Tamiya 31806 - 1/700 Scale Hood & E Class Destroyer Historical Modellers Kit  [31806]

Brief History of the Hood and E Class Destroyers

The Tamiya 31806 kit presents faithful 1/700 scale representations of two Royal Navy types from World War II: the battle cruiser Hood and the E Class destroyers. Hood, commissioned in May 1920, had a displacement of 48,360 tons and was widely regarded as a major symbol of British sea power during her service life.

On 23 May 1941 Hood sortied with Prince of Wales and several destroyers to engage the German battleship Bismarck and heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. In the action Hood was struck by Bismarck, causing an explosion that sank the ship and claimed 1,416 lives.

The E Class destroyers Echo and Electra, completed in 1934, displaced about 1,350 tons and could achieve speeds near 36 knots. These ships undertook convoy escort and fleet duties across Arctic and Mediterranean routes and later operations further afield.

Model Highlights and Assembly Observations

This Tamiya offering captures fine structural detail in 1/700 scale. The finished Hood measures 375mm while an E Class model is 143mm, providing a realistic comparison of size. The kit reproduces hull lines, superstructure and deck fittings with care.

Practical modelling features include moveable main guns and torpedo launchers mounted with polycaps. The E Class hull halves are designed for straightforward joining, and the kit supplies marking options for all nine E Class destroyers to support accurate historical displays.