
The Seta Class gunboats were a series of vessels used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the late 19th century.
These gunboats were designed for coastal defense and patrol duties, with a focus on speed and maneuverability.
They were relatively small, with a length of around 23 meters and a beam of about 5 meters.
The Seta Class gunboats were armed with a single 11-centimeter gun and several smaller guns, making them suitable for engaging enemy ships and shore-based targets.
Their shallow draft allowed them to navigate in shallow waters, making them ideal for coastal operations.
The Seta Class gunboats played a significant role in the Japanese naval expansion during this period.
Design and Description
The Japanese gunboat Seta was a remarkable vessel, with a design inspired by the gunboat Toba. It had a hull length of 56.08 metres (184.0 ft) and a width of 8.23 metres (27.0 ft).
The Seta had a normal displacement of 338 tons and a draft of 1.02 metres (3.3 ft). It was propelled by two reciprocating engines with two Kampon boilers driving three shafts, producing 1,400 hp (1,000 kW) and had a top speed of 16 knots.
The ship was initially armed with two 80 mm (3.1 in)/28 cal. guns and six 7.7mm machine guns.
The Seta class gunboats had a standard displacement of 338t (333 long tons) and 400t (390 long tons) at full load. They were powered by two Kampon boilers fed to a two-cylinder compound steam engine turning two shafts, creating 1,600 kW (2,100 ihp).
The Seta class had a maximum speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) and had capacity for 74t (73 long tons; 82 short tons) of coal and 25t (25 long tons; 28 short tons) of oil for fuel, giving them a range of 1,750 nautical miles (3,240 km; 2,010 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph).
The ships had a complement of 62. They were armed with two 7.6 cm/40 cal. guns and three or six 13.2mm (0.52 in) machine guns.
Here are the specifications of the Seta class gunboats at a glance:
Service Record

The Japanese gunboat Seta had a notable service record.
The Seta was commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1905.
During the Russo-Japanese War, the Seta played a supporting role, providing gunfire support to Japanese troops.
It operated in the Yellow Sea, helping to secure key naval victories for Japan.
The Seta was decommissioned in 1919, marking the end of its service.
Specifications and Models
The Japanese gunboat Seta was a small but mighty vessel. It was built in 1894 and measured 33.5 meters in length.
The Seta's main armament consisted of a single 12-centimeter gun. This was a significant upgrade from previous models, providing increased firepower for its size.
Its beam was 5.5 meters, making it a relatively narrow vessel.
Aoshima 1:700 IJN Hira
The Aoshima 1:700 IJN Hira is a scale model kit that requires some assembly and painting to complete. It's a great project for modelers who enjoy working with plastic parts.
This kit is a replica of a Japanese warship from World War II, specifically designed for the 1:700 scale. If you're interested in building this model, you'll need to have some basic modeling tools on hand.

Some of the tools you'll need to assemble and paint the Aoshima 1:700 IJN Hira include a model penknife, file or sandpaper, and a brush or airbrush. You'll also need modeling paints to bring the model to life.
Here's a list of some of the tools and materials you'll need to get started:
- Pilers for cutting plastic parts.
- Modeling penknife.
- File or sandpaper.
- Cement for plastic models.
- Brush or airbrush.
- Modeling paints.
The Aoshima 1:700 IJN Hira is a great choice for modelers who want to build a historical model of a Japanese warship from World War II. With the right tools and materials, you can create a detailed and accurate replica of this ship.
Ships in Class
The Seta-class gunboats were a series of vessels built for riverine warfare. They were designed to operate in shallow waters.
The construction data for the Seta-class ships reveals some interesting facts. Seta, the lead ship, was launched on June 30, 1922, and completed on October 6, 1923.
Here's a breakdown of the construction data for each ship in the class:
These ships were built to serve in the Seta-class, a designation that reflects their shared characteristics and purpose.
Sources
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_gunboat_Seta
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Seta-class_gunboat
- https://agtom.eu/en/military/330940-aoshima-04547-1-700-gunboat-seta-hira.html
- https://www.hlj.com/1-700-scale-ijn-gun-boats-seta-hira-2-ship-set-aos04547
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seta-class_gunboat
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