Submarines | Japan
Submarine "I-1"
A series of ocean patrol submarines of the Junsen-1 type consisted of 4 units (“I-1” - “I-4”), built at the Kawasaki shipyard and commissioned in 1926-1929. All boats were lost in 1942-1944. Boat performance characteristics: standard surface displacement – 2 thousand tons, full displacement – 2.1 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 2.8 thousand tons; length – 94 m, width – 9.2 m; draft – 5 m; immersion depth – 80 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 6/2.6 thousand hp speed – 18 knots; cruising range - 24 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 175 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 92 people. Armament: 2x1 – 140 mm gun; 2x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 20 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-5"
The underwater patrol ocean boat “I-5” of the “Junsen-1m” type was built at the Kawasaki shipyard and commissioned in 1932. The boat was lost in 1944. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.1 thousand tons. full – 2.2 thousand tons, underwater – 2.9 thousand tons; length – 94 m, width – 9.1 m; draft – 5 m; immersion depth – 80 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 6/2.6 thousand hp speed – 18 knots; cruising range - 24 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 160 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 93 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 2x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 20 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-6"
The underwater ocean patrol boat “I-6” of the “Junsen-2” type was built at the Kawasaki shipyard and commissioned in 1935. The boat was lost in 1944. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.9 thousand tons. full – 2.2 thousand tons, underwater – 3.1 thousand tons; length – 92 m, width – 9.1 m; draft – 5.3 m; immersion depth – 80 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 8/2.6 thousand hp speed – 20 knots; cruising range - 20 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 190 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 97 people. Armament: 1x1 – 127 mm gun; 1x1 – 13.2 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 17 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-8"
Ocean patrol submarines “I-7” and “I-8” of the “Junsen-3” type were built at the Kure KK and Kawasaki shipyards and commissioned in 1937-1938. The boats were lost in 1943 and 1945. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.2 thousand tons, full - 2.5 thousand tons, underwater - 3.5 thousand tons; length – 103 m, width – 9.1 m; draft – 5.3 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 11.2/2.8 thousand hp speed – 23 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 230 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 100 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 1x1 and 2x1– 13.2 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 21 torpedoes.
Submarine "44-go" (I-51)
The ocean-going submarine I-51 of the Kaidai type was built as a test submarine at the Kure KK shipyard and commissioned in 1924. In 1930-1939. was used as a training one. The boat died in 1941. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.5 thousand tons, underwater - 2.4 thousand tons; length – 87 m, width – 8.8 m; draft – 4.6 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 5.2/2 thousand hp speed – 20 knots; cruising range - 20 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 160 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 60 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 8 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 24 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-52"
The ocean-going submarine "I-52" of the "Kaidai-2" type was built as a test submarine at the Kure KK shipyard and commissioned in 1925. In 1940-1942. was used as a training one. In 1945, the boat surrendered to Great Britain, decommissioned in 1948. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.4 thousand tons, full - 1.5 thousand tons, underwater - 2.5 thousand tons; length – 94.6 m, width – 7.6 m; draft – 5.1 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 6.8/2 thousand hp speed – 22 knots; cruising range - 10 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 110 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 60 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 8 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 24 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-53"
Submarine "I-58"
Submarine "I-55"
The series of ocean-going submarines of the Kaidai-3a type consisted of 4 units (I-53, I-54, I-55, I-58), built at the Kure KK and Sasebo shipyards KK", "Yokohama KK" and commissioned in 1927-1928. All boats capitulated to Great Britain in 1945 and were decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.6 thousand tons, full - 1.8 thousand tons, underwater - 2.3 thousand tons; length – 94.6 m, width – 8 m; draft – 4.8 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power 6.8/1.8 thousand hp speed – 22 knots; cruising range - 10 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 190 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 64 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 8 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 16 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-59"
The Oken series of submarines of the "Kaidai-3b" type consisted of 4 units ("I-56", "I-57", "I-59", "I-60"), built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Sasebo" KK", "Yokohama KK" and commissioned in 1929-1930. The boat “I-60” died in 1942, the rest were decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.6 thousand tons, full - 1.8 thousand tons, underwater - 2.3 thousand . T.; length – 94.6 m, width – 7.9 m; draft - 4.9 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 6.8/1.8 thousand hp. speed – 20 knots; cruising range - 10 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 190 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 79 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 8 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 16 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-64"
The Oken series of submarines of the "Kaidai-4" type consisted of 3 units ("I-61", "I-62", "I-64"), built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Mitsubishi" and commissioned in 1929-1930 Boats “I-61” and “I-64”) were lost in 1941-1942, “I-62” were decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.6 thousand tons, full - 1.7 thousand tons, underwater – 2.3 thousand tons; length – 91 m, width – 7.8 m; draft – 4.8 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 6/1.8 thousand hp. speed – 20 knots; cruising range - 10.8 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 190 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 58 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 14 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-65"
The Oken series of submarines of the "Kaidai-5" type consisted of 3 units ("I-65", "I-66", "I-67"), built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Sasebo KK", "Mitsubishi" and commissioned in 1932. All boats were lost in 1940-1945. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement – 1.6 thousand tons, full displacement – 1.7 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 2.3 thousand tons; length – 90.5 m, width – 8.2 m; draft – 4.7 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 6/1.8 thousand hp. speed - 20.5 knots; cruising range - 10.8 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 190 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 75 people. Armament: 1x1 – 100 mm gun; 1x1 – 13.2 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 14 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-68"
Submarine "I-70"
The series of ocean-going submarines of the "Kaidai-6a" type consisted of 6 units ("I-68" - "I-73"), built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Sasebo KK", "Mitsubishi", "Kawasaki" and commissioned in 1934-1937. All boats were lost in 1941-1944. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement – 1.4 thousand tons, full displacement – 1.8 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 2.4 thousand tons; length – 98.4 m, width – 8.2 m; draft – 4.6 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 9/1.8 thousand hp. speed – 23 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 230 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 84 people. Armament: 1x1 – 100 mm or 120 mm gun; 1x1 – 13.2 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 14 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-75"
Ocean-going submarines “I-74” and “I-75” of the “Kaidai-6b” type were built at the shipyards “Sasebo K”, “Mitsubishi” and commissioned in 1938. Both boats died in 1944. Performance characteristics of the boat: displacement surface standard – 1.4 thousand tons, full – 1.8 thousand tons, underwater – 2.7 thousand tons; length – 98.4 m, width – 8.2 m; draft – 4.6 m; immersion depth – 80 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 9/1.8 thousand hp. speed – 23 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 230 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 84 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 1x2 – 13.2 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 14 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-76"
The Oken series of submarines of the "Kaidai-7" type consisted of 10 units ("I-76" - "I-85"), built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Sasebo KK", "Mitsubishi", "Kawasaki", "Yokosuka KK" and commissioned in 1942-1943. All boats were lost in 1943-1944. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement – 1.6 thousand tons, full displacement – 1.8 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 2.6 thousand tons; length – 98.6 m, width – 8.3 m; draft – 4.6 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 8/1.8 thousand hp. speed – 23 knots; cruising range - 8 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 135 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 88 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 1-2x1 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 12 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-16"
The series of ocean-going submarines of the Hei-gata C-1 type consisted of 5 units (I-16, I-18, I-20, I-22, I-24), built at the shipyards "Sasebo KK", "Mitsubishi", "Kawasaki" and commissioned in 1940-1941. All boats were lost in 1942-1944. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement – 2.2 thousand tons, full displacement – 2.5 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 3.6 thousand tons; length – 103.8 m, width – 9.1 m; draft - 5.4 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 12.4/2 thousand hp. speed - 23.6 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 245 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 95 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 8 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 20 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-47"
Submarine "I-48"
Ocean-going submarines I-46, I-47 and I-48 of the Hei-gata C-2 type were built at the Sasebo KK shipyard and commissioned in 1944. I-46 boats " and "I-48" were lost in 1944 and 1945, and "I-47" was decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.2 thousand tons, full displacement - 2.6 thousand tons ., underwater – 3.6 thousand tons; length – 103.8 m, width – 9.1 m; draft - 5.4 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 14/2 thousand hp speed – 23.5 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 230 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 95 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 8 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 20 torpedoes.
