Japanese Ships – Colors & Camouflage

[Tanaka]

Wow really amazing work! Are these available to download and use? If so instructions?

[Kull]

Thanks, but it's still a work-in-process. Once everythings ready (and that won't be soon), I'll make it available as a single drag-drop-overwrite zip file. One of the benefits of a slow-but-steady approach is that my "art skill" continues to improve, so many of the already-previewed shipsides are likely to be tweaked, hopefully for the better. As an example, here are revised shipsides for the already previewed LSD Shinsu Maru. For such an important ship, it needed a better look:

[Kull]

Kyushu Type (5 classes):

1) Kyushu Cargo (xAK): 32 ships in this class, all in-game on 12/41. A single bmp file (0252.bmp), shared with Kyushu AKE class and 2 ships of the Kongo Maru AMC class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to Kyushu AS (0281.bmp) or Sanyo AV (0049.bmp) in 12/41, to Kyushu AKE (same bmp) or Kyushu AR (0281.bmp) in 4/42, and to Kyushu AK in 6/42 (0318.bmp). Worth noting that even though they share a bmp file, the xAK class cannot upgrade to the Kongo Maru AMC class. There are four instances of camouflage in this class (3 Dazzle, 1 Bow-wave).

2) Kyushu AKE (AKE): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0252.bmp), shared with Kyushu Cargo (xAK) class and 2 ships of the Kongo Maru AMC class. One database entry (4/42). Has all the same conversion opportunities as the xAK class (to include the ability to convert back to xAK). Oddly, it can also upgrade to the Kyushu class AK (0318.bmp) on 12/43 (even though it can make the conversion to the same class in 6/42).

3) Kyushu AS (AS): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0281.bmp), shared with Kyushu AR class. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert (once a ship is converted to Kyushu AS, it stays there).

4) Kyushu AR (AR): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0281.bmp), shared with Kyushu AS class. One database entry (4/42). Cannot upgrade or convert (once a ship is converted to Kyushu AR, it stays there).

5) Kyushu (AK): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0318.bmp), not shared. Two database entries (6/42 & 12/43) and no conversions (once a ship is converted to Kyushu AK, it stays there).

As we look at the possibility of applying early war camouflage to the Kyushus, there is a certain parallel with the Yusen-A types. The Kyushus start off as xAKs, but can convert to other classes very early in the game. Most players will convert a couple of their Kyushus to the AS types immediately, several to ARs in April '42, and ultimately the majority of the rest to the AK variant in June '42 (after the early war bonus expires, the amphibious unloading rate of AK vs. xAK is so superior that conversion is simply a no-brainer). Accordingly, as with the Yusen-A, eventually the only ships using the 0252.bmp file will be the AMCs and possibly an AKE or two. The difference however, is the Kongo Maru AMC class DOES have a ship with Dazzle camouflage (Kiyozumi Maru). So rather than discuss it here, we'll wait until the AMCs are previewed. As a bit of a "teaser", I will just note that the Dazzle shipside has already been created and looks identical to the photo in the Motoyuki model (see #1).

That still leaves 4 Kyushu camo ships. Giving camo to the AK class is not an option since the majority of Kyushus will eventually convert to the AK class, and that means far too many ships would have it. However, there are still the AS and AR classes. As noted above, there are no ships in either class (they must be converted from xAK), they share an art file (281.bmp) which is not used by any other ships, and the inherent value of the xAK-to-AK conversion means that very few ships will be converted to either auxiliary. Accordingly camouflage is appropriate here, and the most interesting pattern belongs to Kansai Maru (#2). The photo of the Kansai Maru camo couldn't be clearer, and Motoyuki notes that it's an "image of June 42". The TROM at combinedfleet.com doesn't mention camouflage, but there is a gap between 4-16-42 when the ship "Departs Saigon for Singapore" and 6-3-42 when it's part of a convoy leaving Mutsure in Japan. Given the known correlation between Dazzle camo and ships based out of Singapore, it seems likely that Kansai Maru's camo was applied sometime between April and May of 1942.

Correlating the armament is a bit tricky, so lets begin with the 0252.bmp file:
- Kongo Maru AMC: 14 cm Navy guns fore and aft (also R & L sides, although those are invisible - i.e. dual guns fore and aft, so you can only see one set on the shipside. All the AA is 13mm on the R & L (again invisible)
- Kyushu Cargo (xAK): Type 88 DP fore and aft. All the AA is 13mm on the R & L (again invisible)
- Kyushu AKE: 12 cm DP (front) and Type 88 DP (aft). Also has 25mm AA on the R & L sides.

This is a problem, as each class should have a different armament "look". However, since the majority of ships (32 vs 2) have the angled DP guns fore and aft, we'll use that from 12/41 through 8/42, by which point most of the xAK conversions should be complete. The AMC class receives it's camo in September 1942 (details on that will appear later) so that's a good time to shift the "armament look" to the level Navy guns. Also worth noting that both AMCs have native floatplanes aboard (not just the capability, but units as well). The xAKs and AKEs do not have floatplanes, but as with the 9/42 armament shift, that's probably a good time to add a visual floatplane to the shipside. Looking further out in time, it's likely that by mid-1944 (when ship colors typically shifted away from Dazzle to either greyish or green merchant camo), either one or both of these AMCs will have been sunk (commerce raiding or amphibious invasions tend to be more dangerous than sitting in a port), so the profile should shift back to the "AKE type" at that time.

