Shinano: Japanese Special Aircraft Carrier 1944
Short YouTube Video
Key Features
- Shinano introduces a new type of plane squadron: skip bombers armed with armor-piercing (AP) bombs.
- These bombs behave similarly to high-explosive (HE) skip bombs in terms of attack patterns.
- However, the AP bombs lose penetration and lower their arming threshold with each skip.
- For maximum effectiveness, consider hitting enemy battleships with the first skip, while lightly armored ships can be targeted with second or third skips.
- Shinano’s second squadron consists of torpedo bombers.
- Each torpedo bomber squad has 9 planes and attacks in groups of 3.
- The third squadron comprises tactical HE dive bombers equipped with a Smoke Curtain Generator.
- This generator creates a smoke screen to provide cover or disrupt enemy visibility.
- Shinano faces limitations, including a limited hangar capacity.
- Additionally, her planes are outdated and have low hit points (HP).
- However, her quick hangar restoration time helps mitigate these weaknesses.
Gameplay
- As a Shinano captain, prioritize aggressive positioning on the battlefield.
- Utilize the ship’s armor effectively to withstand incoming damage.
- Take advantage of the tactical squadron’s Smoke Curtain Generator to secure advantageous positions.
- Shinano’s squadrons have a small size but pack a high alpha strike
- To maximize damage output, focus on fast plane cycling.
- Engage enemies from relatively close range to maintain consistent attacks.
- Look for targets that are actively engaged with your teammates.
- Both regular squadron types (skip bombers and torpedo bombers) perform best when attacking broadside targets.
- Coordinate with your team to capitalize on vulnerable enemy ships.
Shinano Info
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X Shinano
36,000 Steel JapanHow to Obtain
To obtain the 10 Japanese Aircraft Carrier (CV) Shinano during Update 13.11 in World of Warships:
- Steel Event Availability:
- Cost: 36,000 Steel
- Includes:
- "Made of Steel" permanent camouflage
- Shinano flag
- 30-day account boost
- Post-Event Availability:
- Shinano will remain in the Armory for purchase with Steel after the Steel Event concludes, but without the additional event rewards.
Armor
Air Wing
Torpedo Bombers (B7A Ryūsei) Level 8
Torpedo Stats:
Skip Bombers (B7A Ryūsei) Level 8
Bomb Stats:
Dive Bombers (J5N Tenrai) Level 10
Bomb Stats:
Smoke Curtain Generator - Squadron Consumable
Depth Charge Airstrike (Auto)
Secondary Armament
Anti Aircraft Defence
Long Range:
12x28 120 mm AA Rocket: Wiki Details
Short Range:
40x1 25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount:
Mobility
Detection
Available Consumables
The Sinking of the Japanese Aircraft Carrier Shinano: A Historic Loss in World War II
World War II was an era marked by many intense naval confrontations, and among the more compelling stories of this time is the sinking of the Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano. Built with high ambitions, the Shinano would ultimately be remembered not for her battles but for her fate at the bottom of the ocean—a fate sealed by torpedoes from the USS Archerfish. Here’s a look at the fascinating history of the Shinano and her untimely end.
The Origins of Shinano: A Massive and Unique Carrier
The Shinano began life as one of the largest warships ever constructed by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Originally conceived as a Yamato-class battleship, the design changed midway through construction due to the shifting demands of the war. As the Pacific battles increasingly relied on air power, Japan realized the strategic importance of aircraft carriers. As a result, they converted the Shinano from a battleship to a massive aircraft carrier, intended to support the smaller carriers and become a floating fortress for Japan’s navy.
With a planned displacement of 72,000 tons, Shinano was the largest aircraft carrier of its time—so large, in fact, that she held the title of largest aircraft carrier in the world until the advent of American supercarriers in the 1950s. The carrier was designed with an armored deck, similar to a battleship, to withstand bomb and torpedo strikes. Japanese strategists planned to use Shinano as a "support carrier," outfitted to carry parts and supplies to repair aircraft from other carriers.
Rush to Completion: A Vessel Not Yet Ready for Battle
By 1944, Japan's position in the Pacific was dire. The Japanese Navy had suffered significant losses, and the Americans were closing in. In desperation, the Japanese accelerated Shinano’s construction, hoping she could tip the scales. However, in their haste, they sacrificed thorough testing and training. When she was finally launched on November 19, 1944, Shinano was far from fully ready for combat. Basic water-tightening and damage-control measures were incomplete.
Shinano was assigned a minimal escort and was to be delivered to the naval base at Kure to complete her outfitting. She left the Yokosuka shipyard on November 28, 1944, with her crew and a complement of soldiers, many of whom were still learning the basics of operating such a complex vessel.
The Fatal Encounter: USS Archerfish and the Pursuit
The USS Archerfish, an American submarine under the command of Commander Joseph F. Enright, was patrolling off Japan’s eastern coast when it detected Shinano. Initially, Enright thought he had encountered a destroyer escorting a small group of ships. It wasn’t until he observed the profile and size of the vessel that he realized he was looking at an aircraft carrier—one that no American sailor had ever seen before.
Commander Enright made a bold decision to shadow Shinano, waiting for the right moment to strike. He knew this was likely the only chance he’d get. After several hours, in the early morning hours of November 29, 1944, Archerfish maneuvered into position and fired six torpedoes at the behemoth carrier.
The Torpedo Strikes: Shinano’s Fatal Blows
Four out of the six torpedoes struck Shinano, causing catastrophic damage to her unprepared and poorly tested hull. Despite her armored deck, Shinano was vulnerable below the waterline. The damage-control crews struggled to contain flooding, but the rushed construction had left too many weak spots. Bulkheads buckled, and water continued to pour in, overwhelming the crew’s ability to respond.
Shinano’s captain, Toshio Abe, tried to reach shallow waters in an attempt to beach the carrier and save the ship. But the flooding proved too extensive, and within hours, it became clear that she would not survive. Around 10:00 AM, after a relentless struggle to save her, Shinano capsized and sank, taking with her more than a thousand crew members and soldiers.
The Significance of Shinano’s Sinking
The sinking of Shinano was a major blow to the Imperial Japanese Navy. Not only was she the largest aircraft carrier ever built, but she also held symbolic importance. Her loss represented a tactical failure for Japan at a time when the country was already on the defensive. For the United States, the success of the USS Archerfish in sinking such a massive carrier underscored the effectiveness of American submarines, which had become a powerful force in the Pacific Theater.
Commander Enright and his crew were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for their successful and daring attack on the Shinano. The sinking remains one of the most remarkable submarine victories in history, largely due to the sheer size and significance of the target.
Shinano’s Legacy
Although she was operational for less than a day, the Shinano’s story remains a testament to the intense pressures of wartime shipbuilding and the strategic shifts that marked World War II. Her rushed construction, ill-prepared defenses, and quick demise highlight both the ambitious aspirations and the vulnerabilities of Japan’s war strategy as the tide turned against them.
The sinking of Shinano serves as a reminder of the high stakes of naval warfare in the Pacific and the unpredictable nature of war itself. Today, her wreck lies on the ocean floor, a silent monument to the brave sailors who fought on both sides and a symbol of the formidable power—and limitations—of wartime innovation.
