Calling all Imperial Japanese Army Aircraft Carrier fans

[DougKn]

Saw on the other site that a book about "Imperial Japanese Army Aircraft Carriers" is now available from Lela Presse via HLJ or your favorite Japanese Bookstore site. It contains info about Shinshu, Akitsu, Kumano, Shimane and Yamashiro Marus. The book is reported to contain 1/700 drawings and pictures. I haven't got my copy yet, but it sounds good. It is written in Japanese.

[Timmy C]

I think this is the book in question: http://www.hlj.com/product/MDG23052

[Dan K]

I have it. It's a companion piece to their recently released IJN CV volume. It's all in Japanese but appears very thorough. Clearly the single most comprehensive volume available on a little known and referenced subject.

[herrmill]

Here's something you don't see everyday that is featured in this month's issue of Model Boat: the old Doyusha 1:250 Shinano converted to RC with a steam plant.

[Hen]

I have a question regarding the Shimane Maru. What kind of heavy AA was used on the ship??
Navypedia states that 2 x 1 - 120/45 10-shiki were onboard. I've seen only plans and sketches of the ship with these "escort ship-style" single turrets (same kind as the Ukuru, Hei, Tei) but my kit instructions show both shielded and unshielded guns that look more like the old 12cm on oilers etc.!?

I only found a handful of photos showing the carrier during and after the air raid that crippled her in July 45, but i can't tell what guns the ship had. Maybe there's an answer in the book you guys mentioned.

[tom!]

Hi.

There are only few pics available on IJA carriers:

Akitsu Maru after 1944:











Kumano Maru:



Are there any pics of Akitsu Maru prior to refit 1944 or the sister ship Nigitsu Maru (finished without flight deck following wikipedia Japan)?

Yours

tom!

[Dan K]

The only photo I know of Akitsu Maru in her original configuration is the overhead reconnaissance photo below. AFAIK, there are no photos of Nigitsu Maru.

[reigels]

Can anyone confirm that the autogyro flight footage here is actually operating from Akitsu Maru? A few brief glimpses including the sandbag protection around some AA mounts.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EFt7cLCRSY

[Dan K]

Certainly starting at the 5:12 mark, with one landing aboard at 6:14 and to the end of the clip.

[Harpy]

Would the Akitsu Maru likely have had degaussing cables after her final refit? It does not look like it in the picture, but seems like most IJN big ships had especially later in the war. Also, would the Fight Deck have been painted a IJN Grey?



Some drawings of Akitsu Maru:

Akitsu 1 by

Akitsu 2 by

[Dan K]

I doubt she would have had the degaussing cable. The post refit 1944 photo in the post above is clear enough to see no evidence of a cable, IMHO.

I think I have that magazine volume.

[Harpy]

I am building the Akitsu Maru after 44 refit. I was wondering if there were any opinions on the color of the IJA 7.5cm AA guns. The AA platform on the over head shot looks like it is devoid of armament altogether (maybe just after the refit?). If they came out of the factory would they have bothered to repaint once installed one the ship?

Thanks,
Jim

[Mike W]

Is there any suitable etch sets for the Aoshima 1/700 Akitsu Maru?

thanks
Mike

[Dan K]

Nothing sold separately, but there was a Super Detail version of the kit: https://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10365840