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1/200 WWII IJN AIRCRAFT CARRIER SHINANO

 

This Shinano was built from a kit of materials comprising fiber glass, photoetched, resin, metal and plastic.

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The then Imperial Japanese Navy considered Shinano being the most top secret weapon alongside Yamato and Musahi without leaving any significant references behind, from which a room was ironically open for modelers of today to research, explore and 'create' the details.

 IJN Aircraft Carrier Shinano
WWII Imperial Japanese Navy
WWII Imperial Japanese Aircraft carrier
Japan Flag

Shinano and the Navy she served...

The IJN Shinano, initially a battleship of Yamato Class converted to an aircraft carrier after the loss of four aircraft carriers in the Battle of Midway in 1942, was sunk by the USS submarine Archerfish on its maiden voyage in 1944.  Despite being a massive and powerful warship, Shinano succumbed to four torpedo strikes on account of inexperienced handling and incomplete watertight compartments.

Displacement: 65,800 t (64,800 long tons) (standard)

Length: 265.8 m (872 ft 2 in) 

Beam: 36.3 m (119 ft 1 in)

Draught: 10.3 m (33 ft 10 in)

Installed power:

Propulsion: 4 × shafts; 4 × geared steam turbines

Speed: 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph)

Range: 10,000 nmi (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)

Complement: 2,400

Armament

Armor

Aircraft carried: 47

Imperial Japanese Navy Aircraft Carriers In Operation Footage
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Imperial Japanese Navy March & Footage
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The only photo illustrates IJN Aircraft Carrier Shinano in Sea Trials with Camouflage

This photograph of Shinano was taken during her sea trials in Tokyo Bay on November 11, 1944, by a civilian aboard a tug.  Only one print of the picture was retained.   Camouflage is clearly seen on starboard side to confuse American submarines.

Believed to be the only clear picture of it left

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From naval_encyclopedia.com

 Aerial Photo of IJN Aircraft Carrier Shinano in Tokyo Bay

Shinano in dry dock of Yokosuka Port at Tokyo Bay

(white arrow)

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From Destination's Journey

Enlarged Aerial Photo of IJN Aircraft Carrier Shinano in Tokyo Bay in November 1944

Shinano after launch at same port (at the top right corner of the photo)

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From naval_encyclopedia.com

Enlarged Aerial Photo of IJN Aircraft Carrier Shinano in Tokyo Bay in November 1944

The close-up photo taken by a recce B29 .  Ten days after commissioning, on November 29 1944, she was torpedoed and sunk by U.S. submarine, Archerfish, en route to Kure naval base for complete fitting out.

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From naval_encyclopedia.com

The Flooding after IJN Aircraft Carrier Shinano torpedoed by U.S. Submarine

This illustrates the locations of torpedo hits and the subsequent flooding areas.  Red indicates compartments immediately flooded, Orange slowly flooded, and Yellow deliberate flooding to offset the ship's list, but in vain.

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From naval_encyclopedia.com

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The Building the ship on a desk

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