Hei-Gata C-3 class submarine
Ocean-going submarines "I-52", "I-53" and "I-55" of the "Hei-gata C-3" type were built at the Kure KK shipyard and commissioned in 1943-1944. Boats "I" -52" and "I-55" were lost in 1944, and "I-53" was decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.1 thousand tons, full displacement - 2.6 thousand tons ., underwater – 3.6 thousand tons; length – 102.4 m, width – 9.3 m; draft – 5.1 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 4.7/1.2 thousand hp speed - 17.7 knots; cruising range - 21 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 320 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 94 people. Armament: 2x1 – 140 mm guns; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 19 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-41"
The series of ocean-going submarines of the Otsu-Gata B-2 type consisted of 6 units (“I-40” - “I-45”), built at the Kure KK, Yokosuka KK, Sasebo KK shipyards and accepted commissioned in 1943-1944. All submarines were lost during the war. Boat performance characteristics: standard surface displacement – 2.2 thousand tons, full displacement – 2.6 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 3.7 thousand tons; length – 102.4 m, width – 9.3 m; draft – 5.2 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 11/2 thousand hp speed – 23.5 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 220 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 100 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 17 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-15"
Submarine "I-19"
Submarine "I-21"
Submarine "I-26"
Submarine "I-30"
The series of ocean-going submarines of the Otsu-Gata B-1 type consisted of 20 units (I-15, I-17, I-19, I-21, I-23, I -25" - "I-39"), built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Yokosuka KK", "Sasebo KK", "Mitsubishi", "Kawasaki" and commissioned in 1940-1943. The I-36 boat capitulated in 1945, and was scrapped in 1946; the rest of the submarines were lost during the war. Boat performance characteristics: standard surface displacement – 2.2 thousand tons, full displacement – 2.6 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 3.7 thousand tons; length – 102.4 m, width – 9.3 m; draft – 5.1 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 12.4/2 thousand hp. speed - 23.6 knots; cruising range - 14 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 220 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 100 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 17 torpedoes; seaplane.
Submarine "I-54"
The Oken series of submarines of the Otsu-Gata B-3 type consisted of 3 units (I-54, I-56, I-58), built at the Yokosuka KK shipyards and commissioned in 1944 Boats “I-54” and “I-56” were lost in 1944 and 1945, and “I-58” was decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.1 thousand tons, full – 2.6 thousand tons, underwater – 3.7 thousand tons; length – 102.4 m, width – 9.3 m; draft – 5.2 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 4.7/1.2 thousand hp speed - 17.7 knots; cruising range - 21 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 242 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 100 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 19 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-21"
A series of underwater minelayers of the “Kirai-Sen” type consisted of 4 units (“I-21”, “I-22”, “I-23”, “I-24”), built at the Kawasaki shipyard and put into operation in 1927-1928 Since 1940, the boats have been equipped with tanks for aviation gasoline. Since 1943, the boats "I-21" and "I-22" served as training ships. The boats “I-23” and “I-24” were lost in 1942, “I-22” - in 1945, and “I-21” was decommissioned in 1946 after surrender. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1, 1 thousand tons, full – 1.4 thousand tons, underwater – 1.8 thousand tons; length – 82 m, width – 7.5 m; draft - 4.4 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.4/1.1 thousand hp. speed - 14.5 knots; cruising range - 10.5 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 154 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 70 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 12 torpedoes or 42 mines.
Submarine "I-202"
The series of medium-sized submarines of the Sen-Taka type consisted of 3 units (I-201, I-202, I-203), built at the Kure KK shipyard and commissioned in 1945. All after the surrender, the boats were decommissioned in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 1.1 thousand tons, full - 1.3 thousand tons, underwater - 1.5 thousand tons; length – 76 m, width – 5.8 m; draft – 5.5 m; immersion depth – 110 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.7/5 thousand hp. speed - 15.8 knots; cruising range - 5.8 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 95 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 31 people. Armament: 2x1 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 10 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-10"
The series of ocean-going submarines of the Ko-gata A-1 type consisted of 3 units (I-9, I-10, I-11), built at the Kure KK, Kawasaki shipyards and accepted commissioned in 1941-1942. All boats were lost in 1944. The known boat “I-12” of the “Ko-Gata A2” type (put into operation in 1944) with reduced engine power (4.7 thousand hp) and increased cruising range (22 thousand miles). The boat died in 1945. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.4 thousand tons, full - 2.9 thousand tons, underwater - 4.1 thousand tons; length – 108.4 m, width – 9.6 m; draft - 5.4 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 12.4/2.4 thousand hp. speed – 23.5 knots; cruising range - 16 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 242 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 114 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 2x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft guns; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 18 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-56"
From the series of medium-sized submarines of the Vickers L-2 type, by the beginning of the war, 3 units remained in service (RO-54, RO-55, RO-56), built at the Mitsubishi shipyard and commissioned in 1921-1922 All boats were lost in 1939-1940. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement – 0.9 thousand tons, underwater – 1.2 thousand tons; length – 67.1 m, width – 7.1 m; draft - 3.9 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.4/1.6 thousand hp. speed - 17 knots; cruising range - 5.5 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 80 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 48 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 4 – 450 mm torpedo tubes; 8 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-57"
Submarine "RO-58"
The series of medium-sized submarines of the Vickers L-3 type consisted of 3 units (RO-57, RO-58, RO-59), built at the Mitsubishi shipyard and commissioned in 1922-1923 . All boats were lost in 1945. Boat performance characteristics: standard surface displacement – 0.9 thousand tons, full displacement – 1 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 1.2 thousand tons; length – 74 m, width – 7.2 m; draft – 4 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.4/1.6 thousand hp. speed - 17 knots; cruising range - 7 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 98 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 48 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 10 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-60"
Submarine "RO-63"
Submarine "RO-64"
Submarine "RO-68"
The series of medium-sized submarines of the Vickers L-4 type consisted of 9 units (“RO-60” - “RO-68”), built at the Mitsubishi shipyard and commissioned in 1923-1927. After the surrender, 3 boats were sunk in 1946, the rest were lost during the war. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement - 1 thousand tons, underwater displacement - 1.3 thousand tons; length – 74.1 m, width – 7.4 m; draft - 3.8 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.4/1.6 thousand hp. speed – 16.5 knots; cruising range - 7 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 75 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 60 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 10 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-31"
From the series of medium submarines of the Kai-Toku-Chu type, by the beginning of the war, 3 units remained in service (RO-30, RO-31, RO-32), built at the Kawasaki shipyard and commissioned in 1923-1927 All submarines were lost during the war. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement – 0.6 thousand tons, underwater – 1 thousand tons; length – 74.2 m, width –6.1 m; draft – 3.7 m; immersion depth – 60 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 1.2/1.2 thousand hp speed – 13 knots; cruising range - 8 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 116 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 43 people. Armament: 1x1 – 120 mm gun; 1x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 8 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-27"
The series of medium-sized submarines of the Kaichu-4 type consisted of 3 units (RO-26, RO-27, RO-28), built at the Sasebo KK shipyard and commissioned in 1923-1924 . All boats were lost in 1940. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement - 0.8 thousand tons, underwater - 1.1 thousand tons; length – 74.2 m, width – 6.1 m; draft – 3.7 m; immersion depth – 45 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.6/1.2 thousand hp. speed – 16.5 knots; cruising range - 6 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 75 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 45 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 8 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-33"
Medium submarines "RO-33" and "RO-34" of the "Kaichu-5" type were built at the Kure KK and Mitsubishi shipyards and commissioned in 1935-1937. The boats were lost in 1942 and 1943. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 0.7 thousand tons, full - 0.9 thousand tons, underwater - 1.2 thousand tons; length – 71.5 m, width – 6.7 m; draft – 4 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 2.9/1.2 thousand hp. speed - 19 knots; cruising range - 8 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 95 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 60 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x1 – 13.2 mm machine gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 10 torpedoes.
