Rare photo of aircraft transport with flight deck Kumano Maru.

Built by Hitachi for the Imperial Japanese Army. Laid down 15 Aug 1944, launched 28 Jan 1945, completed 30 March 1945.

Never became operational. Served as a repatriation ship postwar, then reconverted as a merchant ship. Possibly scrapped at Kobe 11/1947 to 9/1948.

Displacement: 8,128 tons standard

Dimensions: 501 x 70.5 x 23 feet/153.7 x 21.5 x 7 meters

Air deck: 110 x 21.5 meters

Propulsion: Steam turbines, 4 boilers, 2 shafts, 10,000 shp, 19 knots

Endurance: 6000 miles @ 17 kts

Crew: ??

Armor: none

Armament: 8 75 mm, 6 25 mm

Aircraft: 37

Concept/Program: Another Army conversion, generally similar to the previous class in role and design.

Design/Conversion: Generally similar to Akitsu Maru. It is not known whether a hangar was installed; there was a funnel in the center of the flight deck, and apparently no bridge. Kumano Maru had a lift however, contrary to Akitsu and Nigitsu Maru.