Takao Class Heavy Cruiser Summary

This is a 3D printed sculpt of the Takao class heavy cruisers by EBard Models.

The Takao class was an evolution from the preceding Myōkō class, with heavier torpedo armament and a larger bridge structure. Like the Myōkō class, the ships were ostensibly intended to conform to the tonnage restrictions of the Washington Naval Treaty. Initially designed to weigh 9,850 long tons (10,010 t) the Takaos ended up overweight at 11,350 long tons (11,530 t). This markedly reduced their freeboard and stability in foul weather. The large tower bridge added to the instability, but the cause of much of the excess weight remains unclear, as many components were heavier than expected.

Their main battery was ten 20.3 cm (8 in) guns in five twin mounts. Three of the turrets were located before the bridge in a pyramidal distribution, with the other two aft of the main mast and aircraft handling facilities. 

They were also armed with eight 24 in (61 cm) torpedo tubes with rapid-reload arranged in four Type 89 twin mounts. After refitting two quadruple rapid-reload racks were added, one each to each side. 

The Takao-class cruisers were versatile warships and played a major role in many battles during the Pacific War. All four ships were involved in the Battle of Midway although none saw combat. Takao and Maya took part in the Aleutian Islands campaign as carrier escorts.

In 1944, all four ships took part in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, along with the two superbattleships Yamato and Musashi, two fast battleships Kongō and Haruna, three light carriers, four other heavy cruisers, one light cruiser and seven destroyers. The four Takao-class ships were assigned to Vice Admiral Kurita's Center Force for the Battle of Leyte Gulf. The ships left Brunei on 22 October 1944 for what would be their last battle. On 23 October 1944, while passing through the Palawan Passage, the force was attacked by the submarines USS Darter and USS Dace. Darter attacked both Takao and Atago, hitting the former with three and the latter with four torpedoes. Atago was mortally damaged and sank rapidly, although Admiral Kurita survived the sinking. Takao was severely damaged and was escorted to Singapore by two destroyers, but after her arrival would never sail again. Dace sank Maya with a salvo of four torpedoes.

Chōkai continued with the main force unscathed during the Battle of the Sibuyan Sea. In the later action off Samar she was hit and crippled by gun fire, then attacked by American aircraft. The destroyer Fujinami took off Chōkai's survivors before scuttling the ship on the night of 25 October. Unfortunately Fujinami was also attacked by American carrier aircraft 2 days later, and her torpedoes were detonated by a bomb explosion. This explosion broke the destroyer in half, sinking with all hands, including the Chōkai survivors.

Ships of the Class:

• Takao - Captured in Singapore at war's end. Sunk as a target ship, 1946.
• Atago - Sunk in the Palawan Passage by the submarine USS Darter, 1944.
• Maya - Sunk in the Palawan Passage by the submarine USS Dace, 1944.
• Chokai - Scuttled during the Battle of Samar, 1944.

Customer Reviews

No Reviews Posted Yet - be the first! (write review)