World War II Database

1. Anonymous says:
30 Apr 2009 09:03:24 PM

Unfortunately for both crews of Yamato and Musashi, torpedos were their fate. Both these ships could take a beating from armored piercing from the sea or air, but you hit any ship enough on one side with torpedoes, you are going to roll her over. I dont care how heavy your side armor is and how much counter flooding you do. There is an old saying "a one legged duck can only swim in circles"

2. chris says:
30 Apr 2009 09:12:28 PM

Good shot very early before her #2 and #3 secondary turrets have been removed for anti aircraft guns have been installed.

3.  Bill says:
3 Jun 2016 06:32:13 PM

MUSASHI LIKE YAMOTO WAS BIG REALLY BIG:

Photo of the Musashi taken August 1942 looking from her bow toward her main 18.1 inch and 155mm secondary guns. Also in photo is Musashi's superstructure. Did you know at her launching on each side of the ship to stabilize her, were 285 tons of chains with a weight of 570 tons!
It took 5.4 million rivets, to construct her and 28 kilometers of welded seams not counting the miles of electrical conduit plus her 1,147 water-tight doors, fittings and all other machinery.
Did you know the builders of the Musashi and Yamoto had air-conditioning installed for the crew.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN:

Musashi had a top speed of 27 knots/50km/h or 31mph. Cruise at 16 knots/30km/h or 18mph she took on 6,300 tons of fuel oil giving her a 7,200 nautical mile range and 8,300 nautical mile range at 16 knots. Powered by (12) water boilers driving 4 x steam turbines w/150,000hp driving 4 x three bladed propellers. Fully loaded at 73,000 tons.

ARMOR:

Her armor belt was 16.1 inch thick and below this was another set of armor protection 9.1 to 7.9 inches thick. The main 18.1 inch gun turrets were 26 inches, the deck was 9.1 to 7.9 inch thick

ADDED ANTI-AIRCRAFT PROTECTION:

Later her port and starboard 155mm gun turrets were removed and replaced with 25mm triple mounts, added 25mm triple mounts and single-mount 25mm weapons. The total anti-aircraft weapons onboard, were 135 x 25mm guns.
If anybody has more info post it here, I'd like to read it.

4.  Bill says:
4 Jun 2016 07:04:18 PM

FLAGSHIP OF THE FLEET:

The Musashi replaced the Yamoto as flagship of the Combined Fleet early 1943. Did you know that the Musashi had 2 x 150 ton anchors located fore and aft. The cost of the Musashi was about
64.9 Million Yen

VISIT BY THE SON OF HEAVEN: TAKE THE TOUR

Japanese Emperor Hirohito and his staff went to visit the Musashi on June 24, 1943, the tour of the ship lasted two hours, during her overhaul, refitting and sea trials through August 1943. She later returned to Truk the large Japanese Naval Base in the Pacific.