Submarine "Ro-46"
The series of large submarines of the Kaichu-6 type consisted of 18 units (RO-35 - RO-50, RO-55, RO-56), built at the Sasebo KK shipyard, Mitsubishi ", "Tamano Zosen" and commissioned in 1943-1944. The boat “RO-50” was sunk in 1946 after surrender, the rest were lost during the war. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 0.9 thousand tons, full - 1.1 thousand tons, underwater - 1.4 thousand tons; length – 76.5 m, width – 7.1 m; draft – 4 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 4.2/1.2 thousand hp speed - 19.7 knots; cruising range - 5 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 115 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 61 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 1x2 – 13.2 mm machine gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 10 torpedoes.
Submarine "RO-101"
The series of medium-sized submarines of the Kai-Sho type consisted of 18 units (RO-100 - RO-117), built at the Kure KK, Kawasaki shipyard and commissioned in 1942-1944. All boats were lost during the war. Boat performance characteristics: standard surface displacement – 525 tons, full displacement – 621 tons, underwater displacement – 782 tons; length – 57.4 m, width – 6 m; draft –3.5 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 1.1/0.8 thousand hp speed - 14.2 knots; cruising range - 3.5 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 35 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 38 people. Armament: 1x1 – 76 mm gun; 1x2 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 8 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-13"
Submarine "I-14"
Submarine aircraft carriers “I-13” and “I-14” of the “Kai-Ko-Taka AM” type were built at the Kawasaki shipyard and commissioned in 1944 and 1945. The boats had a deckhouse-hangar to accommodate 2 seaplanes, a catapult and two cranes for lifting aircraft. The boat “I-13” died in 1945, and “I-15” was written off in 1946 after surrender. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 2.6 thousand tons, total displacement - 3.6 thousand tons, underwater – 4.8 thousand tons; length – 108.4 m, width – 11.7 m; draft - 5.9 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power – 4.4/0.6 thousand hp speed - 16.7 knots; cruising range - 21 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 180 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 114 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 2x3 and 1x1 – 25-mm anti-aircraft gun; 6 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 12 torpedoes; catapult, 2 seaplanes.
Submarine "I-400"
Submarine "I-401"
Submarine aircraft carriers "I-400", "I-401" and "I-402" of the "Sen-Toku" type were built at the shipyards "Kure KK", "Sasebo KK" and commissioned in 1944-1945. The boats had a cabin-hangar 34 m long to accommodate 3 seaplanes, a catapult and a crane for lifting aircraft. The boats, after the US surrender in 1945, were scuttled in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement - 3.5 thousand tons, full - 5.2 thousand tons, underwater - 6.6 thousand tons; length – 116 m, width – 12 m; draft – 7 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 4 diesel engines and 4 electric motors; power – 7.7/2.4 thousand hp. speed - 18.7 knots; cruising range - 30 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 780 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 144 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 3x3 and 1x1 – 25 mm anti-aircraft gun; 7 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 20 torpedoes; catapult; 3 seaplanes.
Submarine "I-351" ("Sen-Ho")
The refueling boat was built at the Kure KK shipyard and commissioned in 1945. It was intended for refueling large seaplanes on the open sea. The tanker boat carried up to 365 tons of aviation gasoline, 15 tons of aviation ammunition (torpedoes and bombs) and 11 tons of fresh water. The boat could refuel 3 seaplanes at the same time. The boat died six months after being put into service. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement – 2.7 thousand tons, full displacement – 3.5 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 4.3 thousand tons; length – 107 m, width – 10.2 m; draft – 6.1 m; immersion depth – 90 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 3.7/1.2 thousand hp. speed - 15.8 knots; cruising range - 13 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 780 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 77 people. Armament: 4x1 – 80 mm mortar; 3x2 and 1x1 – 25-mm anti-aircraft gun; 4 – 533 mm torpedo tubes; 4 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-370"
The series of transport submarines of the Tei-Gata type consisted of 12 units (I-361 - I-372), built at the Kure KK, Mitsubishi, Yokosuka KK shipyards and commissioned in 1944 The boat could carry 63 tons of cargo inside or 110 troops, as well as 20 tons on deck or 5 guided torpedoes. 4 submarines surrendered to the United States in 1945, and were sunk in 1946; the remaining submarines were lost during the war. There was a variant of the boat of the “Tei-Gata-2” type under the designation “I-373”, which could carry 100 tons of cargo, or 150 tons of aviation gasoline, as well as 10 tons of cargo fixed on the deck. The boat was put into operation in 1945 and sank 4 months later. Performance characteristics of the boat: standard surface displacement – 1.4 thousand tons, full displacement – 1.8 thousand tons, underwater displacement – 2.2 thousand tons; length – 70.5 m, width – 8.9 m; draft – 4.8 m; immersion depth – 75 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and 2 electric motors; power - 1.9/1.2 thousand hp. speed – 13 knots; cruising range - 15 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 220 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 75 people. Armament: 1x1 – 140 mm gun; 2x1 – 25 mm anti-aircraft guns; 2-533 mm torpedo tubes; 2 torpedoes.
Submarine "I-53" type S-3
Submarine "I-55" type S-3
A series of ocean-going military transport submarines Type S-3 was built in 1942-1943. of three units designated "I-52", "I-53" and "I-55". The submarine “I-55” died three months later (July 14, 1944), after launching. "I-53" was converted to carry six man-made kamikaze "Kaiten" torpedoes, fought successfully, survived the war, and capitulated. She was disarmed and shot as a target by the US Navy in 1946. “I-52” died on April 23, 1944 after an attack by American torpedo bombers near the Cape Verde Islands during an ultra-long voyage (22 thousand km) from Japan to France. Performance characteristics of the boat: surface displacement - 2.5 thousand tons, underwater displacement - 3.6 thousand tons; length - 109 m, width - 9 m, draft - 5.1 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants - 2 diesel engines with a capacity of 4.7 thousand hp, one electric motor with a capacity of 1.2 thousand hp; surface speed - 18 knots, submerged - 6.5 knots; Cruising range - 50 thousand km at an average speed of 12 knots; crew - 94 people. Armament: 6 torpedo tubes with a diameter of 533 mm, 19 torpedoes; two 140 mm guns; twin 25-mm anti-aircraft gun.
