Unryū-class aircraft carrier
 Unryū on 16 July 1944
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Unryū-class aircraft carrier |
| Builders | list error: <br /> list (help) Yokosuka Naval Arsenal Kure Naval Arsenal Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation |
| Operators |  Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Preceded by | Shōkaku-class |
| Succeeded by | Project Number G18 (only a project) |
| Subclasses | list error: <br /> list (help) Unryū (Ship #302 and 5001–5006) Ikoma (Ship #5007–5015) |
| Cost | list error: <br /> list (help) 87,039,000 JPY in 1941[1] 93,442,000 JPY in 1942[2] |
| Built | 1942–1945 |
| In commission | 1944–1945 |
| Planned | 1 (1941) + 15 (1942) |
| Completed | 3 |
| Cancelled | 13 |
| Lost | 2 + 1 (Aso) |
| Retired | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Aircraft carrier |
| Displacement | list error: <br /> list (help) Unryū and Amagi 17,480 long tons (17,760 t) standard all others 17,150 long tons (17,425 t) standard |
| Length | 745 ft 11 in (227.36 m) o/a |
| Beam | 72 ft 2 in (22.00 m) |
| Draught | 25 ft 9 in (7.85 m) |
| Propulsion | list error: <br /> list (help) 8 × Ro-Gō Kampon water-tube boilers 4 × Kampon geared turbines, 4 shafts Katsuragi and Aso[3][4] 104,000 SHP all others[3][4] 152,000 SHP |
| Speed | list error: <br /> list (help) Katsuragi and Aso[3][4] 32 knots (37 mph; 59 km/h) all others[3][4] 34 knots (39 mph; 63 km/h) |
| Range | 8,000 nmi (15,000 km) at 18 knots (33 km/h)[3] |
| Endurance | list error: <br /> list (help) • Fuel: 3,750 tons oil[3][4] • Armaments for aircraft:[6] Unryū-class 72 × 800 kg bombs 288 × 250 kg bombs 456 × 60 kg bombs 36 × Type 91 torpedoes Ikoma-class 72 × 800 kg bombs 144 × 250 kg bombs 252 × 60 kg bombs 36 × Type 91 torpedoes |
| Complement | list error: <br /> list (help) Unryū and Amagi[3][4] 1,100 Katsuragi, Kasagi and Aso[3][4] 1,500 Ikoma[3][4] 1,595 |
| Sensors and processing systems | list error: <br /> list (help) • Radar:[7] Unryū and Amagi as built 2 × Type 21 radars (top of island and flight deck) 1 × Type 13 radar (mast) Katsuragi as built 2 × Type 21 radars (top of island and flight deck) 2 × Type 13 radars (mast and radio antenna) Amagi and Katsuragi in 1945 1 × Type 21 radar (flight deck) 1 × Type 22 radar (top of island) 1 × Type 13 radar (mast) • Sonar and hydrophone:[8][9] Amagi Type 93 hydrophone Type 3 active sonar all others Type 0 hydrophone Type 3 active sonar |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) 12 (6 × 2) 127 mm Type 89 AA guns 93 (21 × 3 and 30 × 1)[9] Type 96 25 mm AA guns 30 depth charges[9] Unryū and Amagi 168 (6 × 28[10]) 4.7 inch AA rockets Kasagi 120 (4[9] × 30[10]) 4.7 inch AA rockets all others 180 (6 × 30[10]) 4.7 inch AA rockets |
| Armor | list error: <br /> list (help) [3] Deck: 25 mm (0.98 in) Belt: Katsuragi and Aso 50 mm (2.0 in) all others 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aircraft carried | list error: <br /> list (help) • Plan in 1942:[3][4][5] Unryū-class 12 + 3 Mitsubishi A6M 27 + 3 Aichi D3A 18 + 2 Nakajima B5N Ikoma-class 18 + 1 Mitsubishi A6M 27 Aichi D3A 27 Nakajima B5N • Plan in 1944: 18 + 2 Mitsubishi A7M 27 Aichi B7A 6 Nakajima C6N |
| Aviation facilities | list error: <br /> list (help) flight deck bilayer hangar two elevators 3 × Type 3 crash barrier 4 × 3 wires Type 3 arresting gear |
The Unryū class aircraft carriers (雲龍型航空母艦, Unryū-gata Kōkūbokan) were World War II Japanese aircraft carriers. 16 carriers were planned under the Maru Kyū Programme (Ship #302 in 1941) and the Kai-Maru 5 Programme (#5001–5015 in 1942). However, only 3 carriers were completed.