Next is the armament for the 0281.bmp file:
- Kyushu AS: Type 88 DP fore and aft. Has 25mm and 13mm AA on the R & L (essentially invisible)
- Kyushu AR: 12 cm DP (front) and Type 88 DP (aft). Also has 25mm and 13mm AA on the R & L (essentially invisible).

This matches the existing shipside pretty well, but we'll move the rear guns a bit further aft to match those aboard Kansai Maru.

Last we have the armament for the 0318.bmp file (unique to the AK class):
- 6/42: Type 88 DP and 25mm AA fore and aft. Has 13mm AA on the R & L (essentially invisible)
- 12/43: Adds 25mm on the R & L

The existing shipside captures most of this, but there's a Motoyuki model of the Kyushu class Kashii Maru in green camo (#3), which shows the location of the 25mm AA at the rear of the superstructure, so we can add that to the 12/43 shipside.

Taking all this account, here's the foldered plan for each category:

1) Kyushu Cargo (xAK):

12/6/41 = The as-is purplish 0252.bmp file (#4)
9/1942 = Dazzle camo, altered guns, and floatplane file (will be previewed as an AMC)
9/1944 = Change to the late war "greyish-grey", revert guns, and remove floatplane (#5)

2) Kyushu AKE:
- Same system as Kyushu Cargo (can't be different since they share the same bmp file)

3) Kyushu AS:

12/6/41 = A new bluish-gray 0281.bmp file (#6). Typically all "navalized" ship conversions took place at the Japanese Naval Yards.
5/1942 = The new Dazzle camo & altered guns file (#7)
5/1944 = Change to the late war "greyish-grey" (#8)

4) Kyushu AR:
- Same system as Kyushu AS (can't be different since they share the same bmp file)

5) Kyushu (AK):

6/1942 = A new bluish-gray 0318.bmp file (#9). Typically all "navalized" ship conversions took place at the Japanese Naval Yards.
12/1943 = Add AA to the superstructure file (#10)
9/1944 = Change to the late war "green camo" (#11)

[Kull]

Yusen N Type (3 classes):

1) Yusen N Cargo (xAK): 57 ships in this class, all in-game on 12/41. A single bmp file (0254.bmp), shared with Yusen N AKE class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to Yusen N AKE (same bmp) in 5/42, and to Yusen N AK in 6/42 (0320.bmp). 11 of 57 have evidence of Dazzle camo - the most of any other class.

2) Yusen N AKE (AKE): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0254.bmp), shared with Yusen N Cargo (xAK) class. One database entry (5/42). Has all the same conversion opportunities as the xAK class (to include the ability to convert back to xAK). Similar to the Kyushu AKE upgrade/conversion options, it can upgrade to the second Yusen N AK (320.bmp) database configuration on 1/44, even though it can make a far earlier conversion to the same class in 6/42.

3) Yusen N (AK): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0320.bmp), not shared. Two database entries (6/42 & 1/44) and no conversions (once a ship is converted to Yusen N AK, it stays there).

This class grouping presents an interesting problem. Giving camo to (potentially) 57 individual ships seems a bit extreme, and my initial feeling was "no way". On the other hand there are ELEVEN examples of it (that we know of); more than both of the next largest classes combined (5 Yusen S and 4 Kyushu). So they really need to be in-game, although (to reiterate an earlier point), only 1 of the 11 patterns can be applied to any single class. On the plus side, that also means we don't have to pin down the exact date on which any particular ship received it's camo - knowing the earliest and oldest dates of all 11 gives us a range for applying and removing Dazzle camo for the whole Kyushu group (any date within that range is equally valid for this purpose). To that point, the earliest dated camouflage is that of Zenyo Maru in June 1942 while the latest is that of Keiyo Maru (April 1943). However, most of these ships were sunk in late 1942 during the Guadalcanal campaign - only two survived into 1944 - so the "end dates" for the Dazzle camo conceivably could have been later (had more of this class survived). Putting all that together, here's the plan:

- Use the foldered system so the Nagara Maru pattern (see #1) applies to the starting configuration (0254.bmp), but make it effective in August 1942 so it will only apply to the AKE version and any xAKs that haven't upgraded to AK. That puts it in-game, but only for a comparatively small group of ships in the Yusen-N class. By early 1944 it's unlikely that any xAKs will remain unconverted (which means the only ships using this bmp will be AKEs), and then we can shift the color scheme to a late war "greyish-grey". For armament, the existing shipside has front and rear DP guns, which is correct for both the xAK and AKE classes. The database (but not the shipside) also has R&L AA guns, but the models show these would be located on a portion of the superstructure which makes them invisible at this scale.

- Make the Yamazuki Maru pattern (#2) available to all ships which convert to AK (0320.bmp) but delay the appearance of the camo until November 1942 in order to give time for some of this class to be lost during operations. Even so, far more than 11 ships will display the Dazzle camo of this class, but the alternative is none. As I've noted in other instances, there's always going to be trade-offs when dealing with shipside visuals that are hard-coded to be identical. The reality is that many in-game ship classes are largely an AE-construct, and are thus a composite of similar-yet-different ships. So we play the hand we're dealt, recognizing that 100% verisimilitude is not achievable (and not just with camo). For the late war colors, Motoyuki has modeled five (of 17) Yusen-N types which were still afloat after July 1944, and all of them are sporting green merchant camo (the Noto Maru model is a good example, see #3). As to armament, the initial AK-type database configuration has Type 88 DP guns and 25 mm AA at front and rear which matches the existing shipside. The 1/44 upgrade adds additional 25 mm AA to L&R, which several models indicate would be located on an elevated u-shaped platform surrounding the funnel. There are several examples of this, such as those on the Nako Maru and Zenyo Maru (#4).

