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Japanese Military Models & Kits
Explore Japanese military model kits and display models, from Mitsubishi Zero fighters and Type 97 Chi-Ha tanks to Imperial Japanese Navy warships and modern JMSDF vessels. Choose by era, subject, manufacturer and scale, then compare UK retailer offers.
Find Tamiya, Airfix and Hasegawa aircraft and ships, with ICM and Warlord Games figure sets. Compare plastic kits with ready-built aircraft and brick-building models.
Featured build · Tamiya A6M3/3a Zero, 1:48
Featured Japanese military model kits
Three different routes into the range: an Easy Zero fighter, an Intermediate Japanese Army tank and a Challenging I-400 submarine. Choose the build as well as the subject; the Type 97 Chi-Ha and I-400 also link into our wider tank and submarine guides.
Best for a first plastic aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
A6M2b naval fighter · 1:72 scale
Best for Japanese Army armour
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:35
Type 97 medium tank · 1:35 scale
Best for a distinctive submarine project
Challenging · Plastic · 1:350
Aircraft-carrying submarine · Special Edition
Japanese military aircraft models
Compare an Army fighter, a naval fighter and an experimental design. Hasegawa’s 1:32 Nakajima Ki-43-II Hayabusa and 1:48 Kyushu J7W1 Shinden offer alternatives to Tamiya’s 1:72 Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero. The Shinden was a prototype, so it calls for a different historical setting from an operational fighter.
Best for an Army fighter subject
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:32
Nakajima Hayabusa / Oscar · 1:32 scale
The Nakajima Ki-43-II offers an Army aviation subject alongside the Navy’s Zero. Hasegawa’s 1:32 kit suits a larger fighter display and is rated Intermediate in our build difficulty system.
Best for an unusual aircraft layout
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
Kyushu prototype · 1:48 scale
The Shinden’s forward canard and rear propeller make it a different silhouette from a Zero. This 1:48 kit represents a prototype aircraft, so choose it for an experimental subject rather than a frontline squadron scene.
Best for a compact later Zero
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
Mitsubishi A6M5 / Zeke · 1:72 scale
Choose the A6M5 when you want a later Zero variant in a compact aircraft scale. Compare the 60779 code and its markings with earlier A6M2 and A6M3 kits before choosing your subject.
Mitsubishi Zero models
Select the Zero variant before comparing the brand or price. Airfix’s A6M2b represents an earlier version than the A6M5, while Tamiya offers the A6M3/3a Model 22 in both 1:72 and 1:48. The three kits below show how the same aircraft family spans different versions, scales and build ratings.
Best for a first plastic aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
A6M2b naval fighter · 1:72 scale
A compact Zero with an Easy build rating. Choose the exact A6M2b version for your collection and allow for separate glue and finishing supplies; this is a conventional plastic kit rather than a starter set.
Best for a 1:72 Model 22 collection
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
A6M3/3a Model 22 · 1:72 scale
This Tamiya Model 22 offers an A6M3/3a option at the same 1:72 scale as the Airfix A6M2b. Select the variant for its own aircraft configuration, rather than treating every Zero box as the same fighter.
Best for a larger Model 22 build
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
A6M3/3a · 1:48 scale
Move the A6M3/3a subject into 1:48 with this Challenging Tamiya kit. It takes more display space than a 1:72 Zero and offers a different build commitment; check the kit code as well as the shared aircraft name.
Japanese ship models
Build an Imperial Japanese Navy collection across different vessel types and periods. Hasegawa’s Mikasa is an early-1900s battleship, Tamiya’s Shinano a WW2 aircraft carrier, and Hasegawa’s Yukikaze a WW2 destroyer. For a different construction method, compare the MISINI M7001 Yamato brick kit; it has no verified scale in this catalogue.
Best for an early Japanese warship
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Russo-Japanese War subject · Waterline model
Mikasa takes a Japanese naval collection back to the Russo-Japanese War period. Hasegawa’s 1:700 waterline kit is a Challenging build with small ship fittings; it represents a different era from WW2 carriers and destroyers.
Best for a WW2 aircraft carrier
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Shinano carrier · 1:700 waterline
Shinano offers a carrier subject with a broad flight deck and small shipboard aircraft. The 1:700 scale keeps the overall display smaller than a larger-scale carrier, but the Challenging rating reflects the fine assembly work.