Design
In the lead-up to the Pacific War the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) attempted to build a large number of fleet carriers. So that they could be built quickly, the design for these ships was based on that of the aircraft carrier Hiryū rather than the newer and more sophisticated Taihō or the Shōkaku class.[11]
The Unryū class aircraft carrier design was very similar to that of Hiryū. The ships were lightly built, and the main difference from Hiryū was that the carriers' island was placed on the starboard side of the ships. The carriers were capable of carrying 63 aircraft in two hangers, and were fitted with two elevators. The Unryū class carried a smaller quantity of aviation fuel than Hiryū and the fuel tanks were protected by concrete. The ships' were to be fitted with the same propulsion system as had been used in the aircraft carrier Sōryū and were capable of reaching 34 knots (63 km/h), though Katsuragi was instead fitted with two turbines of the same type as were used in destroyers and had a maximum speed of 33 knots (61 km/h).[11] The carriers also had a similar armament to that fitted on Hiryū[11] and were equipped with two Type 21 radars and two Type 13 radars.[12]
Construction
The first three Unryū class aircraft carriers were laid down in 1942 and construction of a further three began the next year. In the event, only three (Unryū, Amagi, and Katsuragi) were completed and construction of the other three carriers (Kasagi, Aso and Ikoma) was abandoned in 1945.[11]
Ships in classes
Unryū class
Project number was G16. General production model of the Unryū-class. 3 carriers were completed. The IJN unofficial designation for Unryū and Amagi were Modified Hiryū-class (改飛龍型, Kai Hiryū-gata),[13] Ship Number 5002–5006 were Modified Unryū-class (改雲龍型, Kai Unryū-gata)[14] also.
- Amagi and Kasagi (built by Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Shipyard) were equipped with surplus stock of the Ibuki-class cruiser machinery.[6]
- Katsuragi and Aso (built by Kure Naval Arsenal) were equipped with two sets of the Kagerō-class destroyer machinery,[6][10] because Japanese industry power became scarce. Dead space was replaced to fuel tanks.[14]
- Ship Number 5002 and 5005 (built by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal) were used Shinano's dock and was going to build 2 carriers at the same time, however, they were cancelled because Shinano was continued.[14][15]
| Ship # | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| 302 | Unryū (雲龍) | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal | 1 August 1942 | 25 September 1943 | 6 August 1944 | Sunk by USS Redfish at East China Sea 32°10′N 135°58′E / 32.167°N 135.967°E on 19 December 1944. Struck on 20 February 1945. |
| 5001 | Amagi (天城) | Mitsubishi-Nagasaki Shipyard | 1 October 1942 | 15 October 1943 | 10 August 1944 | Sunk by air raid at Kure on 28 July 1945. Struck on 30 November 1945. Salvaged and scrapped between 5 December 1946–12 November 1947. |
| 5002 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal | Cancelled in 1943. Naval budget and the materials were used for Shinano. | ||||
| 5003 | Katsuragi (葛城) | Kure Naval Arsenal | 8 December 1942 | 19 January 1944 | 15 October 1944 | Survived war. Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Scrapped between 22 December 1946–30 November 1947. |
| 5004 | Kasagi (笠置) | Mitsubishi-Nagasaki Shipyard | 14 April 1943 | 19 October 1944 | (June 1945)[16] | 84% complete. Construction stopped on 1 April 1945. Scrapped between 1 September 1946–31 December 1947. |
| 5005 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal | Cancelled in 1943. Naval budget and the materials were used for Shinano. | ||||
| 5006 | Aso (阿蘇) | Kure Naval Arsenal | 8 June 1943 | 1 November 1944 | (September 1945)[16] | 60% complete. Construction stopped on 9 November 1944. Sunk as target off Kurahashi-Jima in July 1945. Salvaged and scrapped between 21 December 1946–26 April 1947. |
Ikoma class
Simplified and sped-up construction model of the Unryū-class. They fitted shift-arrangement machinery (four sets of parallel two boilers and one turbine).[6][17] Therefore, as for their chimneys, those space intended to spread out.[17] The IJN unofficial designation for this class was Modified Ship Number 302-class (改第302号艦型, Kai Dai 302-Gōkan-gata).[5][16]