Submarines "HA-102", "HA-104" and "HA-101"
The series of small submarine transport boats of the Sen-Yuso-Sho type consisted of 10 units (HA-101 - HA-109, HA-111), built at the Kawasaki, Mitsubishi shipyards and accepted into service. construction in 1944-1945 The boat could carry 60 tons of cargo. All boats surrendered to the United States in 1945 and were sunk in 1946. Boat performance characteristics: standard surface displacement – 370 tons, full displacement – 429 tons, underwater displacement – 493 tons; length – 42.2 m, width – 6 m; draft – 4 m; immersion depth – 95 m; power plants – diesel engine and electric motor; power – 400/150 hp speed – 10 knots; cruising range - 3 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 45 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 21 people. Armament: 1x1 – 25 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
Submarine "YU-1"
Small transport submarines of the Japanese Army "YU-1", "YU-10" and "YU-12" were built at the Hitach shipyard and commissioned in 1943-1944. The boat could carry 40 tons of cargo. After the surrender in 1945, the boats were scuttled in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement - 273 tons, underwater - 370 tons; length – 39.5 m, width – 3.9 m; draft – 3 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – 2 diesel engines and an electric motor; power – 400/75 hp speed – 10 knots; cruising range - 1.5 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 30 tons of diesel fuel; crew - 13 people. Armament: 1x1 – 37 mm anti-aircraft machine gun.
Submarine "YU-1001"
Small transport submarines of the Japanese Army "YU-1001", "YU-1007", "YU-1011", "YU-1013" and "YU-1014" were built at the Korean shipyard "Chosen" and commissioned in 1944- 1945 The boat could carry 40 tons of cargo. After the surrender in 1945, the boats were scuttled in 1946. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement - 392 tons, underwater - 479 tons; length – 49 m, width – 5 m; draft – 2.7 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – diesel engine and electric motor; power – 700/75 hp speed – 12 knots; cruising range - 1.5 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 35 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 25 people. Armament: 1x1 – 37 mm anti-aircraft gun; 1x1 – 7.7 mm machine gun.
Ko-hyoteki-class submarine
The series of midget submarines of the Ko-hyoteki type (type A) consisted of 59 units. The first boats (NA-1 and NA-2, built at the Mitsubishi and Kure KK shipyards) were prototypes and put into operation in 1936. Serial boats (NA-3 - NA-52 ", "NA-54" - "NA-61") were built at the Ourazaki shipyard and commissioned in 1938-1942. Boats were delivered to the scene of action by underwater or surface transport. During the war, 19 boats were lost, the rest were sunk in 1945. Performance characteristics of the boat: total surface displacement - 45.3 tons, underwater - 47 tons; length – 24 m, width – 1.9 m; height – 3 m; draft – 1.9 m; immersion depth – 30 m; power plants – electric motor; power – 600 hp surface speed - 23 knots, underwater speed - 19 knots; cruising range - 80 miles; crew – 2 people. Armament: 2 – 450 mm torpedo tubes; 2 torpedoes.
Hei-Hyoteki-class submarine
Submarine "HA-69"
The series of ultra-small submarines of the Hei-Hyoteki type (type C) was an improved version of the Ko-hyoteki type and consisted of 15 units (NA-21 - NA-76), built at the Ourazaki and "NA-76" shipyards. Kure KK and commissioned in 1943 -1944. During the war, 8 boats were lost, the rest were sunk in 1945. Performance characteristics of the boat: underwater displacement - 49 tons; length – 25 m, width – 1.9 m; height – 3 m; draft – 1.9 m; immersion depth – 30 m; power plants – diesel engine and electric motor; power – 40/600 hp surface speed - 7 knots, underwater speed - 19 knots; cruising range - 350 miles; fuel reserve - 0.5 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 3 people. Armament: 2 – 450 mm torpedo tubes; 2 torpedoes.
Tei-Hyoteki (Koryu) class submarines
By the end of the war, the construction of 115 midget submarines of the Tei-Hyoteki class (type D) had been completed. The boats were a further development of the Ko-hyoteki type and were commissioned in 1945. The submarines were assembled at the shipyards Ourazaki, Harima, Hitachi, Kawasaki, Kure KK, Maizuru KK, Mitsubishi", "Mitsui", "Niigata", "Yokosuka KK" from 5 ready-made sections. There are known cases when, in the absence of torpedoes, boats were equipped with explosives weighing up to 600 kg. and kamikazes were used. Performance characteristics of the boat: underwater displacement – 59.3 tons; length – 26.3 m, width – 2 m; height – 2 m; draft – 1.9 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – diesel engine and electric motor; power – 150/500 hp surface speed - 8 knots, underwater speed - 16 knots; cruising range - 1 thousand miles; fuel reserve - 4.5 tons of diesel fuel; crew – 5 people. Armament: 2 – 450 mm torpedo tubes; 2 torpedoes.
Kairyu-class submarines
By the end of the war, the construction of 213 Kairyu-class midget submarines had been completed. The boats were put into operation in 1945. The submarines were assembled at the shipyards Kawaminami, Hitachi, Osaka, Mitsubishi, Uraga, Shimonoseki, Hayashikane, Hakodate Dock, Fujinagata, "Yokosuka KK" from 3 ready-made sections. There are known cases when, in the absence of torpedoes, boats were equipped with explosives weighing up to 600 kg. and kamikazes were used. Performance characteristics of the boat: underwater displacement – 19 tons; length – 17.3 m, height – 1.3 m; draft – 1.3 m; immersion depth – 100 m; power plants – gasoline engine and electric motor; power – 85/80 hp surface speed - 8 knots, underwater speed - 10 knots; cruising range - 450 miles; crew – 2 people. Armament: 2 – 450 mm torpedo tubes; 2 torpedoes.
See also Secrets of the Submarine with Gold.
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A daily boost of fighting spirit!WARHEAD.SU
No, this is not a book about misfits. These are real Japanese plans for attacks in 1945 and the following years using monstrous submarine aircraft carriers, the very existence of which remained secret until the very end of the war.
But first things first. The beginning of the 20th century presented the world with many technical innovations that quickly found application during the First World War. Newly introduced aircraft are becoming a real hit. Quite quickly, the idea of aircraft carrier ships arises, and all that remains is to wait for someone’s gloomy genius to try to combine aviation with another fashionable novelty - submarines.
German U-12 with seaplane on board
Such an opportunity arose even before the end of the war. In January 1915, the German submarine U-12 loaded a seaplane onto its deck. The idea was simple. On the surface, the boat brings the plane to the British shores and submerges so that it ends up on the water. The seaplane takes off from the water, bombs the enemy and goes back under its own power.
After the First World War, all major maritime powers began to develop this idea. Moreover, the post-war treaty on the limitation of naval arms applied to battleships, but not to submarines. In theory, it looked as cool and futuristic as possible: invisible aircraft carriers under water that could get close to any enemy ports, bomb an unsuspecting enemy and hide in the depths of the ocean. The reality turned out to be more prosaic. There was no point in transporting an aircraft over water; an ordinary aircraft carrier was suitable for this. And for movement under water, special hangars were required, which took up precious space for the submarine.
The crew of the British HMS M2 prepares to launch a seaplane
Problems also arose with the tightness of the hangars themselves. Unloading and loading the aircraft took too long and exposed the ship, and the slightest disturbance at sea could interfere with the process. After a couple of unsuccessful attempts, the enthusiasm of the commanders faded, and all countries curtailed their projects. All except one - the Japanese Empire.
