Aoshima 1/700 05269 HMS Dorsetshire RN Heavy Cruiser Kit
Deatiled 1:700 scale plastic model kit for the Royal Navy WW2 heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire, one of 7 of the Norfolk sub-type County class heavy cruisers built to Washington treaty limitations. Assigned to the Royal Navy's China station at the outbreak of WW2 HMS Dorsetshire participated in the hunt for the KMS Bismarck before being sunk by Japanese aircraft off Ceylon in 1942.
With displacement under 10,000 long tons, HMS Dorsetshire was built in compliance with the Washington Naval Treaty. Total of 7 Norfolk class (a sub-class of County class) were planned, but only 2; Norfolk and Dorsetshire were built.
From 1935 to 1939, Dorsetshire was assigned to the China Station, but sent to South American waters after the outbreak of World War II. In May 1941, she participated in the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck. At the end of the battle, she fired 3 torpedoes, of which 2 hit the Bismarck, sinking the battleship.
In 1942, she was assigned to the Eastern Fleet. In April 5th, Dorsetshire and HMS Cornwall were spotted, and attacked by Japanese Type 99 carrier bombers off the coast of Ceylon, where both cruisers were sunk.