Best for a 1:350 destroyer display
Challenging · Plastic · 1:350
Operation Ten-Go configuration · 1945
Yukikaze adds a destroyer to the naval range. Hasegawa’s Z22 kit is a Challenging 1:350 project in an Operation Ten-Go configuration; check this specific fit before planning a wartime fleet display.
Japanese military figures and dioramas
ICM’s 1:48 pilots and ground personnel and Warlord Games’ 28mm Imperial Japanese infantry support different projects. Compare the service, uniform, scene and model size before buying figures to accompany an aircraft or vehicle. These are assembly and painting projects; scenery and vehicles are separate choices.
Best for an aviation figure scene
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
Pilots and ground personnel · 1:48 scale
Build and paint personnel for a 1:48 aviation scene. Match uniforms, service and poses to your chosen aircraft: sharing a scale does not by itself make these Army aviation figures an automatic match for a naval Zero.
Best for tabletop infantry modelling
Intermediate · Plastic · 28mm / 1:56
Bolt Action infantry · Assembly and painting
Choose these Bolt Action infantry figures for a tabletop force or a small military scene. Their 28mm format is distinct from the 1:48 aircrew set; check vehicle and scenery compatibility before mixing miniature ranges.
Choosing a scale for Japanese military models
For the same subject, 1:48 is larger than 1:72 and 1:350 is larger than 1:700. Across different subjects, check the actual finished dimensions: an aircraft, a tank and a warship will not take the same space at one ratio.
| Scale | Subject | What to consider | Catalogue examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:72 | Aircraft | A compact aircraft collection. Compare the exact variant and kit versus finished-model format. | Airfix A6M2b Zero / Tamiya A6M5 Zero / DeAgostini ready-built Zero |
| 1:48 | Aircraft and figures | Larger aircraft and figure projects. Match service and setting as well as scale. | Tamiya A6M3/3a Zero / Hasegawa Shinden / ICM pilots and ground personnel |
| 1:35 | Armour | A traditional armour scale. Check the tank’s version, finished dimensions and any figures intended for the scene. | Tamiya Type 97 Chi-Ha |
| 1:700 | Ships | A smaller naval scale with fine fittings. Check whether the hull is waterline or full hull, and match the era. | Hasegawa Mikasa / Tamiya Shinano / Tamiya Shimokita |
| 1:350 | Ships and submarines | A larger ratio than 1:700 for the same vessel. Compare actual finished length and available display space. | Tamiya I-400 / Hasegawa Yukikaze |
| 28mm / 1:56 | Figures | A tabletop miniature format; do not assume it matches 1:48 aircraft figures. | Warlord Games Imperial Japanese Infantry |
1:72 Japanese military models
Choose a compact Zero kit or an aircraft supplied ready for display. The Airfix A6M2b and Tamiya A6M5 are construction projects; the DeAgostini A6M2 is a finished model and carries no build-difficulty rating.
Best for a first plastic aircraft kit
Easy · Plastic · 1:72
A6M2b naval fighter · 1:72 scale
A compact Zero with an Easy build rating. Choose the exact A6M2b version for your collection and allow for separate glue and finishing supplies; this is a conventional plastic kit rather than a starter set.
Best for a compact later Zero
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:72
Mitsubishi A6M5 / Zeke · 1:72 scale
Choose the A6M5 when you want a later Zero variant in a compact aircraft scale. Compare the 60779 code and its markings with earlier A6M2 and A6M3 kits before choosing your subject.
Best for a finished aircraft display
Diecast · 1:72
Ready-built and painted · Stand included
Choose this finished A6M2 Zero if displaying an aircraft matters more than assembling one. It is listed at 1:72 and supplied painted with a stand; routine display setup does not receive a build-difficulty rating.
1:48 Japanese military models
The larger aircraft selection includes several Tamiya Zero variants and Hasegawa’s Shinden prototype. Compare the A6M3/3a Model 22 with the A6M5/5a Model 52, then use the prototype option for a different kind of aircraft collection.
Best for a larger Model 22 build
Challenging · Plastic · 1:48
A6M3/3a · 1:48 scale
Move the A6M3/3a subject into 1:48 with this Challenging Tamiya kit. It takes more display space than a 1:72 Zero and offers a different build commitment; check the kit code as well as the shared aircraft name.