Given all of the above, here's the foldered plan for each category:

1) Yusen N Cargo (xAK):

12/6/41 = The as-is purplish 0254.bmp file (#5)
8/1942 = The new Dazzle camo file (#6)
4/1944 = Change to the late war "greyish-grey" (#7)

2) Yusen N AKE:
- Same system as Yusen N Cargo (can't be different since they share the same bmp file)

3) Yusen N (AK):

6/1942 = A new bluish-gray 0320.bmp file (#8). Typically all "navalized" ship conversions took place at the Japanese Naval Yards.
11/1942 = The new Dazzle camo file (#9)
1/1944 = Add u-shaped AA platform atop the superstructure (#10)
10/1944 = Change to the late war "green merchant camo" (#11)

[Kull]

Yusen S Type (2 classes):

1) Yusen S Cargo (AK): 10 ships in this class, all in-game on 12/41. A single bmp file (0251.bmp), shared with the Kinryu Maru AMC class (1 ship). One database entry (12/41). Can upgrade to Yusen S AK in 6/42 (0317.bmp). 5 of 10 have evidence of Dazzle camo - the second largest group to use this type of camo.

2) Yusen S (AK): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0317.bmp), not shared. Two database entries (6/42 & 10/43) and no conversions.

Similar to the initial Kyushu & Yusen A types, the Yusen S Cargo ships share their bmp with an AMC. And likewise, we can expect that most of the Yusen S Cargo class will soon upgrade to the next level, so that ultimately we can shift the 0251.bmp entirely over to the AMC class. As with the Yusen N types, the profusion of ships with Dazzle suggests that we can base the camouflage upon the earliest and oldest dates of all 5. Unfortunately their combinedfleet TROMs contain no mention of camo (although several had early stints in Singapore), and ALL of them were sunk in October-November 1942 (so the transition away from Dazzle could have been much later, had any survived into the late war). There's only a single example of green merchant camo, albeit none of the Yusen S types lasted beyond late 1944. Not a lot to go on, but this is still a class in which 50% of the ships were known to have Dazzle camo, so there are some interesting options:

- Only a minor change to the 0251.bmp at first (colors are OK, but the front Type 88 gun is slightly smaller than portrayed), and then in April 1942 switch in a camo shipside based on the Sasako Maru Dazzle camo (see #1). Later in August or September (after most of the AKs have upgraded to the next level and the 0351.bmp) switch in a shipside based on the physical profile of an AMC. By this point, the only ships using the 0251.bmp will be the Kinryu Maru AMC class, so we can defer that analysis until the AMCs are previewed.

- The 0317.bmp starts off with Sagami Maru Dazzle (#2), switching to a "greyish-grey" in early 1944. For armament, the initial database configuration has two each of the Type 88 DP guns and 25mm AA at front and rear. According to the models (and several photos), this is achieved by having 4 gun platforms each at the stem and stern, so we'll add those. The 10/43 upgrade puts additional 25mm AA to port and starboard (L&R), and, just as we saw with the Yusen N AKs, this class of ship has many elevated u-shaped platforms surrounding the funnel - Sado Maru and Hirokawa Maru (#3) are just two examples. Lastly, since these AKs have the most troop-carrying capability of any Japanese AKs, we'll indicate that by stacking the Daihatsu barges. I think BigB was the first to do this, applying it to a number of the Allied ships in his Direct Replacement Allied Ships, and it's a good look - something I might extend to some of the already-previewed shipsides (and if you haven't installed his new art, well, you're missing out!)

Anyway, here's the foldered plan for each category:

1) Yusen S Cargo (AK):

12/6/41 = The slightly revised purplish 0251.bmp file (#4)
4/1942 = The new Dazzle camo file (#5)
9/1942 = Altered physical profile (will be previewed as an AMC)

2) Yusen S (AK):

6/1942 = The new Dazzle camo & additional gun platforms 0317.bmp file (#6)
10/1943 = Add AA to the superstructure file (#7)
3/1944 = Change to the late war "greyish-grey" (#8)

[Kull]

As we move on to the remaining Merchant ship classes, fair warning that there is no evidence of Dazzle Camo for any of them, so this next series of reviews will be a bit boring. Yeah, I'm not happy either. Let's face it, if not for my desperate desire to see Japanese Dazzle ships in-game, I wouldn't be doing this! Fortunately that doesn't mean we're done with Dazzle......just wait until the Auxiliaries return! Anyway, next up is the Husimi Type, for which there are only two Motoyuki models (the one nearest in appearance to the shipside is the Mexico Maru - see #1).

Husimi Type (6 classes):

1) Husimi Cargo (xAK): 25 ships. A single bmp file (0255.bmp), shared with Husimi AKE class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all 5 of the other Husimi classes.
2) Husimi AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0255.bmp), shared with Husimi Cargo class. One database entry (3/42). Can convert to all 5 of the other Husimi classes.
3) Husimi AS: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0283.bmp), shared with Husimi AR class. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert.
4) Husimi AR: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0283.bmp), shared with Husimi AS class. One database entry (5/42). Cannot upgrade or convert.
5) Husimi (AK): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0321.bmp), not shared. Two database entries (6/42 & 2/44). Cannot convert.
6) Husimi AV: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0051.bmp), not shared. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert.

