Hasegawa 49502 - Hikawamaru 1/700 Historic Hospital Ship Kit  [HA-49502]

Hasegawa 49502 1/700 Hikawamaru - compact naval kit

The Hasegawa 1/700 Hikawamaru kit captures a vessel that began life as a 1930s passenger liner and was later converted for medical service in wartime. The model focuses on the ship's distinctive outline and conversion details at a small, display-friendly scale.

Service history and appearance

Hikawamaru served both civilian and wartime roles, and the conversion to a hospital ship is reflected in deck arrangement and superstructure changes. The kit reproduces these visible differences to help tell the ship's story.

Building approach and tips

At 1/700 scale, parts are delicate and require careful handling. Use fine cutters, a good hobby knife, and precise adhesive application. Dry-fitting components before gluing will improve alignment and finish.

Where it fits in a collection

This model is ideal for modellers who enjoy compact naval subjects or who want to add a historically interesting hospital ship to a diorama. Its modest footprint makes it easy to display with other 1/700 subjects.