Best for a 1:48 Model 52 collection
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
A6M5/5a Model 52 · 1:48 scale
Compare the Model 52 with the A6M3/3a when choosing a later Zero subject. This 1:48 Tamiya plastic kit is rated Intermediate, giving another build option within the larger aircraft scale.
Best for an unusual aircraft layout
Intermediate · Plastic · 1:48
Kyushu prototype · 1:48 scale
The Shinden’s forward canard and rear propeller make it a different silhouette from a Zero. This 1:48 kit represents a prototype aircraft, so choose it for an experimental subject rather than a frontline squadron scene.
1:700 Japanese ship models
Hasegawa’s Mikasa and Tamiya’s Shinano and Shimokita show three different eras and roles within one naval scale. Choose the vessel and period first: shared scale does not make an early battleship, a WW2 carrier and a modern transport ship one historical fleet.
Best for an early Japanese warship
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Russo-Japanese War subject · Waterline model
Mikasa takes a Japanese naval collection back to the Russo-Japanese War period. Hasegawa’s 1:700 waterline kit is a Challenging build with small ship fittings; it represents a different era from WW2 carriers and destroyers.
Best for a WW2 aircraft carrier
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
Shinano carrier · 1:700 waterline
Shinano offers a carrier subject with a broad flight deck and small shipboard aircraft. The 1:700 scale keeps the overall display smaller than a larger-scale carrier, but the Challenging rating reflects the fine assembly work.
Best for a modern Japanese naval subject
Challenging · Plastic · 1:700
JMSDF LST-4002 transport ship · 1:700 scale
Shimokita moves the collection into modern JMSDF service. This Challenging 1:700 transport-ship kit provides a different period and role from Mikasa or Shinano, despite sharing their model scale.
How to choose a Japanese military model
Use the aircraft variant, ship configuration or unit setting to narrow the range, then compare the work involved and the space needed for display.
Match the era and service
A Zero is a naval fighter, while the Ki-43 is an Army aviation subject. Mikasa belongs to the Russo-Japanese War period; Shimokita represents modern JMSDF service. Check exact markings and configuration for a particular scene.
Choose the building method
Traditional plastic kits, brick models, multi-part figures and ready-built diecast aircraft offer different experiences. Use our build difficulty guide for the supplied construction task. A finished aircraft does not need a construction rating.
Check the exact kit contents
Airfix A01005B is a basic kit, so do not assume paint and glue are included. Tamiya’s I-400 Special Edition is a specific release: compare the manufacturer code and Contents field when another box depicts the same submarine.
Plan the display and figures
Check length, wingspan, shelf depth and hull format. For dioramas, match scale, uniform and service. ICM’s 1:48 aircrew and Warlord’s 28mm infantry are different figure formats, and neither is supplied as a complete airfield or jungle scene.
Compare Japanese military models
Compare the recommended kits and finished models by era, scale and build difficulty. A dash means construction difficulty is not applicable to the supplied finished display model.
| Model / brand | Era | Scale | Difficulty | Price | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tamiya 25426 I-400 Special Edition | WW2 | 1:350 | Challenging | £133.16 | |
| ICM 48053 Japanese Pilots & Ground Personnel | WW2 | 1:48 | Intermediate | £18.93 | |
| Warlord Games Imperial Japanese Infantry | WW2 | 28mm / 1:56 | Intermediate | £55.58 | |
| Tamiya 35075 Type 97 Chi-Ha | WW2 | 1:35 | Intermediate | £15.14 | |
| Airfix A01005B A6M2b Zero | WW2 | 1:72 | Easy | £8.99 | |
| Tamiya 60779 A6M5 Zero | WW2 | 1:72 | Intermediate | £18.56 | |
| Tamiya 60785 A6M3/3a Zero Model 22 | WW2 | 1:72 | Intermediate | £20.70 | |
| DeAgostini A6M2 Zero Display Model | WW2 | 1:72 | — | £17.99 | |
| Hasegawa ST3 Ki-43-II Hayabusa | WW2 | 1:32 | Intermediate | £30.08 | |
| Tamiya 61108 A6M3/3a Zero | WW2 | 1:48 | Challenging | £37.80 | |
| Tamiya 61103 A6M5/5a Zero Model 52 | WW2 | 1:48 | Intermediate | £36.00 | |
| Hasegawa JT22 J7W1 Shinden | WW2 prototype | 1:48 | Intermediate | £20.99 | |
| Tamiya 31215 Aircraft Carrier Shinano | WW2 | 1:700 | Challenging | £31.78 | |
| Tamiya 31006 JMSDF Shimokita | Modern | 1:700 | Challenging | £34.20 | |
| Hasegawa 151 Battleship Mikasa | Early 1900s | 1:700 | Challenging | £27.52 | |
| Hasegawa Z22 Destroyer Yukikaze | WW2 | 1:350 | Challenging | £40.02 |
Japanese military models by era
The current range is strongest in WW2 aircraft and naval subjects, with earlier and modern ship options. Check the exact subject and markings before assuming that every Japanese model belongs to the Pacific War.
