(SUNOSAKI in 1943)
The IJN completed two types of aviation gasoline tankers, the SUNOSAKI and ASHIZURI-classes consisting of four ships in total. The ships were planned in the 1939 and 1940 constuction programs. Each ship was to provide underway replenishment for two fleet aircraft carriers with gasoline, ammunition, food, supplies and aircraft repair/parts shop. The SUNOSAKIs were fitted with a heavy-lift crane aft of the mainmast for handling spare aircraft engines.
SUNOSAKI was the lead ship of her two-ship class that included TAKASAKI. Three other ships of the class were cancelled before they were laid down. SUNOSAKI and TAKASAKI were completed in 1943, but by then they were needed to transfer fuel from the East Indies to Japan. Both were sunk by American forces in 1944.
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| Builder and Year Completed: |
Mitsubishi, Yokohama, 1943. |
| Displacement: |
4,465-tons. |
| Dimensions: |
334.6' x 49.2' x 16.4' |
| Propulsion: |
2 MAN-type diesel engines, 2 shafts, 4,500 s.h.p., maximum speed 16 knots |
| Cargo Capacity: | 4,000-tons gasoline
1,080-tons light oil or water
440-tons tons ammunition, etc. |
| Armament: |
2 x 120-mm/45 cal. type 10 guns
2 x 25mm type 96 AA guns. |