A real samurai was not afraid of the failures of gaijins. Rapidly modernizing Japan experienced great interest in technical innovations. In addition, the Japanese admiralty sought to be as independent as possible from the “land forces” and therefore created its own aviation. So such a project, despite all its complexity, turned out to be quite in the spirit of the times. Thanks to this, by the beginning of the new world war, a series of B1 submarines was designed and launched - of course, in an atmosphere of complete secrecy.
The ships of this series, in addition to standard weapons, carried one seaplane in the hangar, launched from a pneumatic catapult on the deck. But the plane was intended for reconnaissance, and ships had to be sunk the old fashioned way with torpedoes from a submarine. Everything changed after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The defeat of the Americans made aircraft carriers and naval aviation new stars. The question quickly arose: is it possible to do this from submarines?
On September 9, 1942, the Imperial submarine I-25 approached the West Coast of the United States unnoticed. This time, the Yokosuka E14Y seaplane launched from the submarine was armed with two incendiary bombs. Bombs were successfully dropped into Oregon forests to cause widespread forest fires. But even after the repeated bombing on September 29, the expected fires did not flare up, and the raids themselves gave rise to strange rumors among the Americans, even about flying saucers. But the Japanese command caught fire - the mainland USA can be bombed with impunity! We just need bigger submarines, much bigger.
No resources were spared on the new project. The I-400 series ship was a real monster: 122 meters in length, 6,500 tons of displacement, a folding crane and, most importantly, three Aichi M6A aircraft capable of carrying a bomb of up to 850 kg. It was the largest submarine of the entire Second World War, and 18 of these monsters were planned!
Anton Zheleznyak Technical and engineering expert
Note that the first terms of reference for the I-400 were formulated in January 1942, i.e., not after the US bombings from I-25, but immediately after Pearl Harbor.
But the military situation was not changing for the better for Japan. The Allies were advancing, there were not enough resources, the super project was postponed. The first two ships of the new series were put into operation only in 1945, when things became very bad for the Japanese. Nevertheless, the command did not lose heart; with the new weapon it was planned to strike a daring blow behind enemy lines in order to turn the tide of the war.
Submarine aircraft carriers were supposed to enter the Atlantic Ocean through the Indian Ocean and bomb the Panama Canal. Calculations showed the possibility of disabling the canal for six months; the admirals dreamed of a new Pearl Harbor. It seemed that everything could still be changed.
But in June the US captures Okinawa. The threat of invasion looms over Japan. Plans are hastily changed in order to somehow contain the Americans. Now the target is the ship base near Ulithi Atoll. The attack is scheduled for August 17. But on August 15, the Japanese Emperor radioed about the surrender.
The Americans are in charge of the surrendered I-400
The era of submarine aircraft carriers ended before it began. Planes and torpedoes are ingloriously dumped into the sea, ships surrender to the enemy without a fight. But the operation “Cherry blossoms at night” was also planned! The plan itself was not as poetic as the name. In the vicinity of San Diego, California, it was planned to scatter a load of plague fleas to cause an epidemic.
Although the Japanese submarine aircraft carriers were delivered to the United States intact, the crazy project did not receive further development. The ships were sunk immediately after the USSR demanded access to the trophies, and the gaijin’s own projects seemed too complex and costly. But in just a few days, a glorious chapter on the combat use of underwater-based aircraft would appear in military textbooks. And then they would definitely make a Hollywood blockbuster about a surprise attack by top-secret Japanese weapons - chaos, panic and submarines disappearing under the cover of darkness...
Hydroaviation of the Japanese submarine fleet in World War II. Part VIII
In the coming year, we continue a series of articles intended for a wide range of fans of military history and aviation history and reflecting the stages of the emergence (during the First World War) and development of a special class of hydroaviation - aircraft for submarines, as well as their carriers - aircraft-carrying submarine cruisers and underwater aircraft carriers in the interwar period and during the Second World War.
Particular success in this direction was achieved in Japan, where by December 1941 the fleet had specially built submarines with onboard reconnaissance aircraft. A little-known fact, but it was the on-board reconnaissance seaplane “Kugisho” E14Y1 (code name “Glen”), which launched from the submarine I-7, the day before the epoch-making strike of carrier-based aircraft of the Japanese fleet on the American base in Pearl Bay on December 7, 1941. Harbor and other objects on the island of Oahu, carried out additional reconnaissance of targets.
His flight went unnoticed by the Americans and the plane returned safely to its carrier. In the Appendix, see links to materials posted on the site in 2022.
Submarine aircraft carriers
The successful practice of combat use of aircraft-carrying submarine cruisers in the initial period of the war in the Pacific Ocean, including in the immediate vicinity of the North American coast, already at the very beginning of 1942 convinced the Japanese Naval General Staff of the fundamental possibility of launching an attack by “underwater-based” seaplanes on the continental part territory of the United States. To inflict significant material damage when carrying out such a strike, the fleet needs a full-fledged attack aircraft, and not a light-bomber version of a reconnaissance seaplane. Subsequently, the raid of the aircraft-carrying submarine I-25 off the coast of the American state of Oregon in September 1942 clearly demonstrated the correctness of these judgments. For such new aircraft, other underwater carriers were also required.
The proposal of the Naval General Staff on the need to build submarines that would carry attack aircraft found its practical implementation in February 1942, when the commander of the Japanese Combined Fleet, Admiral Yamomoto, approved a plan to build a series of submarines of the Sen-Toku type (“Sensuican Toku” - a special purpose submarine appointment) within the framework of the “Extraordinary Military Program of 1942”.
Submarines of the "Sen-Toku" ("STo") type were supposed to carry on board three to four attack aircraft (torpedo dive bombers) with a combat load of up to 1000 kg, have a cruising range of up to 40,000 miles and have an autonomy within four months.
The main goal of the created flotilla of 18 Sen-Toku class submarines (actually underwater aircraft carriers) was to be the Panama Canal. The destruction of the canal locks would significantly complicate the transfer of Allied forces and assets from the Atlantic, from the European Theater of Operations to the Pacific Ocean along bypass routes and would allow the Japanese fleet to maintain the superiority it had achieved in the Pacific Theater of Operations (after the attack on the main base of the American fleet in Pearl Harbor in December 1941 year) for a longer period.
Other plans for the combat use of aircraft-carrying Sen-Toku submarines were also considered - striking directly at US territory, in particular New York.
Diesel aircraft-carrying submarine I-401 (type I-400 “Sen-Toku”), sea trials, 1945
The development and construction of these unique submarines (submarine aircraft carriers) took place at the Main Naval Arsenal in Yokosuka and shipyards in Kure and Sasebo, At the same time, practical developments of submarines of a similar class of the “Kai-Ko-Taka AM” type created at the same time were actively used. The work was carried out in the strictest secrecy under the patronage of Admiral Yamomoto himself. The Sen-Toku () project developed rapidly; the lead submarine in the series, I-400, was laid down in less than a year - on January 18, 1943 at the shipyards in Kure. In the same year, four more submarines of the STo project were laid down - two on the ropes in Sasebo (I-401 and I-402) and two in Kura (I-403 and I-404). In September 1944, the sixth submarine of this type, I-405, was laid down at the shipyards in Kura.
Diesel aircraft-carrying submarines of the I-400 type (“Sen-Toku”) became the largest submarines built during the Second World War. They lost the palm in size only in the mid-60s of the 20th century to a new class - nuclear submarines.
The I-400 submarine had a total surface displacement of 5,223 tons (submerged 6,560 tons) and a maximum length of 122 meters.
