Aircraft Carrier Shimosa

Aircraft Carrier Shimosa was the third of the Tōtōmi class battleships built and used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War. Unlike her sister ships, Shimosa was converted into an aircraft carrier early during her construction.

Shimosa was placed as part of the Japanese 10th Fleet, where she was the longest serving carrier of the fleet.

Design
The Tōtōmi-class Battleships were designed as part of 'Program K' launched by the Empire of Japan after the end of the Washington Naval Treaty.

The Tōtōmi-class Battleships were designed similarly to the Yamato-class, but were designed to be smaller, lighter and much more maneuverable than it.

Shimosa was converted halfway after her hull was finished.

She had a displacement of 49,000 long tons and had a top speed of 28 knots, similar to her unconverted sister ships.

She was able to carry 90 aircraft, most being B6K Torpedo bombers.

She originally carrier four 12.7cm twin guns utilized by the Program K Destroyers but was later removed in favour of more storage. Like her battleship counterparts, she carried numerous Anti-Aircraft guns and had submerged torpedo tubes on her stern.

Her flight deck size was noted by the Imperial Japanese Navy due to its odd shape and size, as it was larger on the rear and smaller on the front.

Initial Operations
Along with the Muteki and Totomi she started construction on the same year and was the last ship to be built of her class.

She was converted to a carrier halfway through her construction due to the lack of carriers for the 10th Fleet which was to be formed after the creation of the Totomi.

She was launched in 1941 a few days apart from her sister ship, Muteki and was quickly commissioned.

Operation Paramount
TBA