| |
|
| Country:
Japan |
|
Type: Aircraft carrier |
| Service:
1942 - 1944 |
| Laid down: 30 November 1939 (as a passenger liner) |
| Launched: 24 June 1941 (as an aircraft carrier) |
| Commissioned: 31 July 1942 |
| Struck: 10 November 1944 |
| Fate: Sunk 21 June 1944 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The two Hiyo class aircraft carriers were laid down as fast luxury passenger liners for the Japan Mail Steamship company in 1939. They were purchased by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1940 and converted into aircraft carriers during construction. Both served in World War II. The only surviving warship of the class was abandoned in 1945 and scrapped in 1947.
Hiyo was the lead ship of the class of aircraft carriers in Japanese naval service during the Second World War. Her bridge was built on the starboard side, and its funnel was slightly tilted to the outside in order to increase visibility on the flight deck.
Hiyo fought in the Pacific throughout the war, entering naval service with an aircraft complement of 12 Mitsubishi A6M fighters, 18 Aichi D3A dive bombers and 18 Nakajima B5N torpedo bombers. Hiyo survived several air strikes and a submarine attack while engaged in naval combat. During the Battle of the Philippine Sea, on 21 June 1944, Hiyo hit by torpedoes and ultimately sunk.
|
