#716 IJN Military Transports

Building the No.1 and No.101 landing ships 輸送艦 from the Tamiya Military Transport set. No electronics or base for this - saving for a future diorama.

Build

Notes

In June 1943, after its defeat in the Guadalcanal Campaign, the IJN realized it needed high-speed military transport vessels, and designed two classes of ship in response. Prior to this, they had lost too many destroyers employed as transporters. These high-speed transport vessels were actually developed by the IJN and IJA in cooperation(!).

No.1-class landing ship (第一号型輸送艦,, Dai 1 Gō-gata Yusōkan)

a 1500 ton mothership of the Daihatsu-class landing craft and Kō-hyōteki-class submarines
Their primary role was that of a transporter, however since their armaments were strong they were useful as multi-purpose ships at the front, functioning as transporters, as minelayers and as escort ships.
Most of these vessels were sent to the Battle of Leyte and transportation duty of the Bonin Islands.

No.101-class landing ship (第百一号型輸送艦,, Dai 101 Gō-gata Yusōkan)

a 900-ton amphibious assault ship
Most of the Navy vessels took part in the Battle of Leyte, where 18 of them were lost. Most, however, succeeded in landing their tanks and troops.
a detailed record of the vessels in the Army service is not known to exist.
Tokusetsu-Yusokan IJN T.101 Class Landing Ship Tank IJN LST T.149: Tabular Record of Movement
- many visits to Singapore’s Seletar naval port
- including 101st Naval Repair Facility at Singapore.