Hatsutaka-class minelayer

The was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. There were three sub-classes, as well.

Design

• The Hastutaka-class minelayer was a reinforced model of the Shirataka. The Harima Zōsen Corporation dealt with all of the Hatsutaka-class.

Ships in classes

<small>Hatsutaka-class</small>

• Project number was H12. First production model of the Hatsutaka-class. Two vessels were built in 1938-40 under the Maru 3 Programme (Ship # 7 - 8). They were equipped with 4 × 40&nbsp;mm quick-firing guns for anti-submarine warfare.

<small>Wakataka-class</small>

• Project number was H12B. Second production model of the Hatsutaka-class. Only 1 vessel was built under the Maru 4 Programme (Ship # 102). She was equipped with 2 × anti-aircraft cannons. The Wakataka was classed in the Hatsutaka-class in the IJN official documents. The IJN called her the unofficially.

<small>Asadori-class</small>

• Project number was H12C. The Navy Technical Department revised the Wakataka drawings. Only 1 vessel was planned under the Kai-Maru 5 Programme (Ship # 5039). The IJN called her the unofficially.

Photos

Footnotes

See also

• Japanese minelayer Shirataka

Bibliography

• Ships of the World special issue Vol.47, Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, , (Japan), March 1997
• Model Art Extra No.360, Drawings of Imperial Japanese Naval Vessels Part-2, (Japan), October 1989
• The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.42, Japanese minelayers, (Japan), August 1980
• Daiji Katagiri, Ship Name Chronicles of the Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet, Kōjinsha (Japan), June 1988,