waterline versions.

The first article is about Tamiya and their Water Line Series. They use several pictures of the actual models, brochures that came in the kits, period photos, and even a nice picture of Mr. Tamiya himself.

Next is another short article that features some beautifully built models. Unfortunately, due to the text being Japanese, I cannot say for sure what the article is about.

The main bulk of the magazine consists of ten sections, broken down as follows: battleships, light cruisers built between 1917 and 1925, light cruisers built between 1940 and 1944, seaplane tenders, submarine depot ships and minelayers, gunboat and escort ships, small combat and auxiliary ships, converted merchant ships, warships of the Russo-Japanese War, and merchant Ships, incomplete ships, and Army ships. The last section covers tugboats, harbor structures, Naval planes, and equipment. Almost every item has a picture of the box top, the sprue layout, and the finished model. The one surprising thing is that there is no coverage of aircraft carriers. Maybe in the next one.

If you are a fan of 1/700th Japanese Naval ship models, I would recommend this book to you.

I would like to thank Model Art Magazine and IPMS/USA for the opportunity to review this product.