Shinano

[androck14]

The Sinking of Japan’s Secret Supership
Written by Captain Enright, commandeered of Archer-Fish the American sub that sank The largest Japanese warship, sister to Musashi and Yamato, converted to a 70,000 ton aircraft carrier
Good read, a story I’d never heard of. Picked up the book in a thrift store in Poncha Springs CO while on a road trip a couple of weeks ago
Highly recommended

[Art]

Shinano was an interesting ship. Actually designed as a combination aircraft carrier (her designed air wing was only 47 aircraft) and fast fleet resupply ship and launched after there was no longer an effective Japanese fleet air arm for her to operate. By the time she was built the remaining Japanese carriers were being re purposed as fast transports.

It has been argued that the Japanese could have re designed the Agano class light cruisers as light carriers. That might have been more successful since they would have been available earlier.