Taiyō class escort aircraft carriers

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Taiyō class Escort aircraft carrier
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Class Overview
Type: Escort aircraft carrier
Name: Taiyō
Number of ships: 3
General characteristics
Displacement: 17,830 tons standard
19,500 tons max.
Length: 173.7 m waterline
180.4 m overall
Beam: 22.5 m
Draught: 7.74 m (Taiyō: 8.0 m)
Propulsion: 4 Kampon water-tube boilers
2 Kampon geared steam turbines
25,200 shp (18,522 kW)
2 shafts, 1 rudder
Speed: 21 knots
Range: 6,500 nmi. (12,000 km) at 18 knots
Other sources: 8,500 nmi.
Protection: 25 mm side belt over machinery spaces and magazines
Complement: 850 (Taiyō: 747)
Armament: see individual ships for details
Aircraft: 23-27

The Taiyō class was a three-strong class of escort carriers operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War Two.

[edit] Overview

These ships were ocean liners built by the shipping line Nippon Yusen, requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to escort carriers. They were usually employed as air-crew training ships and aircraft transports. None of them survived the war, all were sunk by submarines.

[edit] Taiyō Class Ships

  Laid down Launched Commissioned (as carrier) Destroyed
Taiyō   6 Jan 1940   19 Sep 1940   2 Sep 1941   18 Aug 1944
Chuyo   9 May 1938   20 May 1939   25 Nov 1942   4 Dec 1943
Unyo   14 Dec 1938   31 Oct 1939   31 May 1942   17 Sep 1944


[edit] Notes and references

  • Dr. Bak József et al (1984): Hadihajók. Típuskönyv.

Zrínyi Katonai Kiadó. ISBN 963-326-326-3