IJN Kako

This page is about the Japanese heavy cruiser IJN Kako. For other Furutaka-class cruisers, see Furutaka (Family).

IJN Kako

IJN Akizuki

IJN Furutaka

IJN Kako

IJN Akizuki

IJN Furutaka

Japan

III Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
4.7	4.7	4.7

Class:

Heavy cruiser

Research:48 000

Purchase:180 000

Show in game

Description

The IJN Kako (加古, namesake: Kako River) was the second ship of the Furutaka-class heavy cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Much like her sister ship Furutaka, Kako was designed to counter the American Omaha-class light cruisers, featuring high speed and relatively heavy armament for its time to both outrange and outrun them.

After patrolling and engaging in skirmishes around the waters of China in the early 1930s, Kako received a major refit in 1936 to replace her 200 mm guns to the standard 203 mm guns of other Japanese heavy cruisers. She was later assigned to Cruiser Division 6 with her sister Furutaka and a pair of Aoba- class heavy cruisers. Kako and Division 6 would participate in several battles, covering the island-hopping campaign during the early stage of the Pacific war. After the Battle of the Coral Sea, Division 6 would be merged to form the Eighth Fleet. On 8 August 1942, Kako and her fellow Division 6 comrades would engage in the Battle of Savo Island, to which the IJN managed to score a major victory and sunk several Allied ships. Kako was credited for sinking the American heavy cruiser USS Vincennes during the battle. Just two day after the triumph, however, Kako would met her demise on 10 August, when she was ambushed and stuck by three torpedoes from the USS S-44. At that time, she was the largest Japanese warship to be sunk by a submarine.

Introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy", Kako is in her 1935 configuration (just a year before major refit that replace her turrets similar to her sister ship Furutaka). As with Furutaka, Kako was initially designed to meet the 10,000-ton displacement restrictions of the Washington naval treaty, and as such features several unique quirks for a heavy cruiser. To reduce the weight of the ship, the Kako features only few secondary and AA mounts. While this made her particularly vulnerable against aerial threats, the result is that the Kako has only 8,640 tons of displacement - comparable to most of the post-treaty light cruisers - while having greater protection compared to ships of a similar or higher displacement, as well as similar good mobility. Despite her low BR, Kako should never be underestimated, as her slow-firing 200 mm guns pack quite a punch against most ships she will face, especially at close range.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Citadel76 / 76 / 35 mm

Main fire tower25 / 25 / 7 mm

Hull25 mm (steel)

Superstructure8 mm (steel)

Number of section9

Displacement8 640 t

Crew616 people

For a heavy cruiser, the Kako's protection is average. The main citadel is covered with 76.2 mm of RHA and citadel deck armour varies between 31.75 to 34.9 mm. The armour can withstand a fair amount of beatings from mid-to-long ranges (6 km or more), thought became much more vulnerable when not angled.

While the Kako features a low crew count of 616 men, she is able to maintain most of her crew due to the lack of secondary and AA mounts, which means she will only lose sailors when the crew compartment is damaged.

Along with her sister ship Furutaka, the Kako has the unique perk of being able to withstand fire damage with little to no crew loss due to her crew compartments is located further away from the deck and are spaced from each other. This ability makes the Kako much more bearable for new captains who don't have FPE, and allows experienced captains to focus on repairing the more serious damage on the ship.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB76 / 21 km/h

RB65 / 18 km/h

Due to her low displacement, the Kako features good mobility that is comparable to a light cruisers. She can accelerate and decelerate faster compared to other heavy cruisers and turns quite well when upgraded.

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode	Upgrade Status	Maximum Speed (km/h)		Turn Time (s)	Turn Radius (m)
		Forward	Reverse
AB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	76	21
RB/SB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	65	18

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB5 749 → 7 795

RB5 987 → 8 118

Total cost of modifications45 700

97 600

Talisman cost1 300

Crew training52 000

Experts180 000

Aces700

Research Aces390 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

380 / 600 / 100 %

154 / 154 / 154 %

Modifications

Seakeeping	Unsinkability	Firepower
Dry-Docking Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Rudder Replacement Research: 2 000 Cost: 4 300 165 Propeller Replacement Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Engine Maintenance Research: 3 000 Cost: 6 400 250	Damage Control Division Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Fire Division Research: 2 000 Cost: 4 300 165 Smokescreen Research: 2 000 Cost: 4 300 165 Shrapnel Protection Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Ventilation Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 New Pumps Research: 3 000 Cost: 6 400 250 Ammo Wetting Research: 3 000 Cost: 6 400 250	Anti-Air Armament Targeting Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 200mm_jp_type88_navy_apc_ammo_pack Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Auxiliary Armament Targeting Research: 2 000 Cost: 4 300 165 120mm_jp_type0_distant_fuse_naval_he_ammo_pack Research: 2 000 Cost: 4 300 165 Primary Armament Targeting Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Improved Rangefinder Research: 2 300 Cost: 4 900 190 Torpedo Mode Research: 3 000 Cost: 6 400 250 Hydroplane Research: 3 000 Cost: 6 400 250

Armament

Primary armament

6 х Turret20 cm/50 3rd year type No.1 cannon

Ammunition120 rounds

Vertical guidance-5° / 25°

The Kako features six 200 mm 3rd year type No.1 cannons mounted in six single turrets arranged in an unusual A-Bs-C-X-Ys-Z setup. While the turret itself had sluggish traverse speed, this peculiar turret setup allows the A-B and X-Y turrets to rotate freely without having to turn around when the ship is changing directions, as well as provides wide gun coverage when angled.

