Japanese Dreadnoughts
Entries in bold indicate photos.
Kawachi Class
|
Kawachi Settsu |
The first Japanese dreadnoughts were built in Japan with many parts imported from Britain. Two different calibres of 12" gun were used, making fire control difficult. |
Fuso Class
|
Fuso Yamashiro |
The Fusos were faster and more heavily armed than most foreign battleships, but they were also more lightly armoured. In the 1930s, they were both extensively rebuilt. After the battle of Midway, it was proposed to turn both ships into hybrid carriers, but this never happened. |
Ise Class
|
Hyuga Ise |
The Ises were developments on the Fusos, mounting the same guns, but in a better layout. As with the Fusos, they were reconstructed. Both were converted to hybrid carriers in 1943. |
Nagato Class
|
Mutsu Nagato |
The first Japanese battleships to mount 16" guns were also faster and better protected than most of their contemporaries. Both were rebuilt in the 1930s, introducing the pagoda mast, torpedo bulges and a triple bottom. |
Tosa Class
|
Kaga Tosa |
The Tosas were based on the Nagatos, but with an extra 2 16" guns and greater engine power. Both becamse victims of the Washington treaty, one being converted into an aircraft carrier, the other expended in tests. |
Yamato Class
|
Musashi Shinano Yamato '111' |
The Yamatos were the ultimate in battleship design. Built in great secrecy, they
mounted the largest guns to go to sea. To meet the increasing threat from the air,
massive antiaircraft armament was fitted, but in the end, it could not stand up
to massed air attack.
Three more Yamatos, numbered 797, 798 and 799 were cancelled before construction began. |
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