Hey there folks!
As Fujimi has released a lot of these IJN oilers that were the backbone of the IJNs carrier fleet, I thought that I should open a thread on them
I'm currently working on 4 ships of this type (Itsukushima, Kyokuto, Tatekawa, Nichiei Marus) and I find it a little sad that none of the kits is in a late-war fit. They are all grey and the armament only consists of 1-2x 120mm guns (bow/stern). As most of these important ships were afloat until 1944-45, there must have been armament upgrades or the addition of camouflage. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any plans or pictures, that show these changes.
Iwashige's site shows all ships in their 1941 fit, except for the Toa Maru (1943; added 25mm twin AA on lower bridge level). HP Models "Itsukushima Maru" (1944) seems to have a single 25mm in this position. The TROMs on combined fleet didn't mention any AA upgrades.
Wikipedia tells me:
Shinkoku Maru, 1941
• 2 × 150 mm (5.9 in) naval guns
• 2 × 76.2 mm (3.00 in) AA guns
• 2 × 7.7 mm machine guns
Gen'yo Maru, 1941
• 2 × 76.2 mm (3.00 in) AA guns
• 2 × Type 96 25 mm AA guns
Itsukushima Maru, 1944
• 1 × 120 mm (4.7 in) naval gun
• 16 × Type 96 25 mm AA guns
• 18 × depth charges
• 1 × Type 93 hydrophone
Kyokutō Maru, 1944
• 2 × 120 mm (4.7 in) AA guns
• 16 × Type 96 25 mm AA guns
Nichiei Maru, 1944
• 2 × 120 mm (4.7 in) AA guns
• 16 × Type 96 25 mm AA guns
• 12 × depth charges
• 1 × Type 93 hydrophone
Can anyone help me finding info on the armament of the oilers later in the war? Where were the AA guns placed?
And did any of the 17 ships receive the green camouflage??
Thank's in advance for your help!