Colors & Profile:
- 0255.bmp: 2 classes use this bmp, most of which are the xAK type. Current version is "purplish" (fine for an xAK), shifting to "merchant green" camo late in 1944 (#2). Armament is correct for both xAK and AKE classes.
- 0283.bmp: 2 classes use this bmp, AS and AR (Auxiliaries). Current version is the same purplish as 255.bmp, so it should change to a bluish-grey (#3), moving to a grayish tone (#4) in late 1943. Armament is correct for both classes.
- 0321.bmp: 1 class uses this bmp, an AK (Troop-Cargo). Current version is the same purplish as 255.bmp, so it should change to bluish-grey (#5). Then shift to "merchant green" camo (#7) late in 1944. Has visible Daihatsu and correct armament for 6/42, while the 2/44 upgrade (#6) will need a platform atop the superstructure (just aft of the bridge) to account for the new 25mm AA to port and starboard (see the Tasmania Maru example - #8).
- 0051.bmp: 1 class uses this bmp, an AV (Auxiliary). This shipside has the u-shaped white Aleutians camo and has already been previewed in Post #47

[Kull]

Toho Type (2 classes):

Motoyuki has four models for this class, of which the Taifuku Maru is fairly representative of the early war ships while Akagisan Maru has the late war green camo.

1) Toho Cargo (xAK): 55 ships. A single bmp file (0256.bmp), shared with Toho AKE and Bankok Maru AMC classes (the AMCs cannot convert or upgrade to any Toho classes and vice versa). One database entry (12/41). Can convert to Toho AKE in 2/42.
2) Toho AKE (AKE): 0 ships. A single bmp file (0256.bmp), shared with Toho Cargo and Bankok Maru AMC classes. One database entry (2/42). Can convert back to Toho Cargo.

Colors & Profile:
- 0256.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, most of which are (and will be) the xAK type. Current version is "purplish", which is OK for the xAKs (not so much for the others, but majority rules). The as-is shipside armament is OK, albeit different between the AMC (large 15cm guns) and the xAK/AKE (Type 88 DP fore and aft) but again nothing can be done since the bmp is shared between two incompatible classes. Shift to "merchant green" camo late in 1944 (#3).

[Kull]

Lima Type (3 classes):

No more merchant ship Dazzle!?!? Well, maybe that pronouncement was a bit premature - there are a few more possibilities. Here's the story on the first one. The British ship Silver Cypress (built in Belfast) caught fire and burned near Manila in 1937, following which the hulk was sold as scrap to a Japanese company. After being towed to Japan, the new owners decided it wasn't a total loss after all, had it repaired and it re-entered service in 1939 as the Yasukawa Maru. This is not the only foreign-origin vessel that we'll encounter during these reviews, but this one is interesting because it was painted in Dazzle camo (see #1). More to the point, in AE this ship is categorized as "Lima-class", and it does bear a passing resemblance to most of those vessels. A single ship with Dazzle camo would normally be of no concern when looking at a 46-ship grouping, but in this case the AKV class has a unique bmp, no ships, and will likely see few if any conversions - so a pretty good destination for this camo. As for the timing, the combinedfleet TROM has nothing specific, but she did spend a lot of time at Singapore in March and April 1942, so (as with other shipsides) we'll choose this as the time period when camo was given. Yasukawa Maru was sunk during Guadalcanal operations in late 1942, but in it's AKV guise we'll keep the Dazzle throughout 1943.

Motoyuki has two other models for this class, the Lisbon Maru (#2) being the early war example while Atago Maru (#3) has the late war green camo.

1) Lima Cargo (xAK): 46 ships. A single bmp file (0261.bmp), shared with Lima AKE class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Lima classes.
2) Lima AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0261.bmp), shared with Lima Cargo class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Lima classes.
3) Lima AKV: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0299.bmp), not shared. One database entry (2/42). Can convert to both the other Lima classes.

Colors & Profile:
- 0261.bmp: 2 classes use this bmp, most of which are (and will remain) the xAK type. The current version is "purple-ish" (fine for xAKs, but the armament will change - see #4), which then shifts to "merchant green" camo late in 1944 (#5). Unique to AE merchant shipsides, the Lima class has no visible guns of any sort, but since the database says they have a variety of DP guns fore and aft, we'll add them. There are also small central AA guns for the xAK class, but these are invisible at this scale (and we can't use the AKE's 25mm AA since it's not in the xAK database).
- 299.bmp: 1 class uses this bmp, an AKV (Auxiliary). The current version is also purplish, but this should change to bluish-grey (#6). In April 1942 it will move to Dazzle camo (#7), shifting to greyish-grey at the end of 1943 (#8). For armament we'll need a double platform at the front (for a Type 88 DP and 25mm AA) while the the larger 12cm DP gun mount will sit near the stern.

[obvert]

These are very cool. Love all of the models you're finding of them too.

[Kull]

Aden Type (3 classes):

Motoyuki has five models for this class, and we're going to look at several of them because this shipside needs some adjustments to the overall look. Most of the AE cargo-type vessels have a raised poop and forecastle, but the same is not true for most of Motoyuki's Aden-type models and photos. The deck is a flat sweep on either side of the superstructure, so we'll need to modify the Aden shipsides accordingly (although we'll retain a visual indicator for the raised bulwark surrounding the forecastle, as you can see on the Mantai Maru (#1). The existing AE shipside has an odd shape on the poop, which is probably the raised section "bolted on" at the rear of Hakushika Maru (#2) or even the large boxes seen at the rear of Mantai Maru and China Maru (#3). None of the Aden models have green camo, and while that's hardly definitive it does suggest that this would be a good candidate for the merchant ship classes that will NOT get the green camo (as per the previously described plan).