The width of the boat (maximum) was 12 meters and the height was 7 meters. Japanese submarine I-401 (type I-400 "Sen-Toku") at the pier, spring 1945.
Strength with such gigantic dimensions was ensured by a double-hull design - the durable hull in the middle part had the shape of a horizontal figure eight (two cylinders were connected to each other by a high-strength longitudinal bulkhead), this also made it possible to achieve the optimal height (draft). The inside of the hull was divided into eight compartments by flat sealed bulkheads.
To optimize the length of the boat, the engines of the power plant (four diesel engines with a total power of 7,700 horsepower and two 1,200-horsepower electric motors) were placed sequentially in two rows - each group of three engines worked on its own shaft line. To ensure the operation of diesel engines under water, there was a snorkel of the simplest design. The supply of fuel for diesel engines was stored in tanks outside the pressure hull, and tanks for aviation gasoline were also placed here.
To reduce the noise of the boat while underway, all its main mechanisms had rubber-metal shock absorbers.
In addition, to reduce acoustic and radar signature, elements of the light hull of the boat and the walls of the aircraft hangar were coated with a special rubber-based compound. Despite all the tricks, it was not possible to get rid of the great noise emitted by such large submarines. Aircraft-carrying submarine type I-400 (“Sen-Toku”)
The submarine I-400 (“Sen-Toku”) developed a surface speed of 18.7 knots, and a submerged speed of 6.5 knots. The maximum cruising range at an average speed of 14 knots could be 37,000 miles - an impressive figure! At the same time, the cruising range in a submerged position at a speed of 3 knots was only 60 miles. The boat had a working diving depth of 100 meters and an autonomy of 90 days. The crew of the I-400 (including the air group) included 144 people, and the living conditions were quite good for their time.
In the central part of the boat, above the robust hull, there was a cylindrical aircraft hangar with a total length of 37.5 meters, closed at the front by a massive lid-door.
Its internal diameter of 3.5 meters and length of 34 meters were supposed to accommodate three attack seaplanes. The strong walls of the sealed hangar withstood the pressure of sea water when diving up to 100 meters. At the initial stage of work on the STo project, the hangar was supposed to accommodate only two aircraft; its length, as well as the dimensions of the entire boat as a whole, were smaller (the total surface displacement was planned to be within 4,550 tons). The aircraft hangar of the Japanese submarine I-400, in the foreground is a slightly open massive lid-door.
The boat is moored to an American mother ship, August 1945. In the frontal view, the aircraft hangar was slightly shifted from the center line to the left, and the boat's wheelhouse was shifted to the right. The hangar and deckhouse had a well-developed common fence and were equipped with platforms for placing anti-aircraft guns. From the durable hull of the boat there was a passage through a durable hatch into the hangar, this made it possible to begin preparing aircraft for takeoff before the submarine surfaced and reduced the total time it spent on the surface during aircraft launches, increasing survivability in combat conditions.
The starting track of the pneumatic catapult of the aircraft-carrying submarine I-400, on the left side of the crane (in the stowed position) for lifting splashed-down seaplanes onto the deck, Pacific Ocean, August 29, 1944. A powerful
pneumatic catapult Type 4 N1 mod 10 was located in front of the hangar in the bow of the I-400 . The length of its track was 26 meters (the length of the working section was 21 meters), and the distance between the guides was 1.16 meters. The pressure in the system could vary from 90 to 150 atmospheres, depending on the weight of the aircraft being launched (maximum weight 5 tons). The starting track had an elevation angle of three degrees. The catapult accelerated the plane to a speed of 34 meters per second with an overload of up to 2.5 g. To reduce the time required to prepare for launch, attack seaplanes (without floats) had to be placed in the hangar on individual launch carts.
Launch trolley in the aircraft hangar of the I-400 submarine
Cylindrical container for storing seaplane floats
All launch carts were equipped with a hydraulic lifting device, allowing the aircraft attached to it to be lowered when moving it to the hangar, and to be raised when preparing to launch from a catapult, providing an additional angle of attack of 3.5 degrees.
To the right and left of the catapult near the hangar, under the deck flooring, two sealed cylindrical containers were placed for storing removable seaplane floats (three in each). If necessary, mounted on special trolleys, the floats were delivered to the deck (in pairs) along inclined ramps - sheets of deck flooring tilted downwards, which in the stowed position occupied their main position flush with the deck.
On the left side of the submarine in front of the hangar there was a crane with a lifting capacity of up to 12 tons. In the stowed position, it was folded and retracted into a special recess on the deck. Its main purpose is to lift seaplanes that have splashed down after a flight onto the deck of the boat.
140-mm stern gun of the aircraft-carrying submarine I-401 (firing range 17.5 km, rate of fire 6 rounds per minute)
The torpedo armament of the I-400 consisted of eight 533-mm devices located in the bow, four on each side (ammunition capacity 20 torpedoes) . The artillery armament was represented by a stern 140-mm gun, and the anti-aircraft armament was represented by three built-in 25-mm machine guns and one single-barrel 25-mm installation. To detect surface and air targets, the boat had appropriate radar stations.
In addition to the Sen-Toku-class submarine aircraft carriers (and also out of fear that their creation might be delayed), the development and creation of similar specialized AM-class aircraft-carrying submarines was also underway at the Main Naval Arsenal in Yokosuka and the shipyards in Kure. . The first boat of this type, I-13, was laid down on February 4, 1943 (two weeks after the I-400 was laid down). Here in Kura during 1943, three more were laid: I-15, I-14 and I-1.
Submarine I-14 in Tokyo Bay, 1945 (photo taken from on board an American mother ship)
Submarines of this type were a smaller copy of the Sen-Toku class submarines and were a deep modification of the cruising aircraft-carrying submarines of the A1/A2 types ("Ko-Gata" ). Unlike Sen-Toku, the aircraft hangar (internal diameter 3.5 meters) was designed to accommodate not three, but two attack aircraft. The AM boats had a similar Type 4 N1 mod 10 pneumatic catapult located in front of the hangar in the bow, as well as a special crane.
Compared to the A2 project, AM-type submarines had a wider hull, draft and displacement (in the surface position it increased from 2934 to 3603 tons, and in the submerged position from 4172 to 4762 tons) of the boat. The power plant had less power (two diesel engines with 2,200 horsepower each and two 600-horsepower electric motors), but was more economical. Meanwhile, the reduction in diesel fuel reserves due to the deployment of aviation technical equipment led to a reduction in the cruising range - only 21,000 miles at 16 knots. The maximum surface speed was 16.7 knots, and the submerged speed was 5.5 knots.
The I-13 boat had a working diving depth of 100 meters and an autonomy of 90 days. The crew (including the air group) included 118 people, living conditions compared to the I-12 boat of the A2 project noticeably worsened.
Submarine I-14 under the American flag (the 140-mm stern gun was removed from the boat by its previous owners), September 1945.
The usual armament of the submarine I-13 included one 140-mm gun in the stern of the boat, six bow 533-mm torpedo tubes (stock of torpedoes 12 pieces) and 25-mm anti-aircraft guns (two triple mounts and one single-barrel).
Of the six Sen-Toku class submarines and four AM class submarines laid down, only five entered the Japanese fleet before the end of hostilities: I-400, I-401, I-402, I-13 and I-14. The remaining boats were dismantled while still on the stocks or destroyed by an American air raid during construction (I-404). The I-402 boat did not have aviation weapons; before delivery to the fleet, it was converted into an underwater supply tanker.
