May 22, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
credit: psiakiThe submarines under the Harushio category are run by a diesel-electric engine and are under the Japanes Maritime Defence Force. Harushio means spring tide in English.
Compared to the Yushio submarines, the Harushios are a step higher, although they look alike, since they are much bigger but quieter underwater. They were used during the Second World War, but they were not able to survive.
The Harushio submarines are around 87 meters long and have a displacement of 2,750 tons when submerged. It usually carries 10 officers and 65 enlisted men and women. And as characteristic of the Japanese, it carries with it the latest in naval technology, with a Hughes/ Oki ZQQ5B hull mounted sonar and a JRC ZPS 6 I-band search radar. The Harushio has 20 torpedo tubes for 533 millimeter torpedoes and can do up to 20 reloads of the following: type 80 ASW torpedo, UGM-84 Harpoon and type 89 torpedo. Looking at all of that, we can safely conclude that this could actually be one of the most expensive Japanese submarines and had actually cost them 45 billion yen back then. Imagine the price of these now.
Well-known maker of quality replicas based in the United States, Lindberg Models, have produced a wonderful line of Japanese C3 subs. Their models are made with an amazing eye for detail and are considered as one of the most accurate replicas there are. The JMSDF SS Harushio submarine model have over 300 parts for not only does it include the mother ship, but a mini submarine as well. It is 58.5 inches long and 8 inches high and is in a scale of 1:72. A bit of assembling skill here is required since you’d be dealing with a bigger vessel…and it has 300 parts.
Products from Lindberg Models are of the highest quality there is and you would love their attention to detail and the almost exact likeness of the replica to that of the original. Any history buff and model enthusiast would sure love to have this submarine model in their collection. It is a wonderful piece, and had it been any bigger, you would be exploring the 7 seas on it! Grab one now!
Updated May 22, 2011. Published May 6, 2011. Bill Szydlowski
