They succeeding in shrinking the length of the citadel to a mere 55% of the ship’s overall length, a remarkable achievement. Japanese designers took this a step further by seeking ways to make the vitals even smaller, allowing for the armour protection to be enhanced to its absolute maximum. When using the “All or Nothing Principle”, the armour was to be condensed to the vitals. A monstrous amount of armor to protect from some serious w eaponry. The deck was designed to resist the momentum of a 1000kg (2200lb) bomb dropped from 3,400 meters. This armour scheme was sufficient to provide an immunity zone against 46cm (18.1″) shells at ranges between 21,800 and 32,800 yards. The upper section of the citadel was covered by the armoured deck (7.9″ – 9″). The citadel was flanked by the armoured belt (16″ & angled at 20 degrees) and capped by the armoured traverse bulkheads (11.8″ – 13.4″) forward and aft. Therefore, the most vulnerable areas of the Yamato class (Magazines, machinery) were encased in a heavily armoured box known as a citadel. This ensured that Armor was maximized at the areas that needed it most while it was minimized in less important areas of the battleship. Yamato class were the first production battleships in Japan to adopt the “All or Nothing” armour principle. Almost 23,000 tons of armour was used on the Yamato class and Japanese designers intensively studied the most effective methods for utilizing this armour. Comprehensive Armor LayoutĪs a warship designed to engage the most powerful battleships likely to be brought against it, the Yamato class featured a tremendous amount of armor protection. A great achievement for Japanese designers! 2. In addition, the layout was excellent and the equipment inside was superb. The Yamato class enjoyed one of the most compact turrets available to a battleship despite the fact that it carried the largest naval guns ever mounted to a battleship. This system reduced the number of men working inside the turret and allowed for an excellent rate of fire of up to one round per 30 seconds, though 35 seconds was more practical. A person would not have to touch any of the powder bags while loading the gun. A separate rammer would then ram all six charges into the chamber with a single stroke. This allowed the powder tray to lift all six powder bags, each weighing 121.25lbs (55kg), into position behind the breech. Then, the cradle would retract backwards. The entire cradle then slid forward on rails, moving the tray to the breech where it would be rammed inside the chamber. The shells, weighing up to 3,218lbs, were lifted up to a tray at the end of the cradle. The Yamato class utilized a unique sliding cradle behind each gun. That is an impressive feat of engineering unto itself.Įven more impressive than the size of the turret was the equipment inside of it. However, despite the immense weight of the turret and the massive 18.1″ (46cm) guns inside of it, the overall size was impressively compact.Ĭompare the turret of the Yamato class with the American Iowa class battleships:ĭespite the larger guns and heavier armor, the Yamato class turret was not that much larger than that found on the Iowa class. Carrying three guns that weighed over 360,000lbs apiece and a massive slab of armour that was almost 26″ thick would result in a hefty turret. ![]() At just over 2,730 tons, it is little surprise that the biggest battleship carried the biggest turrets. Her aft 46cm gun turret is easily seen in the picture.Ī popular description of the turrets of the Yamato class is that they weighed more than a destroyer. ![]() Yamato undergoing fitting out at the Kure Naval Arsenal on September 20, 1941. Soon to be the biggest battleship in the world. The result was the most advanced turret design ever fitted to a Japanese battleship as well as one of the most impressive among any navy. Japanese designers lavished incredible attention to the layout of the turret. In addition, to protect against the most powerful guns that the Allies could muster would require armour of exceptional thickness. To accommodate three of the gigantic 18.1″ (46cm) guns, the Yamato class required an equally large turret. The Yamato class was the first battleship to utilize 18.1″ guns as well as the first Japanese battleship to carry triple gun turrets for the main battery. In this article, we will look at five great features of the Yamato class battleships! Without any delay, let us begin. However, there was so much more to these battleships that is less known to many. Popularly known as the biggest battleship to ever go to sea and carrying the most powerful guns, it is little wonder why these dreadnoughts are so endearing. The Yamato class battleships hold a special place in naval history.
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