While researching the Yasukawa Maru as an AKV option for the Lima Types, I noticed that we had a similar opportunity with the Aden AKV - a somewhat useful class with no ships and an unshared bmp, thus limiting the number that would appear in-game. None of the Adens had camo sides, but there was another former British ship with a similar profile that bore Dazzle camo and wasn't in-game at all. The Empire Pagoda was under construction in Hong Kong when it was captured by the Japanese in 1941. She was completed in April 1943 with the name Gyoten Maru, and although the combinedfleet TROM makes no mention of camouflage, we have both a photograph and a Motoyuki model (#4) which show it existed, probably getting the Dazzle paint job at the time of her launch.

1) Aden Cargo (xAK): 189 ships. A single bmp file (0262.bmp), shared with Aden AKE class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Aden classes.
2) Aden AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0262.bmp), shared with Aden Cargo class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Aden classes.
3) Aden AKV: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0300.bmp), not shared. One database entry (4/42). Can convert to both the other Aden classes.

Colors & Profile:
- 0262.bmp: 2 classes use this bmp, most of which are (and will be) the xAK type. Current version (#5) is "purplish", but the profile and armament will change (#6). In 1943 this class will shift to greyish-grey (while removing commercial striping from the funnel - #7) and in 1945 will adopt a "silver grey" color, in order to represent the late war faded paint jobs (#8). Armament: The current shipside has a single gun platform at the front, but the database shows a mix of DP guns fore and aft (12cm, Type 88s and Short guns), so we'll need a second platform at the stern.
- 300.bmp: 1 class uses this bmp, an AKV (Auxiliary). Current version is the same purplish as 262.bmp, so it should change to bluish-grey (#9). In early 1943, it gains the Dazzle camo (#10), shifting to greyish-grey in mid-1944 (#11). Armament: Needs a stern-mounted gun (same issues as 0262.bmp) and central 25mm AA, which can go on a platform just aft of the funnel as shown on Ryoyo Maru (#12).

[Kull]

Ehime Type (3 classes):

Motoyuki has only two models for this class, the Shinshu Maru (#1) being the best early war example. Neither model has green camo, plus the ability to convert to both AD and AG classes suggest that this should be yet another merchant ship class which will not get the green camo (as previously discussed).

1) Ehime Cargo (xAK): 58 ships. A single bmp file (0263.bmp), shared with Ehime AKE & Ehime AD classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Ehime classes and the Muroto AG class.
2) Ehime AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0263.bmp), shared with Ehime Cargo & Ehime AD classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Ehime classes and the Muroto AG class.
3) Ehime AD: 2 ships. A single bmp file (0263.bmp), shared with Ehime AKE & Ehime Cargo classes. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert.

Colors & Profile:
- 0263.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, most of which are (and will be) the xAK type. The current shipside color ("purplish") would be OK for the xAKs, but not for the others. Since the existing shipside has to change anyway (armament is wrong), we'll start these off as greyish-grey (#2) and shift over to a "silver-grey" in 1945 (#3). Armament: Similar to the Adens, these shipsides have a variety of fore and aft DP guns in the database, and in this case need a forward gun platform. The AKE and AD class also have fore and aft 25mm AA, but since the xAK does not, we'll ignore them.

[Kull]

Akasi Type (3 classes):

Motoyuki has two models for this class, of which the Kinjosan Maru (#1) is representative of the early war ships while Nissho Maru (#2) has the late war green camo.

1) Akasi Cargo (xAK): 58 ships. A single bmp file (0264.bmp), shared with Akasi AKE & Akasi AD classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Akasi classes.
2) Akasi AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0264.bmp), shared with Akasi Cargo & Akasi AD classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Akasi classes.
3) Akasi AD: 2 ships. A single bmp file (0264.bmp), shared with Akasi AKE & Akasi Cargo classes. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert.

Colors & Profile:
- 0264.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, most of which are (and will be) the xAK type. The existing shipside color ("purplish") would be OK for the xAKs, but not for the others. Since it has to change anyway (once again the armament is wrong), we'll start these off as greyish-grey but then change to "merchant green" camo late in 1944. Armament: As with the Ehime types, these shipsides have a variety of fore and aft DP guns in the database, and in this case need a forward gun platform. And just like the Ehimes, the fore and aft 25mm AA of the AKE and AD class are ignored since the xAK does not have them.

[Kull]

Std-A Type (3 classes):

Motoyuki has three models for this class, all of which sport late war green camo. Of these, Hisakawa Maru (#1) includes an inset photo showing it unladen, and you can clearly see the dark band of green camo amidships, transitioning sharply to the lighter colored green of the forecastle (red arrow).

1) Std-A Cargo (xAK): 90 ships. A single bmp file (0271.bmp), shared with Std-A AKE and Std-AT TK classes. One database entry (6/42). The first ship of this class arrives 6/42. Can convert to both the other Std-A classes in 6/42.
2) Std-A AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0271.bmp), shared with Std-A Cargo and Std-AT TK classes. One database entry (6/42). Cannot upgrade or convert.
3) Std-AT TK: 44 ships. A single bmp file (0271.bmp), shared with Std-A AKE and Std-A Cargo classes. One database entry (6/42). The first ship of this class arrives 2/44. Can convert to both the other Std-A classes.

