Carrier gunbattles.

Sargon

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I think with Shinano that was at least partly it being a hurried bodge job. The Japanese were so desperate for carriers at this point that they were willing to try converting a half completed super-BB and probably didn't have the time to redesign it without all the armour. Plus also given the growing American air superiority the armour did seem useful for defence against air attacks. As it was she was sunk by a sub, in part due to the poor damage control in existence in the IJN at this time.

Steve

Yes, in part due to poor damage control, but also due to the fact that many watertight doors hadn't even been fitted, and of those that had been, quite a few lacked gaskets. In addition, the ship could easily have made port, or at worst beached itself, but Captain Abe Toshio had far too much confidence in the condition of his ship and his own abilities and made a series of very poor decisions.

In other words, not a problem with the ship's design, but primarily with her commander.

As an aside, to the end of her service life, IJN Akagi retained a 10 inch main belt after conversion to a carrier and also retained 6x8 inch guns in single mount casemates located to the rear of the vessel. She was also bulged and had an improved TDS installed after her second conversion to a full deck carrier.

IJN Kaga retained a 9-11 inch fore and aft belt, with a uniform 11 inch main belt. She shipped 10x8 inch guns in single mount casemates aft. She was also bulged and had an improved TDS installed after her second conversion, similar to Akagi's above.

Casemates of course, do not make the best of weapons platforms.


Sargon
 
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