Aoshima 00844 SPECIAL PURPOSE SUBMARINE CARRIERS NISSHIN

Nisshin was a Japanese seaplane transport carrier (tender) under the keel of which was laid in 1938, launched in November 1939, and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy in February 1942. The length of the ship at the time of launching was 192.5 m, width 19.7 m, and full displacement - 12,300 tons. Nisshin's top speed was up to 28 knots. The main armament at the time of launch was 6 140 mm guns in three twin turrets, and the secondary armament was, among others: 18-20 25 mm cannons. The aviation equipment consisted of 20 seaplanes.

The Nisshin was the only ship of her type and the last large Japanese seaplane transporter to enter service during the Pacific War. He was an upgrade of the Mizuho type. The changes consisted in increasing the efficiency of the engine room, a slight reduction in aviation equipment to strengthen artillery weapons. The combat career of the transport ship Nisshin began in June 1942 with participation in the Battle of Midway. In September of this year, he was sent to fight in the Guadalcanal region, during which he was primarily a traditional transport ship. From October 1942 to July 1943, Nisshin made numerous voyages on the Rabaul-Truk-Kure or Yokosuka routes. It was sunk on July 22, 1943 as a result of an attack by American aviation.