Colors & Profile:
- 0271.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, and all the arriving ships are either xAK or TK. Current version is a dark bluish-grey (#2), which works for all three classes. This will shift to "merchant green" camo (#3) in mid-1944. The armament is OK, so no changes are needed.

[Kull]

Std-B Type (3 classes):

There's a real problem with the Std-B types. As you can see in the attachment (#1), the AE shipside is a vessel 1/3 smaller than the Std-A (see attachments above), but similar in all other respects. In particular, both have the tanker-like "engine-in-the-rear" profile which features a funnel and second superstructure at the stern. This appearance is confirmed by the profile in 0NI 208-J Jan 1945 (#2), and while that would seem definitive...it's not. The ONI document also lists 18 Std-B ships by name, and even though most of them are listed by name in AE, NOT ONE is in the AE Std-B class grouping:

- Anbo Maru (Kasu-D Cargo)
- Bichu Maru (Daigen Cargo)
- Bizen Maru (Daigen Cargo)
- Chiyo Maru (Ansyu xPB & Kiso xACM)
- Fujishima Maru (not in AE nor is there a specific entry in combinedfleet): See here for a "central funnel" ship profile and class details.
- Kokuyo Maru (Miyati Cargo and Type-N TL AO)
- Konan Maru (Akasi Cargo and Aden Cargo)
- Naruo Maru (Kasu-D Cargo)
- Sainei Maru (Std-C Cargo)
- Sankisen Maru (not in AE or combinedfleet): See here for a "central funnel" ship profile.
- Shiranesan Maru (Std-A Cargo)
- Shiroganesan Maru (Std-E Cargo)
- Shoun Maru (Std-C Cargo)
- Shoyu Maru (Daigen Cargo)
- Tatebe Maru (Std-D Cargo)
- Toyu Maru (not in AE nor an entry in combinedfleet, although it's mentioned in other TROMS as a B-type): See here for a "central funnel" ship profile.
- Yamamiya Maru (Std-C Cargo)
- Yukigawa Maru (not in AE or combinedfleet)

Of course AE does have 27 ships of the Std-B Type, in two different classes:

1) Std-B Cargo (xAK) class: There are 17, and all of these are actual ships (i.e. you can find record of them by name in one historical database or another) although I could only find photos for 8. Seven of those pictures show ships with a central funnel and superstructure while the other photo is specifically called out as a "Standard A" type ship. In other words, not a single photograph of a Std-B ship which resembles the AE shipside:

- Teisen Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Jinju Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Horaizan Maru: No picture
- Hofuku Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Sanju Maru: No picture
- Noshiro Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Otoriyama Maru: No picture
- Hoshin Maru: No picture
- Tsurushima Maru: No picture
- Toan Maru: No picture
- Kinshu Maru: No picture
- Jinzan Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Tokuhei Maru: No picture
- Shiretoko Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Imaji Maru: Wrong profile (central funnel and bridge)
- Yozan Maru: Specifically called out as a Std A
- Ekisan Maru: No picture

2) Std-BT (TK) class: There are 10 ships, yet I couldn't find records of any Japanese merchant ships of this period with these names (in some cases the spellings are close, but those ships clearly belong to a different class). So again, we have nothing that would support the look of the existing shipside:

- Asahii Maru
- Kakuda Maru
- Rumoi Maru
- Rebuni Maru
- Saroma Maru
- Kutchan Maru
- Saroma Maru
- Ibetsu Maru
- Obihiro Maru
- Eniwa Maru

Lastly (and - of course - only after finishing the above analysis), I found a copy of the Japanese plans for the wartime Standard B. And no surprise, it has the central engine & funnel configuration (#3)

All of which means that the existing Std-B profile is incorrect. Accordingly, I'll replace it with a new shipside that resembles the only Motoyuki model of an Std-B type, the Mino Maru (#4), shown in it's 1944 merchant camo. With that out of the way, we'll continue with the usual review of upgrade and conversion options by class, along with colors and armament:

1) Std-B Cargo (xAK): 17 ships. A single bmp file (0272.bmp), shared with Std-B AKE and Std-BT TK classes. One database entry (6/42). The first ship of this class arrives 7/42. Can convert to both the other Std-B classes in 6/42.
2) Std-B AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0272.bmp), shared with Std-B Cargo and Std-BT TK classes. One database entry (6/42). Cannot upgrade or convert.
3) Std-BT TK: 10 ships. A single bmp file (0272.bmp), shared with Std-B AKE and Std-B Cargo classes. One database entry (6/42). The first ship of this class arrives 2/45. Can convert to both the other Std-B classes.

Colors & Profile:
- 0272.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, and all the arriving ships are either xAK or TK. Since the shipside has to be replaced (with a heavily modified Akasi-type), we'll start it off with the same dark bluish-grey used by the Std-A shipside (#5) and shift to "merchant green" camo in mid-1944 (#6). Armament: All three classes have identical armament, including Type 88 DP guns fore and aft and 25mm AA on the central superstructure (although it's located too low to be visible at this scale).