Submarine I-402 (underwater supply tanker) in the port of Sasebo, 1945
Thus, for special strike operations, the Imperial Japanese Navy had only four submarine aircraft carriers: I-400, I-401, I-13 and I-14.
Submarine aircraft carriers I-14 and I-401 (view from the starboard side) Main tactical and technical characteristics of Japanese aircraft-carrying submarines (underwater aircraft carriers) of the “Sen-Toku” and “AM” types
Literature: 1. Beshanov V.V. Encyclopedia of Aircraft Carriers / Generally edited by A.E. Taras - M.: AST, Mn.: Harvest, 2002 (Library of Military History). 2. Platonov A.V. Linear forces of the submarine fleet. – St. Petersburg: Galeya Print LLC, 1998. 3. Dashyan A.V. Ships of the Second World War. Japanese Navy (part 2). Marine collection No. 7, 2004. 4. Ivanov S.V. Submarines of Japan 1941-1945. War at sea (No. 31). - Beloretsk: ARS LLC, 2006. 5. Okolelov N.N., Shumilin S.E., Chechin A.A. Submarine aircraft carriers of the Japanese fleet (history, design, aircraft weapons). Marine collection. - No. 7, 2007. 6. Kashcheev L.B. Japanese submarines in World War II. Marine collection No. 2. - 2011. 7. Firsov A. Japanese Aviation in the Second World War. Part one: Aichi, Yokosuka, Kawasaki. Aviation collection No. 4. TsAGI, 1996. 8. Solomonov B., Kulagin K. Submarine aviation of the Yamato country. Aviamaster No. 3, 2003. 9. Doroshkevich O. Aircraft of Japan of the Second World War - Mn.: Harvest, 2004. 10. Chechin A., Okolelov N. Start from under the water. Modeler-constructor. - No. 7, 8. - 2009. 11. Chechin A., Okolelov N. Ominous “Mountain Fog”. Seaplane Aichi M6A “Seiran” and its predecessors // Aviation and time.” - No. 4-6. - 2013. 12. Kharuk A.I. Strike aircraft of the Second World War - attack aircraft, bombers, torpedo bombers - M.: Yauza; EKSMO, 2012. 13. Kharuk A.I. All seaplanes of the Second World War. Illustrated color encyclopedia - M.: Yauza; EKSMO, 2014. 14. Kotelnikov V. Aviation in the Second World War. Airplanes of France. Part 1 (Aviation collection No. 10), 1996. 15. Kozyrev M., Kozyrev V. Aviation of the Axis countries in the Second World War - M.: ZAO Tsentrpoligraf, 2010. 16. Bryukhanov A. Deck-based aviation in the Second World War: Illustrated collection. Parts I-IV. – Publishing solutions (under license from Ridero), 2017. 17. Bryukhanov A. Aviation of the Japanese submarine fleet in World War II: Publishing solutions (under license from Ridero), 2022. 18. Gusev A.N. Special purpose submarines. Built ships and unrealized projects - M.: Morkniga, 2013. 19. RJ Francillon. Japanese Aircraft of the Pacific. Putman & Company. London-1970. 20. Robert C. Mikesh. Aichi M6A1 Seiran, Japan's Submarine-Launched Panama Canal Bomber (Monogram Close-Up 13) – Monogram Aviation Publications. Commonwealth Press Worcester, Massachusetts, 1975. 21. Japanese Military Aircraft Illustrated. Vol. 3, Reconnaissance Flying Boat Trainer/Transport - Bunrin-Do Co. Ltd., Tokyo 1983. 22. Robert C. Mikesh & Shorzoe Abe. Japanese Aircraft 1910-1941. Putnam Aeronautical Books, London, 1990. 23. Famous airplanes of the world No. 47. Imperial Japanese Navy Reconnaissance Seaplane – BUNRINDO Co.Ltd, Tokyo 1994. 24. Tadeusz Januszewski. Japanese Submarine Aircraft - Red Series (No. 5103). Mushroom Model Publications, 2002. 25. Ryusuke Ishiguro, Tadeusz Januszewski. Kugisho E14Y GLEN: The Aircraft that Bombed America (White Series) – MMPBooks, 2012. 26. ER Johnson. United States Naval Aviation, 1919-1941 - Aircraft, Airships and Ships Between the Wars. McFarland, 2011.
Internet resources: https://blogspot.com; https://wordpress.com; https://wikimedia.org; https://en.wikipedia.org; https://www.sub-driver.com; https://airandspace.si.edu; https://www.stripes.com; https://www.tinypic.com.
To be continued…
Only war
As promised, I am publishing a story about Japanese midget submarines, the theme of which was inspired by William Holmes’ book “Victory Underwater.”
The Americans assessed the Japanese efforts in this direction as follows: “The Japanese have gone far ahead in the use of ultra-small submarines transported on the deck of large submarines. Five Type I submarines were equipped to transport midget submarines.
Japanese Type I submarine
However, being prepared to transport midget submarines does not mean they will be effective in combat. Let's look at this issue.
Before Pearl Harbor:
“A special strike force consisting of five submarines (“I-16″, “I-18″, “I-20″, “I-22″ and “I-24″) under the command of Captain 2nd Rank Sasaki had a special task. Each of these five submarines carried a two-man midget submarine, which was equipped with a powerful battery for underwater propulsion, but did not have devices for recharging this battery. Midget submarines developed a phenomenal speed under water - 20 knots, but, of course, had a very short range and therefore had to be transported to the combat area. Each such boat had two torpedoes. This was not a suicide weapon, since in a successful attack the crew of the boat did not necessarily have to explode along with the boat, but it was generally recognized that a midget submarine sent to attack had little chance of successfully returning, and each such boat was equipped with an explosive charge with which in extreme cases, the crew could blow themselves up along with the boat.
The operation plan called for the midget submarines to be separated from their carrier boats before entering Pearl Harbor before the planned air attack. Each of them was then supposed to penetrate the harbor, passing under water along a long channel, and begin to go around Ford Island with the expectation of reaching the battleship parking lot by the time the air attack began. If the air attack failed, Japan hoped that every midget submarine would attack a large American ship. Having fired the torpedoes, the boats were then supposed to turn back, go along the fairway again and meet their carriers.”
Let me remind you that we are not talking about the “Kairyu” and “Kaiten” human torpedoes, which were controlled by “official” suicide bombers (I’ll talk about them later), but about midget submarines that were supposed to return to the base along with the crew.
A Type A-class boat, NA-19, washed ashore near Oahu after the attack on Pearl Harbor. December 1941
Actions of midget submarines on December 7, in the infamous Pearl Harbor:
“Against the background of the success of the Japanese aircraft carrier forces, the results of the actions of Japanese submarines were very modest. Five submarines with midget submarines on board approached Honolulu at the scheduled time and released their formidable weapons on the night of December 7th. At 03.42 on December 7, the American minesweeper Condor, which was trawling the approaches to Pearl Harbor, discovered one of the Japanese midget submarines and notified the destroyer Ward, which was on close patrol, about this. The submarine was discovered in an area closed to American submarines, so when the Ward made contact with the submarine at 0633, it attacked and sank it. This was the first battle of the war that began here. A report from the Ward about the sinking of a Japanese boat served as a signal to strengthen the patrol service and caused alarm among the top US command staff in Pearl Harbor. The specificity of submarine warfare is such that of the recorded contacts with submarines, far more are false than real, and in the previous weeks in the waters around the Hawaiian Islands, patrols had repeatedly reported establishing contacts that in fact turned out to be false. Therefore, in connection with “Ward’s” report, only the usual precautions were taken. The command of the American fleet was confident in the safety of the ships in the harbor, and therefore did not declare a combat alert on them. The Japanese air attack, which began an hour later, took the American ships by surprise.
