As usual, there are a few notes to make. As I said in the video, Japan constantly made improvements to the island, this resulted in all of them being slightly different from one another, even within their own class. I use Soryu as the basis as its layout remained largely unchanged within the other carriers, including Hiyo's large island design. When discussing the layout, I pointed out major components, a few minor pieces of equipment were not mentioned. As with my video on Japanese battleship pagoda masts, this is meant to bring an understanding to the islands basic history and functionality, nothing in-depth. I hope you have enjoyed the video and learned something new.
I honestly would love to see you talk in more depth with these topics it's so interesting. Especially considering that I don't think anyone has ever covered the aspects of ships (like the island) the way you have. It's also super relaxing to watch you and Skynea history's videos.
Thank you for explaining the reasoning for the placement of the Island superstructure on the Port side. That is something that perplexed myself as a teenager in the 1960’s. 👍🏻🏴🇺🇸
I cannot imagine that Hiryu's flight deck level of it's island was used solely as a passageway. We may never know what was put there, due to the loss of records from the end of the war, but there is no way any designer would assign the extra top weight involved in raising the island a whole deck and not use the space for something, esp post 4th fleet/Tomozuru. If the goal was simply to get the spaces higher, the island would have it's footprint reduced and spaces not needing the elevation (eg w/t room) placed in the lower level.) Even if the designer didn't assign the space a function, it's going to be claimed by the crew for some purpose - that's prime real estate. I expect pilot briefing space, offices, flag space, pilot ready room, or maybe flight deck damcon stores.
couldnt have come at a better time while I began modelling akagi, there is relatively little info on the superstructure of these ships so seeing a video specifically for islands was a blessing
I was going to ask if you could explain the halls and funnels on or around/in the tower. Good video, sir. Tower placement is something I never considered. I just remember seeing Japanese ships with huge armored floors above the flight decks.
First off I am glad you were able to converse with Royal Naval Stydy/Tudor enthusiast again, he is such a great support for you. I always liked the small bridge superstructures of the Japanese aircraft carriers, like those on the escort carriers, because I thought that they would be a little more difficult too hit than larger islands. For the canted funnels of Taiho, the Hiyo's, and Shinano, what I had read was that it was easier for the aviators to retune to the carrier because the exaust wasn't obscuring their view, and that it wouldn't affect the crew on the ship, please correct me if I'm mistaken. The first aircraft carrier to adopt the canted funnel was that of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 67), and then was adopted on the final Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), and the America class amphibious assault ship. Take care, and all the best.
My guess is that .50 caliber rounds wouldn't be stopped or slowed down very much by rolled mattresses. It might have caught ricochets and small splinters, but not much more than that. Of course, it turned out the greatest dangers to the islands on IJN carriers were bombs, secondary explosions and fires, not bullets. Good video on an interesting if obscure topic.
Not going to be stopped at all. Slowed maybe more than you might expect - A thick layer of anything often provides more bullet protection than a thin layer of metal, and cotton bales were very effective against rifle caliber. I do wonder how much more threat strafing runs might have been against japanese carrier islands if the US pilots had been aware of the lack of plate there - Japanese planes strafed US ships superstructure frequently to little effect, while I have only heard of one incident where a US aircraft employed guns against the superstucture of a Non- submarine military vessel.
As usual, there are a few notes to make. As I said in the video, Japan constantly made improvements to the island, this resulted in all of them being slightly different from one another, even within their own class. I use Soryu as the basis as its layout remained largely unchanged within the other carriers, including Hiyo's large island design. When discussing the layout, I pointed out major components, a few minor pieces of equipment were not mentioned. As with my video on Japanese battleship pagoda masts, this is meant to bring an understanding to the islands basic history and functionality, nothing in-depth.
I hope you have enjoyed the video and learned something new.
I honestly would love to see you talk in more depth with these topics it's so interesting.
Especially considering that I don't think anyone has ever covered the aspects of ships (like the island) the way you have.
It's also super relaxing to watch you and Skynea history's videos.
As a lover of WW2 Japanese carrier design, I think this video is briliant and brings to youtube this rather obscure topic.
Thank you additionally for explaining the protection afforded to the distinctively famous Island superstructures.
Thank you for explaining the reasoning for the placement of the Island superstructure on the Port side. That is something that perplexed myself as a teenager in the 1960’s. 👍🏻🏴🇺🇸
Thank you for this informative piece. Your channel goes from strength to strength
Really interesting info. Thanks!!
Great general breakdown of the different types of island used by the IJN on their carriers, Crosser.
I cannot imagine that Hiryu's flight deck level of it's island was used solely as a passageway. We may never know what was put there, due to the loss of records from the end of the war, but there is no way any designer would assign the extra top weight involved in raising the island a whole deck and not use the space for something, esp post 4th fleet/Tomozuru.
If the goal was simply to get the spaces higher, the island would have it's footprint reduced and spaces not needing the elevation (eg w/t room) placed in the lower level.)
Even if the designer didn't assign the space a function, it's going to be claimed by the crew for some purpose - that's prime real estate.
I expect pilot briefing space, offices, flag space, pilot ready room, or maybe flight deck damcon stores.
Thanks again
couldnt have come at a better time while I began modelling akagi, there is relatively little info on the superstructure of these ships so seeing a video specifically for islands was a blessing
Good information on something I knew little about
Fascinating
Thank you.
Outstanding research! Very interesting video.
Very well done. Keep up the good work.
The Combat Information Center, CIC is important as well.
Thanks 👍
Love your content
Outstanding video- AS USUAL...
I was going to ask if you could explain the halls and funnels on or around/in the tower. Good video, sir. Tower placement is something I never considered. I just remember seeing Japanese ships with huge armored floors above the flight decks.
Great video I wonder how they stored there weapons especially torpedoes etc .
Would make a great diarama
I have read that the problem with their islands was that they were small and cramped. This interfered with functionality a little bit.
I too always thought that the rolled mattresses were sand bags. Good to know.
I’m curious what book did you use when showing us the interior of the island? Also wonderful video !
I second that question.
First off I am glad you were able to converse with Royal Naval Stydy/Tudor enthusiast again, he is such a great support for you.
I always liked the small bridge superstructures of the Japanese aircraft carriers, like those on the escort carriers, because I thought that they would be a little more difficult too hit than larger islands. For the canted funnels of Taiho, the Hiyo's, and Shinano, what I had read was that it was easier for the aviators to retune to the carrier because the exaust wasn't obscuring their view, and that it wouldn't affect the crew on the ship, please correct me if I'm mistaken.
The first aircraft carrier to adopt the canted funnel was that of the USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 67), and then was adopted on the final Wasp class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), and the America class amphibious assault ship.
Take care, and all the best.
My guess is that .50 caliber rounds wouldn't be stopped or slowed down very much by rolled mattresses. It might have caught ricochets and small splinters, but not much more than that. Of course, it turned out the greatest dangers to the islands on IJN carriers were bombs, secondary explosions and fires, not bullets.
Good video on an interesting if obscure topic.
Not going to be stopped at all. Slowed maybe more than you might expect - A thick layer of anything often provides more bullet protection than a thin layer of metal, and cotton bales were very effective against rifle caliber. I do wonder how much more threat strafing runs might have been against japanese carrier islands if the US pilots had been aware of the lack of plate there - Japanese planes strafed US ships superstructure frequently to little effect, while I have only heard of one incident where a US aircraft employed guns against the superstucture of a Non- submarine military vessel.
First
Informative. Thanks for posting.