[Kull]

Gozan Type (3 classes):

Motoyuki has only one model for this class, the Kyokuzan Maru (#1). It's worth noting that while Motoyuki doesn't give his models the AE classifications, one can usually correlate the ship name in AE to the size, age, and profile of the corresponding Motoyuki model. Often there's a mismatch however, and then I use the physical attributes of the modeled ship to try and place it within the correct AE type-groups. In this case, the AE Kyokuzan Maru is a Std-C ship, but that's not possible since it was built in the 30's. So is this model really a "Gozan type" ship? Who knows, but the profile matches the shipside very closely, so in that sense it can be helpful for determining things like armament locations and color, especially when there aren't ANY models that are conclusively linked to a particular ship type.

1) Gozan Cargo (xAK): 61 ships. A single bmp file (0265.bmp), shared with Gozan AG and Gozan AGP classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Gozan classes.
2) Gozan AG: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0265.bmp), shared with Gozan Cargo and Gozan AGP classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to both the other Gozan classes.
3) Gozan AGP: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0265.bmp), shared with Gozan AG and Gozan Cargo classes. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert.

Colors & Profile:
- 0265.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, most of which are (and will remain) the xAK type. Current version is "purple-ish", which is normally OK, but I'm going to do something different with the Gozan types. This is a grouping of smaller and older AKs, and it seems likely that they weren't a priority when it came to painting. So we'll start them off with a generic grey (#2), transitioning to a brownish and rusty shipside (#3) in 1943 (which they'll retain for the duration of the war, as we'll assume the merchant green camo passed them by for much the same reason). Kudos to Tenzan, whose CHS shipsides provided many good examples of a rusty hull. Armament: Per the database, all 3 classes have fore and aft DP guns of various types. There's also AA around the superstructure, although (as is often the case) it's invisible at this resolution.

[Kull]

Std-C Type (3 classes):

Motoyuki has four models of this Type, of which the Daiho Maru (#1) most closely resembles the AE shipside.

1) Std-C Cargo (xAK): 73 ships. A single bmp file (0273.bmp), shared with Std-C AKE and Std-CT TK classes. One database entry (12/41). The first ship of this class arrives 4/42. Can convert to both the other Std-C classes in 6/42.
2) Std-C AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0273.bmp), shared with Std-C Cargo and Std-CT TK classes. One database entry (6/42). Can convert to both the other Std-C classes.
3) Std-CT TK: 35 ships. A single bmp file (0273.bmp), shared with Std-C AKE and Std-C Cargo classes. One database entry (6/42). The first ship of this class arrives 1/44. Can convert to both the other Std-C classes.

Colors & Profile:
- 0273.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, and all the active ships are either xAK or TK. Current version has the same dark bluish-grey used by the Std-A & B shipsides, so it can stay that way (#2). And then shift to the "merchant green" camo shipside (#3) in mid-1944 (many of the "Std" types were built during the late stages of the war, so those undoubtedly started off with this mandated form of camo). Of passing interest, my first attempt at Merchant Green Camo was a Std-C shipside (#4) back in Post #19, but I think the recent ones have better delineation between dark & light. Armament: Per the database, all 3 classes have stern-mounted Type 88 DP guns, and 25mm AA on the forecastle. There are smaller AA weapons around the superstructure, although they are invisible at this resolution.

[Kull]

Std-D Type (3 classes):

Once again there are four Motoyuki models, of which the Harukawa Maru (#1) is most representative of this type.

1) Std-D Cargo (xAK): 128 ships. A single bmp file (0274.bmp), shared with Std-D AKE and Std-DT TK classes. One database entry (12/41). The first ship of this class arrives 2/42. Can convert to both the other Std-D classes in 6/42.
2) Std-D AKE: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0274.bmp), shared with Std-D Cargo and Std-DT TK classes. One database entry (6/42). Can convert to both the other Std-D classes.
3) Std-DT TK: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0274.bmp), shared with Std-D AKE and Std-D Cargo classes. One database entry (6/42). Can convert to both the other Std-D classes.

Colors & Profile:
- 0274.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, and all the active ships are either xAK or TK. Current version also has the dark bluish-grey colors used by the other Std Types, so it can stay that way (#2). Will shift to the "merchant green" camo shipside in mid-1944 (#3). Armament: This shipside needs a visible forward weapon since every class has identical armament - 25mm AA fore and aft, and 13mm AA (small & invisible) on the central superstructure.

This post is a bit of a milestone since we've now completed the AK/xAK types. Next up are the seven classes of xAKL.

[Kull]

To'su Type (5 classes):

Motoyuki has five models of this type, which is helpful because there are 3 different bmps to review. Tama Maru #6 (see #1) has the generic look of the minimally armed xAKL, Takunan Maru #5 (#2) has more weaponry, and lastly we have the tiger stripe camo of Shonan Maru #11 (#3). I spent some time trying to look up examples of these ships, but even combinedfleet.com doesn't have much (a pretty sparse class grouping of small ships of this type after they were converted into a variety of different auxiliaries).

1) To'su Cargo (xAKL): 38 ships. A single bmp file (0129.bmp), not shared. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 To'su classes.
2) To'su Wa-1 (AMc): 43 ships. A single bmp file (0127.bmp), shared with Wa-1 AM class. However, please note that while the Wa 1 AM appears in the database, it starts with no ships, receives none, and can't be upgraded to or from. To all intents and purposes, that means this bmp is not shared. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 To'su classes.
3) To'su Ma-1 (CMc): 4 ships. A single bmp file (0085.bmp), shared with To'su xACM and To'su xPB classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 To'su classes.
4) To'su xACM: 18 ships. A single bmp file (0085.bmp), shared with To'su Ma-1 and To'su xPB classes. One database entry (12/41). Cannot upgrade or convert.
5) To'su xPB: 34 ships. A single bmp file (0085.bmp), shared with To'su xACM and To'su Ma-1 classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 To'su classes.

