Hosho as completed 1922.
IJN Hosho (CVL-1924)
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Hōshō
("phoenix flying") was the world's first commissioned ship that was built
as an aircraft carrier and the first aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese
Navy (IJN). Commissioned in 1922, the ship was used for testing carrier aircraft
operations equipment, techniques, such as take-offs and landings, and carrier
aircraft operational methods and tactics. The ship provided valuable lessons and
experience for the IJN in early carrier air operations. Hōshō's superstructure and
other obstructions to the flight deck were removed in 1924 on the advice of
experienced aircrews.
Hosho as completed 1922.
Hōshō and her aircraft group participated in the Shanghai Incident in 1932 and in the opening stages of the Sino-Japanese War in late 1937. During those two conflicts, the carrier's aircraft supported Imperial Japanese Army ground operations and engaged in aerial combat with aircraft of the Nationalist Chinese Air Force. The small size of the ship and her assigned air groups (usually around 15 aircraft) limited the effectiveness of her contributions to combat operations. As a result, the carrier was placed in reserve after her return to Japan from China and she became a training ship in 1939.
During World War II, Hōshō participated in the Battle of Midway in June 1942 in a secondary role. After the battle, the carrier resumed her training role in Japanese home waters for the duration of the conflict and survived the war with only minor damage from air attacks. She was surrendered to the Allies at the end of the war and used to repatriate Japanese troops until she was scrapped in 1946.
I have left Hosho in its real life condition. Hosho is too small to do more than
be an escort carrier, and its most useful role was as a training carrier for
aircrews. The drawing above is from 1939 when Hosho has been rebuilt to make the
after deck wider for easier landing on in its training role.
| Displacement | 7,500 tons std, 9,550 tons full load |
| Length | 552 feet |
| Breadth | 59 ft |
| Draught | 20 ft |
| Machinery | 2 shaft Steam turbines, 30,000shp |
| Speed | 25 knots |
| Range | 8,500 miles at 12 knots |
| Armour | unarmoured |
| Armament | 4 x 5.5" (4x1) 6 x 25mm (6x1) |
| Aircraft | 15 max |
| Complement | 510 |
| Notes | IJN Hosho |
Hosho 1937 operating in support of the Army in China.