| Ship # | Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| 5007 | Ikoma (生駒) | Kawasaki-Kobe Shipyard | 5 July 1943 | 17 November 1944 | (October 1945)[16] | 60% complete. Construction stopped on 9 November 1944. Scrapped between 4 July 1946–10 March 1947. |
| 5008 | Kurama (鞍馬)[18] or Kaimon (開聞)[19] |
Mitsubishi-Nagasaki Shipyard[16] | (November 1943)[16] | (December 1945)[16] | Cancelled on 5 May 1944.[20] | |
| 5009 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal[16] | (July 1943)[16] | (March 1946)[16] | Cancelled on 11 August 1943.[21] | ||
| 5010 | Mitsubishi-Nagasaki Shipyard[16] | (April 1944)[16] | (June 1946)[16] | |||
| 5011 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal[16] | (June 1944)[16] | (September 1946)[16] | |||
| 5012 | Kure Naval Arsenal[16] | (June 1944)[16] | (September 1946)[16] | |||
| 5013 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal[16] | (June 1944)[16] | (March 1947)[16] | |||
| 5014 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal[16] | (October 1944)[16] | (September 1947)[16] | |||
| 5015 | Yokosuka Naval Arsenal[16] | (January 1945)[16] | (March 1948)[16] |
Photos
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Kasagi on 2 November 1945 -
Katsuragi and Kaiyo (above) under attack on 19 March 1945 -
Amagi in August 1946 -
Katsuragi as repatriation transport on 31 January 1946
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Footnotes
- ^ Senshi Sōsho Vol.31 (1969), p.815
- ^ Senshi Sōsho Vol.88 (1975), p.37
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Ships of the World (1994), p.66
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Shizuo Fukui, p.442–445
- ^ a b Rekishi Gunzo, p.105
- ^ a b c d The Maru Special (1981), p.55
- ^ The Maru Special (1981), p.17–19, p.54–55 and p.84–87
- ^ Ships of the World (1994), p.177
- ^ a b c d Japan Center for Asian Historical Records, p.3
- ^ a b c d Shizuo Fukui, p.276
- ^ a b c d Stille (2005), p. 37
- ^ Stille (2005), p. 38
- ^ Shizuo Fukui, p.273
- ^ a b c Shizuo Fukui, p.274
- ^ Shizuo Fukui, p.331
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab Senshi Sōsho Vol.88 (1975), p.18
- ^ a b Shizuo Fukui, p.275
- ^ The Maru Special (1979), p.38
- ^ Daiji Katagiri, p.83–84
- ^ Senshi Sōsho Vol.88 (1975), p.95
- ^ Senshi Sōsho Vol.88 (1975), p.71–74
References
- "Unryu class". Combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 5 February 2008.
- Lengerer, Hans (2010). Illustrated Record of the Transition of the Superstructures of BB Kongô Class: Introduction to CV Unryû Class. Katowice, Poland: Model Hobby. ISBN 978-83-60041-42-0.
- Stille, Mark (2005). Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Carriers, 1921 - 45. New Vanguard. Oxford: Osprey. ISBN 1-84176-853-7.
- Worth, Richard (2001). Fleets of World War II. Da Capo Press. ISBN 0-306-81116-2.
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - Shizuo Fukui, "Stories of Japanese aircraft carriers", Kōjinsha (Japan) August 1996, ISBN 4-7698-0655-8
- "Rekishi Gunzō". History of Pacific War Extra, "Perfect guide, The aircraft carriers of the Imperial Japanese Navy & Army", Gakken (Japan), April 2003, ISBN 4-05-603055-3
- Daiji Katagiri, Ship Name Chronicles of the Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet, Kōjinsha (Japan), June 1988, ISBN 4-7698-0386-9
- "Japan Center for Asian Historical Records"., National Archives of Japan, "List of main points and features of surface vessels under construction", Reference code: A03032074600
- Monthly Ships of the World, "Kaijinsha". (Japan)
- No. 481, Special issue, "History of Japanese Aircraft Carriers", May 1994
- No. 736, Special issue, "History of Japanese Aircraft Carriers" (New edition), January 2011
- The Maru Special, Ushio Shobo (Japan)
- Warship Mechanism Vol. 3, "Mechanisms of Japanese 29 Aircraft Carriers", August 1981
- Japanese Naval Vessels No. 23, "Japanese aircraft carriers I", January 1979
- Senshi Sōsho, Asagumo Simbun (Japan)
- Vol. 31, Naval armaments and war preparation (1), "Until November 1941", November 1969
- Vol. 88, Naval armaments and war preparation (2), "And after the outbreak of war", October 1975
External links
Media related to Unryū class aircraft carrier at Wikimedia Commons
- Andrew Toppan (2000). "World Aircraft Carriers List: Japanese Aircraft Carriers". Hazegray.org. Retrieved 5 February 2008.