Around the same time, another Japanese midget submarine managed to slip through the deployed anti-torpedo net at the entrance to Pearl Harbor harbor and passed undetected along the long channel into the inner harbor. When Japanese planes attacked the American battleships, this boat was in East Lough and rounded Ford Island. At approximately 08.30, the floating base of the Curtiss seaplane discovered this boat and fired at it. In close proximity to them was the destroyer Monaghan, which was heading to strengthen close patrol. The submarine fired both torpedoes, but missed. Monaghan rammed her and attacked her with depth charges. A few weeks later, this boat was raised from the bottom of the harbor along with the bodies of the crew members who were in it.
Another midget submarine was unable to approach the harbor entrance due to a compass malfunction and ran aground off the northern coast of Oahu. The boat's commander, Sakamaki, became the first Japanese prisoner of war. A fourth midget submarine was found south of Oahu about twenty years later. She was raised to the surface and returned to Japan. The fate of the fifth midget submarine is still unknown: it went missing and apparently did not attack any targets. Thus, the actions of Japanese midget submarines were ineffective.”
Remains of a Japanese midget submarine after the attack on Pearl Harbor
The first action in the war with the USA and the first failure. Or rather a complete failure, given the complete carelessness of the Americans.
We continue the combat path of ultra-small submarines, and now we have Midway:
“The invasion force on Midway Atoll was commanded by Vice Admiral Kondo. They were divided into three groups. All three groups departed from different ports and were supposed to connect at a point located 700 miles west of Midway.
The main forces were commanded by Admiral Yamamoto, who was on the battleship Yamato (the most powerful battleship ever built). This force left the Inland Sea of Japan the day after the invasion force left. The main forces included two seaplane transports: (“Chiyoda” and “Nishin”), each of which had several midget submarines with a crew of two people. However, none of them were used, since during the operation the parties exchanged air strikes and did not get close to artillery fire range .”
“On the same day, four other Japanese submarines took part in an attack on ships in Diego Suarez harbor on the island of Madagascar. A seaplane from “I-10” carried out reconnaissance of the harbor and discovered battleships in it. “I-16” and “I-20” launched two midget submarines. “I-18” was unable to do this due to technical problems. A torpedo from one of the midget boats hit the battleship Ramillies, as a result of which one compartment was flooded. Another boat sank the tanker. "I-16" observed the flames of fires in the harbor. Both midget submarines were lost. This raid of midget boats, despite their destruction, is considered the most successful. Both cases of the use of midget boats were in connection with the operation against Midway Atoll and had a diversionary value.”
Japanese Ko-hyoteki class midget submarine
Australia:
“Five Type I submarines (three carrying midget submarines and two carrying seaplanes) operated off the eastern coast of Australia. On May 29, “I-21” sent a seaplane to reconnaissance of the port of Sydney, which discovered battleships anchored in the harbor. It was probably the heavy cruiser Chicago, which had been mistaken for a battleship before. On May 31, “I-22”, “I-24” and “I-27”, located seven miles east of Sydney, launched midget submarines. Two of them entered the harbor, terrifying everyone and causing confusion. Chicago spotted one boat and opened fire, with shells exploding in a populated area of Sydney. A torpedo fired by the boat passed not far from the cruiser and exploded at the pier. Several sailors died from the explosion. The next day, two damaged and submerged boats were raised from the bottom of the harbor. The damage caused by the midget boats that entered the harbor was minor, and the boats were lost.”
This time it was not possible to fight, but the war is not over yet, let’s look at the Solomon Islands:
“Japanese submarines actively supported the actions of their surface forces. On November 8, seaplanes scooped up from Japanese submarines discovered Admiral Scott's task force approaching Guadalcanal. “I-122” transferred fuel to flying boats in the Indispensable Reef area. Three Japanese submarines (“I-16″, “I-20″ and “I-24″) were ordered to enter Indispensable Sound and launch midget submarines to attack American ships anchored off Guadalcanal. On November 7, the Medjebe transport was attacked by torpedoes. He managed to throw himself ashore. American destroyers managed to damage the I-20. The Japanese command announced the sinking of a transport and a destroyer by Japanese submarines. Only one midget submarine returned to the motherland. On November 28, “I-16” again launched midget submarines. They attacked and severely damaged the cargo ship Alchibe, which, having washed ashore, burned for four days. This was the greatest success of Japanese midget submarines during the entire period of military operations in the Pacific Ocean.”
Japanese midget submarine at the US Naval Museum
Have you assessed the scale of success? Here are some more “successes”, now in the Philippines:
“At one time, during the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japan used midget submarines. Boats of this type were also available in the Philippines. They were delivered to the area of the attack target either by conventional submarines, as in the operation against Pearl Harbor, or by seaplane transport, as was planned in the operation against Midway. In Japan, fascinating stories were published about the exploits of these submarines, but their actual successes were much more modest. In 1944, surface ships delivered ten midget submarines to the Philippines, which were to participate in the defense of the Philippines, operating from shore bases in Davao and Zamboanga (Mindanao Island) and Cebu. However, only boats based in Cebu (Cebu Island) took part in the fighting.”
“Japanese midget submarines based on the island of Cebu continued to fight until US troops landed on this island. Intense American shipping between Leyte and Lingayen Gulfs through Surigao Strait and the Mindanao Sea created almost ideal conditions for Japanese midget submarine warfare. These battery boats, with a crew of two, made passages alone or in groups of three boats to the forward base of Dumaguete, located near the southern tip of Negros Island. Here they were adrift, awaiting reports from shore observers about the progress of convoys or task forces through Surigao Strait. This position of the ultra-small submarines allowed them, without using up battery power to speed up the course, to be located in the area where US ships were traveling through the Mindanao Sea.
Ultra-small boats periodically reported the results of their actions. On January 3, they reported the sinking of a destroyer and two transports, and two days later, the destruction of a destroyer and another unidentified warship in the Mindanao Sea. One of the midget boats, which the Japanese command attributed to the sinking of the cruiser, did not return to base. Indeed, on January 5, a midget submarine attacked the Boys cruiser. This happened at a time when the Boys, accompanied by destroyers, was sailing into the Mindanao Sea. The destroyer Phoenix noticed the torpedoes heading towards the cruiser and gave a signal. The Boys maneuvered and the torpedoes missed. At the same time, the destroyer Taylor attacked and sank the boat. It should be noted that this is the only case for the entire month when Japanese data on the operation of a midget boat coincide with American data.
Midget submarines based in Cebu reported that they sank a destroyer and a cruiser in February, and three transports in March. However, none of these reports were confirmed. On March 26, US ground forces landed on the island of Cebu. The Japanese sank five midget submarines located here. During the landing on Cebu, the destroyers Conyngham, Flusser, Newman and a small submarine ship had contact with midget submarines. In particular, “Newman” reported the sinking of one such boat by artillery fire. This marked the end of the combat activity of Japanese midget submarines in the Philippines. The midget submarines based in Cebu did not sink a single American ship.”
There was also an episode with small boats that were based in Japan to protect it in the final stages of the war, but the results were exactly the same.
The results, as we see, are very impressive, and the conclusion is obvious: the use of ultra-small submarines (including, by the way, those with suicide bombers) is at least ineffective. Which, in fact, was recognized by the Americans, but it would be very interesting to listen to the opinion of the Japanese...