Colors & Profile:

- 0129.bmp: 1 class of AKL uses this bmp. Current version is "purple-ish", which is fine for the start. As this is a very small ship, it's unlikely to have been a priority for painting. We'll show that by changing to a "brownish" paint job in late 1942 (#4), ultimately going full rust bucket (#5) at some point in 1944. Armament: Per the database, there are twin 13mm AA guns amidships, which matches the profile (no change required).

- 0127.bmp: 2 classes use this bmp (really one), and both are Auxiliaries. Current version is purple-ish (which is fine), but it should change to greyish in late 1943 (#6). This is also a good option for the Shonan Maru camo. I've been unable to find any photos, and there's nothing specific at combinedfleet.com other than a few mentions in the TROMs of other ships (in which Shonan Maru #11 is variously referred to as a patrol boat, subchaser, or armed auxiliary). So we have no date for the camo, other than Motoyuki's statement that the ship survived the war, and this was her "look" at that time. It is the only tiger striping I've seen so far, and that seems like the sort of thing that might be most useful for ships trying to blend in with a shoreline, so probably something that was applied late in the war to vessels doing their work along the Japanese coast. Which seems like a good definition for the activities of Local Minesweepers such as this one. Accordingly, let's apply the tiger striping to this shipside effective in late 1944 (#7). Armament: Per the database, there's a Type 88 DP gun at the prow, and twin 13mm AA guns amidships, which matches the profile (no change required).

- 0085.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, and all are Auxiliaries. Current version is purple-ish, so it will change to naval yard bluish (#8), shifting to "greyish-grey" in late 1943 (#9). As a final touch, we'll give them the "haven't been painted in a while" silver-grey tone starting in 1945 (#10). Armament: Per the database, all three classes have a Type 88 DP gun at the prow, and twin 13mm AA guns amidships, which matches the profile (no change required).

Edit: I definitely violated my own rule, putting the single example of a camo ship in-game as the representative for 43 ships, especially when there's so little hard data to go on (not even a photo). However, it's a class that is largely confined to ports and by the time this camo is visible (late 1944), it's likely that many of this AMc variety will have converted to more useful ship classes (or been sunk). Plus it's such a curious type of camo that it would be a shame to omit it entirely from the game. And as we've found with other oddities, perhaps evidence for more will eventually appear.

[Kull]

ORIGINAL: obvert

These are very cool. Love all of the models you're finding of them too.

It's turned into an interesting project, that's for sure. A little anecdote. While researching the "Standard" type ships, it seems they arrived in 3 waves, the 2nd being the largest. Apparently the main difference was that each wave was designed with new economies, primarily less metal but also worse engines and other deficiencies. Consequently, the shipbuilders gave ships of the 2nd Wave a nickname: "The "轟沈型"/"sink within minutes-class". [X(]

[Kull]

Kiso Type (5 classes):

Motoyuki has a couple models of converted trawlers which somewhat resemble this type in size and profile, the best example being the Tenyo Maru #2. The superstructure is too far forward when compared to Kiso types in AE, but that's the sort of disconnect which happens when two different varieties of vessel use the same shipside. The Kiso (119 ships) and Std-E types (191 ships) all share the same bmp file, and since "majority rules", that means the Std-E profile takes precedence (#2). Not surprisingly, Motoyuki has several Std-E models, including a few (such as this un-named model) bearing the 1944 camo (#3).

1) Kiso-E Cargo (xAKL): 69 ships. A single bmp file (0268.bmp), shared with Kiso AG, Std-E Cargo, and Std-ETd TK classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 Kiso classes.
2) Kiso AG: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0268.bmp), shared with Kiso-E Cargo class. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 Kiso classes.
3) Kiso xACM: 15 ships. A single bmp file (0132.bmp), shared with Kiso xAMc and Kiso xPB classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 Kiso classes.
4) Kiso xPB: 31 ships. A single bmp file (0132.bmp), shared with Kiso xAMc and Kiso xACM classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 Kiso classes.
5) Kiso xAMc: 0 ships. A single bmp file (0132.bmp), shared with Kiso xACM and Kiso xPB classes. One database entry (12/41). Can convert to all the other 4 Kiso classes.

Colors & Profile:

- 0268.bmp: 4 classes use this bmp, and the vast majority are AKLs. Current version is "purple-ish" (OK for AKLs), but visible armaments are necessary (#4). As with the To'su xAKLs, regular painting of these small ships was probably not a priority, so they will transition to a rusty brown in late 1942 (#5) and will retain that look until gaining merchant green camo in late 1944 (#6). Even that is primarily due to the influx of new Std-E class ships in 1944 and beyond (151 of 191), as new vessels coming off the stocks would certainly be painted in accordance with the Maritime Transportation Bureau's directive. Armament: This shipside has no visible weapon mounts. However, per the database each class has a mix of DP and 25mm AA guns on the stern, so those will need to be added.

- 0132.bmp: 3 classes use this bmp, and all are Auxiliaries. Current version is purple-ish, but needs to be bluish (#7) as all these vessels are navalized auxiliaries. Likewise, we'll see a shift to "greyish-grey" in late 1943 (#8). Armament: The weaponry is very similar for all three classes, as per the database there's a Type 88 DP gun at the stern and dual 25mm AA on the forecastle. The shipside has these reversed, so we'll alter that accordingly.