Early-1900s naval subjects
Hasegawa’s 1:700 Mikasa represents a battleship associated with the Russo-Japanese War. It provides an earlier naval project than the carrier, destroyer and submarine kits in the WW2 selection.
Second World War
The main selection covers Zero fighters, the Ki-43, Type 97 Chi-Ha armour, Shinano, Yukikaze, I-400 and military figures. The J7W1 Shinden adds a prototype subject; check service, unit and date before combining kits in one scene.
Modern JMSDF service
Tamiya’s 1:700 Shimokita offers a modern maritime transport subject. It provides a different period and purpose from Imperial Japanese Navy warships despite sharing their country and, in some cases, their model scale.
Browse all Japanese military models
Filter the Japanese range by subject, brand, scale or supplied format. The WW2 tab narrows the historical selection; All Japanese models also includes earlier and modern subjects. Open each listing to check the exact kit code, contents and current offer.
Hasegawa Battleship Mikasa 1:700 Waterline Model Kit 151
Japanese military model FAQs
Which Japanese military model kit is a good first build?
Airfix’s A01005B A6M2b Zero is rated Easy here and provides a compact 1:72 plastic aircraft project. It still needs assembly and finishing supplies. Compare the actual kit and our difficulty ratings, rather than assuming every Airfix, Tamiya or Hasegawa release has the same demands.
What is the difference between A6M2, A6M3 and A6M5 Zero kits?
They represent different versions of the Zero. This page includes an Airfix A6M2b, Tamiya A6M3/3a Model 22 and A6M5 options. Choose the version and supplied markings for your intended subject, then compare scale and build difficulty.
Should I choose 1:72 or 1:48 for a Japanese aircraft model?
For the same aircraft, 1:48 creates a larger model than 1:72. Tamiya offers the A6M3/3a as 60785 in 1:72 and 61108 in 1:48. Their catalogue difficulty ratings differ, so scale alone is not a reliable guide to construction demands.
Can I use the ICM Japanese aircrew with a 1:48 Zero?
The ICM 48053 figures share the 1:48 scale of several Zero kits, but depict Army aviation personnel. The Zero is a Navy fighter, so check uniforms, poses and historical setting before pairing them. A shared scale is only one part of a coherent scene.
Are all Japanese ship models WW2 battleships?
What does a waterline ship model mean?
A waterline model depicts the portion of the hull above the water rather than a complete underwater hull. It suits a sea-surface display or fleet scene. The Hasegawa 1:700 Mikasa is a waterline kit; check each individual box because hull formats vary across the range.
Can I buy a Japanese aircraft model without building it?
Yes. The DeAgostini 1:72 A6M2 Zero is supplied as a finished, painted display model with a stand. Minor display setup may remain, but there is no airframe construction project and no build-difficulty rating. Compare this format with the Airfix and Tamiya kits before ordering.
Are Japanese figures in 28mm the same as 1:48 aircrew?
No. The Warlord Games Imperial Japanese Infantry is a 28mm / 1:56 tabletop range, while ICM’s pilots and ground personnel are 1:48. Choose figures, vehicles and scenery intended for the same scale and setting rather than mixing them by nationality alone.
Is the Hasegawa Shinden a model of an operational fighter?
The Hasegawa JT22 J7W1 Shinden depicts a prototype aircraft. It did not progress into frontline service. Choose it for an experimental-aircraft collection, and use operational Zero or Ki-43 subjects when planning a service-aircraft scene.
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