1:700 JMSDF Defense Ship LST-4001 Ohsumi
The largest new transport ship of the Maritime Self-Defense Force, which was commissioned in March 1998, is "Osumi". It has a vast top deck, large flares on both sides of the bow, and a stealth flat bridge. It can carry 330 Ground Self-Defense Forces and dozens of tanks and large vehicles. And the rear deck can park and land two large helicopters. In addition, two air cushion boats housed in the weld dock at the rear of the hull. LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushion) allows vehicles and personnel to be transported directly to land. "Osumi" takes advantage of its excellent mobility and loading capacity to move to the operation area of the Ground Self-Defense Force unit in the event of an emergency. There are great expectations for transportation, relief activities in the event of a large-scale disaster, and as a supply base for PKO (UN Peacekeeping Activities).
The state-of-the-art transport ship "Osumi" of the Maritime Self-Defense Force is a 1/700 plastic model assembly kit.
Overall length 254 mm, overall width 37 mm.
A large hull with a high side and a vast deck, a bridge with a flat structure pursuing stealth performance, etc. are modeled with a rich sense of uniqueness. The details such as the David, mast, and crane on both sides that house the workboat is sharply finished.
The rear weld dock is also realistically reproduced such as the floor and partition, and the large rear lamp is movable. A set of two large helicopters, LCAC and CH-47.
Slide marks are provided for the shipping number, lines on the deck, landing marks for helicopters, etc.
On August 30, 1999, Tamiya staff visited "Osumi" who was visiting Shimizu Port to participate in a disaster prevention drill. The model that had just been developed was presented to Captain Tsutomu Narukage. It seemed that the captain, as well as the crew, were very interested in the model that faithfully reproduced not only the huge hull and the top deck but also the transport air cushion boat LCAC.
