Launched in May 1930, the IJN heavy cruiser Takao served throughout the Pacific War, taking part in many campaigns and ending up as a stationary anti-aircraft defense battery after being heavily damaged by US submarines after the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944. She was finally used as a target practice ship for the HMS Newfoundland.

Aoshima's much-anticipated original release of the Takao in 1/350 scale was a completely new tooling, sharply molded in gray styrene with a black display stand. This second release is a full-hull model that builds into the Takao as she appeared in 1944. Includes a Type 0 Reconnaissance Floatplane (biplane) and a Type 0 Three-Seat Reconnaissance Floatplane (monoplane). Also includes photo-etched metal detail parts for the main gun turret range finder cover, the stern signal light, and the direction finder antenna. The 16-page instruction booklet is in Japanese and English, with descriptive illustrations. Another great addition to any collection of 1/350 ships!