Destroyers built 1924-26, Mutsuki, Kisaragi, Yayoi, Uzuki, Satsuki, Minazuki, Fumizuki, Nagatsuki, Kikuzuki, Mikazuki, Mochizuki, Yūzuki The Mutsuki-class destroyers were twelve destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) in the mid-1920s. They played a significant role in Japan’s naval strategy in World War II, together with all other “classic” destroyers of the “german type” cranked … Read more
2nd class Destroyers built 1921-23, N°2 to 26, 5 cancelled, renamed 1928: Wakatake, Kuretake, Sanae, Sawarabi, Asagao, Yūgao, Fuyō, Karukaya The Wakatake-class were decond class destroyers and follow-on to the Momi class as part of Japan’s 8-6 Fleet Program, FY1921. They were to complement the larger Minekaze and Kamikaze class destroyers. Thirteen were ordered in … Read more
Destroyers built 1919-23, Minekaze, Okikaze, Shimakaze, Nadakaze, Tachikaze, Hokaze, Nokaze, Namikaze, Numakaze, Sawakaze, Yakaze, Hakaze, Shiokaze, Akikaze, Yukaze. The Minekaze class (Minekazegata kuchikukan) were fifteen 1st-class destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy built for the 8-4 Fleet Program FY1917–1920 as a complement to the 2nd class Momi we just saw. Laid down in 1918 they … Read more
Destroyers built 1918-22, Momi, Kaya, Nashi, Take, Kaki, Tsuga, Nire, Kuri, Kiku, Aoi, Hagi, Fuji, Susuki, Hishi, Hasu, Warabi, Tade, Sumire, Tsuta, Ashi, Yomogi With the Momi class we cover a new important chapter of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the destroyers. After Battleships, cruisers and aircraft carriers it was important to cover not only their … Read more
Escort Aircraft Carrier (Launched 1939 as Argentina maru, converted 1943) IJN Kaiyō (海鷹, or Sea Hawk) was an escort carrier operated of the Imperial Japanese Navy, converted in wartime from the ocean liner Argentina Maru (launched in 1939 at Mitsubishi). She was purchased on 9 December 1942 for conversion into an escort carrier, commissioned on … Read more
Imperial Japanese Seaplane Tenders, 1942-44: IJN Akistushima, Chihaya, 3 more cancelled. IJN Akitsushima was a seaplane tender of the Imperial Japanese Navy launched in 1941 and completed in 1942. She was tailored as a large floatplane tenders for long range missions, and was even capable of launching them thanks to her massive catapult and facilities. … Read more
22 gunboats, 100+ armoured riverine ones. The Imperial Japanese Navy Gunboats: A wide topic encompassing pre-WW1 and WW1 models as well. Albeit with a base fleet of 22 gunboats in WW2, owned or captured, and many more light gunboats for riverine Operations in China. They were all operated by the IJN, but small armoured gun … Read more
IJN – Mizuho, Nisshin 1938-43. The last IJN seaplane carriers IJN Mizuho and Nisshin were near sister ships and related to the Chitose, built as “cheats” for the IJN: They were large fleet seaplane tenders designed as to be easily convertible in wartime, into aircraft carriers. This way the Washington and London treaty carrier tonnage … Read more
Escort Aircraft Carriers: IJN Taiyō, Chūyō, Un’yō, commissioned 1941-42 The first IJN escort carriers The paradox of the history of these three first escort carriers, is that they were not designed as such in the first place. The idea was to add more fleet carriers by converting civilian ships, the most capable and conform to … Read more
IJA/IJN Amphibious Ships, landing crafts and Landing Forces About 3000+ landing ships, crafts, assault vessels, transport subs and auxiliary carriers First post of 2024 ! We start with a big one, a full review of Imperial Japanese Army and Navy amphibious and landing assets, because… both service rivalry did not stop at developing their own … Read more
