Aoshima A001229 1/700 Landing Vehicle Carrier Akitsumaru STD

Akitsu Maru was an I.J.N landing craft depot ship and escort aircraft carrier, and is also considered to be the first amphibious assault ship. The ship was fitted with a flight deck above the ull, but had no hangar so the aircraft were stored below the flight deck on the original main deck. She was completed in January 1942 and took part in the Java landing operation in February of the same year. In 1943 it was equipped with the Kayaba Ka-1, an autogyro for anti-submarine uses. The Akitsu Maru was sunk by the submarine Queenfish on 15 November 1944 while she engaged in Philippines operation assigned to Convoy Hi-81.