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This is the old 1965, 1/600 scale, Airfix kit of HMS Ajax (c.1939) converted to represent His Majesty's New Zealand Ship LEANDER. The model represents LEANDER when she suffered severe torpedo damage in Kula Gulf, in the Solomons, on the night of 12/13 July 1943. At that time LEANDER was a unit of TG 36.1 which intercepted a "Tokyo Express" in New Georgia Sound (the "Slot"), endeavouring to re-supply Vila on Kolombangara Island. Also badly damaged by torpedoes in the battle were the US cruisers St. Louis and Honolulu and the US destroyer Gwin, however the Japanese force retired after losing their flagship, Jintsu. In mid 1943 HMNZS LEANDER was painted Dark Sea Grey, and her decks darkened with engine oil stain. LEANDER differed from her 'sisters' of the Leander Class, in that her catapult was removed in 1941, she had a lattice mast supporting an American HF/DF antenna between her funnel and for'ard mast, and her after boat deck was altered to carry radar. LEANDER also had RAS derricks and booms alongside the main superstructure which had bridge wings. Directors on the open bridge were mounted further aft, with one on a separate platform, outboard of the bridge superstructure. LEANDER'S for'ard 4-inch mounts, to port and starboard, were also repositioned further forward and her whaler seaboats were between the two 4-inch mounts on either side. Also worth noting are the 9 x20mm AA guns carried in various locations. These were 'pirated' from Revell's USS Flint kit as no 20mm AA is supplied in the Airfix kit. The masts and yards were made from superglued fine steel rod. Funnel siren piping and engine room vent piping was made from stretched sprue and fine gauge aluminium rod. Toms Modelworks photoetched railings and ladders were used plus various gauges of fuse-wire for rigging, booms, funnel cap, etc. Main rigging and aerial wires were made from invisible mending thread. Tamiya paints were used throughout. If you want to make a Leander Class light cruiser, although an old kit, Airfix's HMS Ajax is the only game in town. If you enjoy researching and adding authentic detail to your models, then Airfix's HMS Ajax kit can be made to look presentable. Good reference sources include: "Well Done Leander" by Jack Harker,
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