HIJMS ZUIKAKU



Paired with Shokaku in the Fifth Carrier Division, Zuikaku's aircraft succeeded in causing massive damage in Pearl Harbor. During the Battle of the Coral Sea, Zuikaku lost many of these same aircraft; replacements and trained aircrews could not be mustered in time, causing her to miss the Battle of Midway. On October 25, 1944, during the Battle off Cape Engano, Zuikaku was attacked by three different waves of USN aircraft. Surviving the first two despite being damaged, she drew more than a hundred bomber and torpedo planes during the third wave. Hit repeatedly with bombs and torpedoes, Zuikaku soon lost way, burning and listing to port. The last of the IJN carriers that participated in the Attack on Pearl Harbor to so do, she sank at 1314.


SHIPS DATA

NAME:

Zuikaku

NAME TRANSLATION:

Happy Crane

DIMENSIONS:

Displacement: 28,000 tons (standard),
33,200 tons (full load)

Waterline Length: 800'

Length Overall: 820' 5"

Maximum Beam: 85'

Draft: 29'

Flight Deck Length: 847'

Flight Deck Width: 97'

ARMAMENT:

16 × 5"/40cal DP (dual mountings)

46 × 25mm (dual mountings)

22 × 13.2mm Machine guns

AIRCRAFT:

85

PROTECTION:

Side Belt: 1.8"- 6.5"

Deck: 4"- 5"

MACHINERY:

Engines: Geared Steam Turbines

Boilers: 8 Kanpon

Horsepower: 165,000 SHP

Speed: 34.5 Knots

COMPLEMENT:

1,660


PHOTO GALLERY

VIEW FROM ISLAND, FOLLOWING AKAGI AND KAGA
LINE DRAWINGS
WITH KAGA IN HIGH SEAS, ENROUTE PEARL
FLIGHT DECK VIEW OF LAUNCHING VAL
AERIAL VIEW OF BOW FROM DEPARTING AIRCRAFT



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