![]() ![]() Certainly, these hybrid battleships have captured the interest of modelers as they are unique and odd, and have been favorite, but complicated, subjects for modelers for many years. Ise was sunk in harbor in shallow water at Kure in late July 1945 by US carrier aircraft, and broken up at Harima in 1946. It would take 30 minutes to launch all aircraft in theory, but reality forced designers to substitute Aichi E16A Zui-un (Paul) attack floatplanes for some of the Judys. ![]() Ise and Hyuga were originally intended to operate 22 Yokosuka D4Y Suisei (Judy) dive bombers with wheels (not floats). The aircraft deck had an 8 inch layer of concrete to replace the ballast lost from the 14 inch turrets. ![]() Ise's conversion was finished in October 1943 at Kure (hence the need for Kure Gray paint). Two large catapults were installed, a very slow and inefficient method of launching multiple planes. So the Ise and Hyuga were refitted in 1943 with a short aircraft handling deck over the quarterdeck over a hangar with a T-shaped lift. The Ises were chosen over the older Fusos because Hyuga lost X turret to an explosion in May 1942, and the X and Y turrets of this class were unable to be modified with higher elevations, and thus, the slightly newer Ises were considered inferior to the Fusos in a long-range gun battle. The new battleship Shinano was converted into a carrier, but because of time and scarcity of labor and materials, only the Ise and sister ship Hyuga were refitted as quasi-carriers (BBCVs), with a minimum of effort. The Nagatos were not modified since their 16 inch armament was needed in case of a big-gun engagement. The Kongos were not modified because their 30+ knot speed made them the only big-gun escorts for carriers. A complete conversion, removing all guns and installing full length flight decks and hangars, was planned, but never carried out. After the disastrous loss of carriers at Midway in June, 1942, all ten older IJN battleships were considered for conversion into carrier hybrids in order to quickly bring planes to sea. ![]() The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) Ise was completed on Decemas a super-dreadnought, built at Kobe's Kawasaki yards. Kit Supplied by Dragon Models USA: The Ship 1/700 IJN Ise High Grade Full Hull Special ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |