The Sen Toku-class I-401 was once the largest submarine in the world. It was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Nobukiyo Nambu of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Capable of carrying three two-seat Aichi M6A1 "Seiran" (Mountain Haze) float torpedo bombers, the Sen Tokus were built to launch a surprise air strike against the Panama Canal. When I-401 was completed and commissioned on 8 January 1945 in the Kure Naval District, the Second World War was almost over. This left the fate of I-401 uncertain. After several attempts to launch, I-401 set course for its first target, but was stopped by Emperor Hirohito's broadcast, calling for an end to all hostilities on 15 August 1945. On 26 August 1945, I-401 hoisted a black flag of surrender. Its unmanned planes were catapulted into the sea, all 20 Type 95 torpedoes were destroyed, and all codes, logs, charts and secret documents were also destroyed. Three days later, on 29 August 1945, I-401 was picked up on USS Segundo's radar. I-401 surrendered to the US ship. Lieutenant Commander Nobukiyo Nambu delivered two samurai swords, as a symbol of surrender, to Lieutenant John Edward Balson, Segundo's Prize Crew officer. I-401 was finally sunk, when

Shown here is a 1:350 scale replica of the Imperial Japanese Navy I-400 submarine. Rudder detached from submarine. Final sale. Now in stock!

Diorama Dimensions:
Length: 13-3/4-inches
Width: 1-3/4-inches

Release Date: February 2013