Hasegawa 49522 1/700 Heianmaru - Compact Japanese Submarine Depot Ship Model Kit  [HA-49522]

Overview of the Hasegawa 49522 1/700 Heianmaru kit

The Hasegawa 1/700 Heianmaru kit recreates the wartime Japanese submarine depot ship in miniature form. As a member of the Water Line Series, the model emphasises scale accuracy and detailed components. The Heianmaru served as a logistical hub for submarines, providing a rewarding subject for historians and hobby builders who focus on fleet support craft.

Historical context and modelling interest

Serving the Imperial Japanese Navy, the Heianmaru acted as a mobile maintenance base for subs, which gives the kit a distinct operational story. The build reflects the ship's functional layout and offers modellers a chance to build something different from typical combat ships.

Construction tips and presentation

Built at 1/700 scale, the parts require precise trimming and careful gluing, followed by thoughtful painting to bring out detail. The small scale suits shelf displays and grouped scenes, enabling collectors to show support vessels alongside destroyers and submarines for a broader wartime picture.