by Christer Johansson
1/700 JMSDF Shimokita (Tamiya)
The LST-4002 Shimokita is the state-of-the-art transport ship of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF). The ship has a crew of 130, and can transport 330 ground troops. During the event of a disaster she can accommodate over 1000 civilians and potentially functions as a supply base for United Nations Peace Keeping Operations.
The Shimokita went into service on November, 2000. She boasts an immense upper deck, with an overall length of 160m and total breadth of 25.8m. The front deck is devoted to vehicle loading space and the rear deck serves as a heliport. The front of her hull is 100m long and combined with her upper deck can transport up to 10 tanks or other large military vehicles. The rear hull is 60m long and acts as a well-dock housing LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushions) hover craft.
The scene includes two JMSDF Type 1 Missile Boats (the fastest boat in the JMSDF) and SH-60J patrol helicopters. For the JGSDF (Japan Ground Self Defense Force) equipment, the diorama is stocked with CH-47J helicopters and vehicles such as tanks (Type-74 and -90), armored vehicles (Type-82, -87, -89 and -96), small personnel transports (HMV and Type-73 Small Utility Vehicle), to utility vehicles (Type-73 Large Utility Vehicle) and artillery units (155mm FH70 Mobile Artillery). There are 100 naval and 100 army figures in the diorama.
1/700 Scale. Manufacturer and kit: TAMIYA: JMSDF Defense Ship LST-4002 Shimokita. GOLD MEDAL MODELS: Modern JMSDF Ship set, Naval Figures.
