Muro

Landlubber Mike
Thanks for looking in Gorby! Yeah, they had a few ships that were converted

The Akitsu Maru was originally intended as a passenger liner until it was taken over by the Imperial Japanese Army before completion. Interesting thing about the Akitsu Maru is that it was designed to carry planes as an escort carrier as well as vehicles for the IJA as a Type C landing craft depot ship. The planes were carried on platforms above the wooden deck (and under the flight deck), while vehicles were carried in the hull that exited through doors that opened in the stern (you can see one of the four doors in the picture). The ship also could carry landing craft in the hull, where the well deck could be flooded so the landing craft could float out of the ship.

gorby
Wow, remarkable ship.

Michael Kohl
Didn't know the subject, like the projekt, love to follow.

Landlubber Mike
Thanks Michael - glad to have you along!