Japanese Aircraft Carrier Hosho “Phoenix in Flight”
Aircraft carrier Hosho: The first Aircraft Carrier in the Navy History
The aircraft carrier Hosho has a special place in the history because it was the first commissioned vessel that was entirely planned and constructed as an aircraft carrier. in addition, it was the first aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). First, after commissioned in 1922, the Hosho participated in training carrier aircraft operations. essentially, most of the experience of the IJN in carrier operations came from the experiences done in the Hosho. By following aircrews suggestions, the superstructure was removed to facilitate flight deck operations in 1924.
Pre-war Period
The aircraft carrier Hosho, before the Second World War was involved in several major operations. The air group of Hosho participated in the response to the Shanghai Incident in 1932. Later, she also joined operations in the Sino-Japanese War in late 1937. in both conflicts the role of the Hosho was to support ground operations and obtain air superiority against Nationalist Chinese Air Force. Because the Air Group of the Hosho was not large (only 15 planes), the effectiveness of these goals could not be so high. After theses combat experiences, the Hosho took a secondary role and was assigned to training duties from 1939.
Pacific War
Although still in a secondary role, she also participated in crucial battles during World War II such as the Battle of Midway in June 1942. After that battle, she was back to homeland and continue training new aircrews. She could survive the war with minor aerial attacks and was actively used to repatriate survivors of sunk ships, Japanese soldiers and civilians from continental Asia, China, and other locations. For example, in October and November 1945, escorted by the cruiser Kashima, Hosho could transport 700 persons from Wotje Atoll, 311 from Jaluit Atoll, and an unknown number from Enewetak Atoll to Uraga, Kanagawa. In total,the small vessel did more than nine repatriation trips before 15 August 1946. A total of 40,000 persons were transported. She was finally scrapped in 1946 due to her obsolescence.
Aircraft Carrier Hosho Carrier Air wings and physical details
The physical details of the Hosho consisted of an overall length of 168.25 meters (552 ft 0 in). The beam had 17.98 meters (59 ft 0 in) and a meandraft of 6.17 meters (20 ft 3 in). The displacement had 7,470 long tons (7,590 t) at standard load, and 9,494 long tons (9,646 t) at normal load. Her crew consisted of 512 officers and men.[5] and did not have any relevant weapons beside the air group.
The Hosho had a normal capacity of fifteen aircraft. Basically, she was very limited due to the size of the hangars. The first commissioned air group consisted of nine Mitsubishi 1MF (Type 10) fighters and three to six Mitsubishi B1M3 (Type 13) torpedo bombers. Later, in 1928, these planes were substituted by the the A1N1 (Type 3). in 1931, the air group was composed of Nakajima A2N (Type 90) fighters and Mitsubishi B2M (Type 89) torpedo bombers. In 1938 Nakajima A4N (Type 95) fighters and Yokosuka B3Y (Type 92) bombers could take-off from the ship. New improvements were done in 1940 to adapt the ship to modern planes such as Mitsubishi A5M (Type 96) “Claude” fighters and Yokosuka B4Y1 (Type 96) “Jean” bombers.
Technical Specifications
Type: | Light Aircraft carrier |
Displacement: |
|
Length: | 168.25 m (552 ft 0 in) |
Beam: | 17.98 m (59 ft 0 in) |
Draught: | 6.17 m (20 ft 3 in) (mean) |
Installed power: |
|
Propulsion: |
|
Speed: | 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) |
Range: | 8,680 nmi (16,080 km; 9,990 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
Complement: | 512 |
Armament: |
|
Aircraft carried: | 15 |
- Hōshō at Kure, Japan, in October 1945 shortly before departing on a repatriation mission
- Japanese aircraft carrier Hōshō in Tokyo Bay
- Hōshō in 1924 after her island was removed
- Hiryū on 5 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway, photographed from a Hōshō aircraft
- Hōshō (foreground) with Kaga (left background) around the time of the Sino-Japanese War
- A view of the underside of Hōshō’s narrow flight deck looking from the forecastle forward. Photographed in October 1945.
- Hōshō with her extended and widened flight deck, photographed in October 1945
- Hōshō in port in Japan in June 1942 upon its return from Midway
- Carrier Hosho performs air operations around the time of the Shanghai incident.
▽ Imperial Japanese Navy – Nihon Kaigun
Nihon Kaigun organization
The structure and history of the
Imperial Japanese Navy
Aircraft Carriers
The battle and light aircraft carriers
of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Battleships
The Battleships and Battlecruisers of
the Imperial Japanese Navy
Heavy Cruisers
The heavy cruisers of the
Imperial Japanese Navy
Light Cruisers
The light cruisers
of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Destroyers
The destroyers squadrons of the
Imperial Japanese Navy
Submarines
The submarines fleet
of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Auxiliary Ships
The training, hospital, and other
auxiliary ships in the IJN
The TimeLine of ships
The design and operations
timeline records of the IJN warships
Naval Air Groups
The Land-Based Japanese
Navy Air-Groups
Naval Landing Forces 1928-1945
Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces (SNLF),
Landing Forces (SNLF) 海軍特別陸戦隊
Secret Weapons of the IJN
The secret weapons and teachnologies
of the Imperial Japanese Navy
Strategic Plans of the IJN
The strategic doctrines and
plans of the IJN
▽ Simulations & Wargames
▽ World War II: Pacific Theater
War in the Pacific: Admiral Edition
A computer-based simulation of
the entire Pacific War with incredible detail.
The Empire of the Sun (2nd Ed.)
An strategy boardgame for the
Pacific War with solitaire playability.
Pacific War
A fantastic monster game for the
Pacific War with many scenarios.
Pacific War (2nd Ed.)
The 2nd Edition of the masterpiece
Pacific War game is coming soon!
▽Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF)
The organization of the JMSDF
The units and structure of
the Modern Japanese Navy (JMSDF)
The Regional District Forces
The locations and bases of the
five regional districts of the JMSDF
Helicopter Destroyers DDH
The modern helicopter destroyers
of the Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force
Guided Missile destroyers DDG
The advanced guided missile destroyers
of the Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force
Destroyers DD
The destroyers of the
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force
Tank Landing Ships LST
The tank lading ships of the
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force
Submarines SS
The submarine fleet of the
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force
Support and Auxiliary ships
Patrol and other support ships of the
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defence Force
The aviation of the JMSDF
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force aircrafts
and helicopter fleet
Naval landing forces of the JMSDF
The naval forces for landings
of the JMSDF
Future projects of the JMSDF
New coming units and future
developments of the JMSDF
The strategy of the JMSDF
The current doctrine and
strategy of the JMSDF
News & manoeuvres
News and military
exercises of the JMSDF
▽ Simulations & Wargames
▽ World War II: European Theater
Unconditional Surrender
A boardgame with innovative mechanics
for the entire World War II in European Front.
The Supreme commander
A strategic game at corps/army level
for the World war II in Europe.