Plans were drawn up in 1993 and in March of 1998, the biggest transport ship of the JMSDF, the "Ohsumi" was deployed. She boasts an immense upper deck, with an overall length of 160m, breadth of 25.8m and houses a vehicle loading space on the front and a helicopter landing deck on the rear. The front of her hull supports a 100m long vehicle deck. In combination with the upper deck, the loading of between ten and twenty tanks and about forty large scale vehicles is possible. In the rear of the hull, there is a 60m long space for two LCAC (Landing Craft Air Cushions) placed end to end. The first transport hovercraft of the JSDF, the LCAC rides on a cushion of air over water or land at a height of 1.2m at a maximum speed of 40kt (74km/h). The "Ohsumi" type of vessel enables the efficient transport of JDS gournd troops to strategic locations, rescue of civilians in case of large scale natural disaster, and potentially functions as a suplly base for United Nations Peace Keeping Operations.

Features

• This is a 1/700 scale assembly model kit based on the state-of-the-art transport ship of the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, Ohsumi.
• Overall length: 254mm, overall width: 37mm.
  From her armoured hull to her reinforced bridge, the unique "Ohsumi" transport ship has been richly recreated at every turn.
• The davits, masts, crances and other minute details have been painstakingly reproduced.
• Flooring and partitions of the rear well-dock are also authentic and features a moveable ramp.
• Four LCAC hovercraft, two in transport mode, two in loading/unloading mode and two large CH-47 helicopters are also included in set.
• Vessel number, deck lines, and helicopter landing markings have been recreated as decals.