Japan, 1940-45. Fleet Aircraft Carriers: Shōkaku 翔鶴, Zuikaku 瑞鶴 The best ever IJN fleet carriers ? Shōkaku in Yokosuka, August 23, 1941 Shōkaku and Zuikaku in many ways represented the pinnacle of IJN aicraft carrier development in 1937. Unbound by treaty limits since December 1936, engineers were now free to work out the design the … Read more
Japan, 1938-42. Fleet Aircraft Carrier Soryū’s near sister ship IJN Hiryū was the second purpose-built medium fleet aircraft carrier, and near-sister ship of IJN Soryū, the “blue dragon”. She shared most caracteristics, powerplant, armament, armor scheme, general layout, but with significant changes as well, like the island’s position, higher freeboard, better protection and other improvements. … Read more
Japan, 1937-42. Fleet Aircraft Carrier The first purpose-built IJN fleet carrier Another important landmark in the development of IJN air power, was the construction of the IJN Sōryū. Until then, following a parralel with the USN, IJN Hosho was the earlier equivalent to the USS langley, Converted IJN Akagi and Kaga, the answer to USS … Read more
Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet Light Aircraft Carrier IJN Ryūjō was a light IJN carrier of 8,000 metric tons displacement designed to exploit Washington treaty’s limitations loopholes under 10,000 tonnes. Contrary to her style, narrow with a cruiser bow and no island, she was not a converted cruiser but was designed in effect. However the would … Read more
Heavy Cruisers Takao, Atago, Maya, Chokai. The most formidable IJN heavy cruisers: The Takao heavy cruiser class (started 1927, launched 1930, completed 1932) included the Takao, Atago, Maya and Chokai. They were were among the very best and most active Japanese cruisers of the Second World War, really outshining all the others. Like the other … Read more
IJN Kaga (1927) Japan, 1927. Fleet Aircraft Carrier The Kaga, second IJN fleet aircraft carrier IJN Kaga was the third IJN carrier to enter service, converted, as her sister ship Akagi, on a cancelled capital ship of the original 8-8 plan, according to the Washington treaty. But contrary to the former, Kaga was not the … Read more
IJN Akagi (1925) Japan, 1925. Fleet Aircraft Carrier The Akagi, first IJN fleet aircraft carrier: IJN Akagi was the second IJN carrier to enter service, converted, as her sister ship Kaga later, on a cancelled capital from “8-8 plan” due to the Washington treaty limitations. With Kaga, the Zuikaku class, IJN Hiryu and IJN Soryu, … Read more
Heavy Cruisers Nachi, Haguro, Myoko, Ashigara. The Nachi: First true IJN heavy cruisers The heavy cruisers of the Nachi class* were laid down between 1924 and 1925, completed in 1928-29. This represented a brave leap forward in terms of capabilities of the Imperial Japanese Navy, as they reached the very limits of the Washington treaty … Read more
Kongō class Fast Battleships (1912) Japan, 1911-15. IJN Kongo, Kirishima, Hiei, Haruna. The last Japanese capital ships built in UK: The Kongo class were the first and last IJN battlecruisers, studied from 1911. Due to the 1902 Anglo-Japanese naval alliance, Japan was the third country to embark on this new breed, and its lead ship, … Read more
IJN Yamato, Musashi. The last IJN battleships: IJN Yamato, like Bismarck, is the subject of a post-war myth. Mysterious, because classified as highly secretive, it was known only by name by the US secret service in 1941 when she entered service. This ship and her sister, still fascinates the world today, justified an underwater expedition, … Read more
