Preview: 1/350th scale Atlanta & San Diego from Atori Bunka

Atori Bunka, a new brand with a connection to another model company we know, has released their first two kits, both US Cruisers from WWII. We look at the CADs, art, features, & a completed kit in our preview...

Preview: 1/350th scale Atlanta & San Diego from Atori Bunka

The subject: The Atlanta-Class Destroyers, Atlanta & San-Diego
The Atlanta-class cruisers were a group of eight light cruisers built for the United States Navy during World War II. Originally designed as fast scout cruisers, flotilla leaders, or destroyer leaders, they ultimately proved highly effective as anti-aircraft cruisers. These ships were also referred to as the Atlanta-Oakland class. The initial design featured a formidable array of 16 x 5-inch (127 mm)/38 calibre guns mounted in eight two-gun turrets. 

USS Atlanta (CL 51) steaming at high speed, probably during her trials, circa November 1941.

The turret arrangement consisted of three superfiring turrets forward, three more aft, and two waist mounts—one on each side of the ship—providing the first four cruisers of the class with the heaviest anti-aircraft armament of any cruiser in the war. However, the last four ships in the class, beginning with Oakland, had a revised armament configuration. Their main gun battery was reduced by the removal of the waist turrets, reflecting wartime experience and a shift in design priorities towards optimising their anti-aircraft capabilities.

USS San Diego alongside port-to-USS Taluga fueling up 13 Feb 1945 in TF58.

These cruisers saw extensive combat service throughout World War II, collectively earning an impressive total of 54 battle stars. Two ships, the Atlanta and the Juneau, were lost in action during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. The remaining six cruisers were decommissioned shortly after the war and were eventually scrapped in the 1960s.

USS Atlanta (CL-51) was the lead ship of the Atlanta class, a series of eight light cruisers built for the United States Navy. She was the third Navy vessel to bear the name of Atlanta, Georgia. Designed primarily to provide anti-aircraft protection for U.S. naval task groups, Atlanta fulfilled this role in major engagements, including the naval battles of Midway and the Eastern Solomons. During the intense night action of 13 November 1942 at the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, the cruiser suffered severe damage from both Japanese forces and friendly gunfire. By the afternoon of the same day, her captain gave the order to scuttle the vessel, marking her loss in combat.

USS Atlanta (CL 51) on trials, November 1941.

USS San Diego (CL-53) was another Atlanta-class light cruiser, commissioned shortly after the U.S. entered World War II. She remained active throughout the Pacific theatre, serving in multiple operations. With an armament consisting of 16 5-inch (127 mm)/38 calibre dual-purpose anti-aircraft guns and 16 Bofors 40 mm AA guns, the Atlanta-class cruisers boasted one of the most formidable anti-aircraft broadsides of any warship in the conflict.  San Diego distinguished herself as one of the most decorated U.S. ships of the war, earning 18 battle stars for her service. She was also the first major Allied warship to enter Tokyo Bay following Japan’s surrender. After her wartime service, she was decommissioned in 1946 and later sold for scrapping in December 1960.

The port side view of USS San Diego (CL 53) preparing to tie-up at Mare Island on 10 April 1944.

The kits:

The Atlanta and the San Diego are sister ships in the same line, so both these models are almost identical; both come with the same accessories but different decals depicting each of the ships.

USS ATLANTA CL-51 Cruiser

From Atori Bunka

AT35003

1/350 scale

12 sprues, deck & hull parts

Photo-etch included

Anchor chain included

The lead and probably most famous ship in her run, the Atlanta, comes in 12 plastic sprues plus plastic hull, deck and superstructure walls. The anchor chain, photo etch and decals for the lead ship also come in the package.

The 16 x 5-inch (127 mm)/38-calibre guns were mounted in eight two-gun turrets are clearly visible among the twin-barrelled BOFORS guns on this busy deck...

USS San Diego CL-53 Cruiser

From Atori Bunka

AT35005

1/350 scale

12 sprues, deck & hull parts

Photo-etch included

Anchor chain included

The San Diego comes with decals to match the ship, anchor chain and a small sheet of photo-etch. Twelve small sprues plus the hull, deck and other parts of the ship make up this 350th-scale kit.

The Bofors,radar and detection gear can se seen here in the CADs

The test kit, built & painted.

Great photos of the built kit (either could be depicted as they are sister ships with minimal difference). The detail and small parts like the handrails are very impressive for 1/350th scale.

No website or distributor is listing this for sale as of yet for this new company, but we will let you know as soon as we have it.