Today, we’ll be taking a look at IJN Amagi — an advanced Japanese battlecruiser design whose construction began in 1920 but was ultimately never completed due to adverse circumstances.
IJN Amagi: A Battlecruiser for Japan at Rank VI
At a glance:
- Deadly 410 mm primary guns!
- Excellent mobility.
- Decent protection.
- Poor AA capability.
In the early 1920s, the Imperial Japanese Navy made plans to construct a new class of four battlecruisers.The ships were planned to be fitted with 16’’ primary guns, feature reasonable protection and excellent speed. Construction was approved and work began in the early 1920s, with Amagi as the lead ship of the class being laid down in December 1920. However, after the Washington Naval Treaty went into effect in 1922, Japan was no longer allowed to finish construction of the new battlecruisers. Instead, the first two ships under construction were reordered as aircraft carriers while the remaining two were canceled altogether due to the restrictions imposed by the treaty. In 1923 however, the Great Kanto earthquake severely damaged the hull of the Amagi, which was afterwards deemed irreparable. As a result, the ship ended up being sold for scrap. Amagi’s sistership however, IJN Akagi, successfully completed the reconstruction into an aircraft carrier and would go on to serve the Japanese navy up until its sinking at the Battle of Midway in 1942.
Meet the IJN Amagi!
IJN Amagi will soon become the latest bluewater ship to join the top ranks of the Japanese naval tree in the Dance of Dragons major update. Built with speed and firepower in mind, IJN Amagi truly embodies the concept of battlecruisers and will enable its prospective captains to embrace several different tactical approaches, depending on one’s own preference and battlefield dynamics. Keep on reading to find out more!
The upcoming arrival of IJN Amagi to the top ranks of the Japanese fleet will bring with it a unique twist. Sharing some core design principles with the Kongo class battleships that you may already be familiar with, IJN Amagi takes this concept and brings it to a truly new level. For example, this ship is outfitted with a total of ten twin 16’’ (410 mm) cannons, making it one of the most heavily armed capital ships in the game in terms of raw primary battery firepower with an impressive reload rate of 2.5 rounds per minute. This means you’ll be able to comfortably engage in gun duels with virtually any opponent they may encounter on the high seas.
In addition to the primary battery, IJN Amagi also comes equipped with 16 x 140 mm secondary and 4 x 120 mm anti-air cannons. A further 8 x 610 mm fixed torpedo launchers round off the warship’s impressive arsenal.
Interesting: Some of the main battery guns intended for use on the Amagi class battlecruisers were later on re-purposed for installation on coastal defense batteries.
In terms of gameplay, IJN Amagi can be compared to the Alaska and Kronshtadt battlecruisers. However, this new ship is better armed and protected, but loses to them in terms of air defense capabilities. IJN Amagi’s armor in some areas is close to that of a battleship, for example 254 mm thick in the main armor belt and 70 mm of deck armor allow you to use this ship for shooting at very far distances with a good chance of surviving a hit from an enemy battleship!
Use the hit and run tactic, firing several consecutive salvos with the main guns and then retreating if possible. Or if you’re ballsy, you could play actively and lead your teammate’s attack at a point, all while using the cover of allies air defenses, as the IJN Amagi’s own anti-aircraft defenses are very mediocre. Don’t get too close to enemy ships though, as due to its size, it’ll become an easy target for torpedoes and its armor will not be able to withstand them.
That’s today’s blog! IJN Amagi will soon become a common sight in War Thunder naval battles after it joins the top ranks of the Japanese bluewater fleet with the release of the Dance of Dragons major update. In the meantime, be sure to keep scanning the horizon for more news as we continue sharing the latest on what the upcoming update has in store for you. See you soon!
Please note that this vehicle’s characteristics may be changed before it is added to the game.
