Japan, 1933-45. IJN Ryūhō was one of the five converted light fleet aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (alongside the Zuiho and Chitose class), formerly auxilary vessels for which the Washington treaty was vague. Converted from the seaplane tender IJN Taigei in 1941-42, IJN Ryūhō arguably was the least appealing. She suffered from numerous … Read more
Japan, 1937-44. Zuihō (瑞鳳), Shōhō (祥鳳) The double life of the Zuihō pair Digitally colorized photo of IJN Shoho in December, 20, 1941 at Yokosuka by irootoko Jr. Always keen on cheating on the Washington Naval Treaty, the IJN staff planned a way to circumvent the limitations imposed upon them, by crating “convertible” vessels, declared … Read more
Light/Heavy Cruisers Mogami, Mikuma, Suzuya, Kumano. As Japan signed the treaty of London, the Imperial Navy was capped for heavy cruisers, and with extra limitations in tonnage. This led to the creation of four six “light” cruisers equiped with fifteen 6-in guns, later to be swapped for 8-in guns in wartime: The Mogami class (最上型) … Read more
WW2 Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers About 80 destroyers 1919-1945 Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyer’s complete overview Japanese destroyers acquired a fearsome reputation during WW2, contrary to WWI where they mostly completely forgotten, if not for their brief action in the Mediterranean, and deeds during the Port Arthur attack in 1905. This reputation is due to several … Read more
Empire of Japan, 1920. Light Cruisers: IJN Nagara, Isuzu, Natori, Yura, Kinu, Abukuma The second “three piper” light cruiser serie The six Nagara-class light cruisers (長良型軽巡洋艦, Nagaragata keijun’yōkan) of the Imperial Japanese Navy were part of the massive 1919 naval plan. They followed the previous Kuma class, being almost repeats with little changes. They made … Read more
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