The 200 mm guns are extremely powerful for the Kako's battle rating, as they can deal a serious damage against more advanced cruisers when aimed properly and are devastating against destroyers that she will usually face. The main guns have access to two type of shells; an HEF shell with 8 kg of TNT equivalent, which is very powerful against destroyers and deals consistent damage against cruisers, and an APC shell with 219 mm of penetration at 10 km with decent 3 kg of explosive filler, this shell is able to penetrate any opponent and deal serious internal damage, as well as penetrate dreadnoughts at close range.

On the other hand, the 200 mm guns have a slow reload time of 15 seconds (ace crew), and a whooping 22 seconds when all the ammunition in the ready rack has been used. The guns also have a rather poor accuracy as the shells will occasionally scatter around the target.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		1,000 m	2,500 m	5,000 m	7,500 m	10,000 m	15,000 m
HE common	HE	60	60	60	60	60	60
Type 88 APCBC	APCBC	352	311	253	208	173	129

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (s)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
HE common	HE	870	110	0	0.1	8.03	79°	80°	81°
Type 88 APCBC	APCBC	870	110	0.03	9	3.12	48°	63°	71°

Secondary armament

4 х Turret120 mm/45 10th year type cannon

Ammunition250 rounds

The secondary armament of the Kako is four 120 mm 10th year type cannons, placed in pairs on the port and starboard side of the superstructure. The guns have a short reload time of 4 seconds and a relatively good accuracy. This, however, is your only line of defense against aircraft, as your anti-air armament is just four machine guns. The guns are loaded with HEF shells by default with an option to use HE-TF shell for anti-air defence.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		1,000 m	2,500 m	5,000 m	7,500 m	10,000 m	15,000 m
120 mm Type 1 HE	HE	24	24	24	24	24	24
120 mm Type 0 HE	HE-TF	24	24	24	24	24	24

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (s)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (kg)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
120 mm Type 1 HE	HE	850	20.33	0	0.1	1.95	79°	80°	81°
120 mm Type 0 HE	HE-TF	850	20.33	0	0.1	1.95	79°	80°	81°

Anti-aircraft armament

Type 93 machine guns are located on both sides of the Kako's main superstructure

2 х Turret2 x 13.2 mm Type 93 machine gun

Ammunition3600 rounds

Belt capacity30 rounds

Fire rate476 shots/min

The Kako has only four 13.2 mm Type 93 machine guns for anti-air armament. The guns are mounted in a twin-barrelled setup on the ship's superstructure. The guns have very poor damage output and will not help to deter any aircraft and PT boats that come close to the Kako. This leaves the 120 mm guns as the only reliable defensive weapons against PT boats.

Additional armament

Setup 124 x 610 mm Type 8 No.2 wet-heater torpedo

The Kako is loaded with 24 x 610 mm Type 8 No.2 torpedoes, launched from fixed launchers on each side of the ship. From each side can be launched up to 12 torpedoes, with six loaded inside the tube and other six in the ready racks. While the torpedoes are not as fast or powerful as the famous Type 93 torpedoes, they still pack 380.6 kg of TNT equivalent, which can sink a destroyer in a single hit and deal a considerable amount of damage against cruisers. Unfortunately, the aforementioned fixed torpedo launchers will limit the usage of the torpedoes, as you will have to move your hull to adjust your torpedo aim and exposing your vulnerable sides. Thus it is mostly suitable for mid-to-long range area denial barrages.

Scout plane

Located amidships is a catapult with one E7K2 scout plane which provides unique offensive and defensive abilities, expanding tactical options. Ship-launched scout planes fly just like regular tree units but lack munition choices and cockpit views. The E7K2 is equipped with only defensive machine gun turrets (ventral as well as dorsal) but it does carry 4 x 60 kg bombs. It also has the scout plane ability to cap zones and lay down smoke cover (up to 3 times). Captains will be wise to remember to utilize the aircraft and consider when best to use it, for example to cap a point early or late in the match, to create a smoke screen to stymie enemy bombardment and repair, to attack enemy units directly, or perhaps something completely new! Carrying a heavier bomb load than most other scout planes, this unit has a very good chance to sink enemy boats or even a destroyer.

Usage in battles

The Kako's playstyle mostly depends on the opponent she faces. In a match with the same tier opponents such as destroyers and early light cruisers, the Kako is capable of pushing the targets by lending its devastating firepower at its battle rating to quickly dispatch the opponents while tanking hits in return. Otherwise when facing more advanced and better-protected cruisers, the Kako can act as a fire support ship, delivering powerful salvo and launching barrages of torpedoes at longer ranges. Her main anti-air armament are the 120 mm secondaries, especially when equipped in HE-TF shells, while they will rarely stop a dive bomber, they can score kills against a larger bombers at range, like a Pe-8. For that reason, it's best to stay near friendly (preferably non-Japanese) warships that can provide a more potent anti-air cover.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Great main armament
  • 6 powerful 200 mm (7.9 inch) cannons
  • Guns have separate turrets which allows to keep more firepower active as a turret gets taken out
  • Shells are falling in a relatively parallel line, making it easier to score multiple hits against targets in a medium-to-long range
• Good top speed and agility
• Good survivability
  • Very durable against destroyers
  • Can bounce several shots when angled properly
  • Resilient against fire damage
• Carries large amount of torpedoes
• Carries a scout plane

Cons:

• Fixed torpedo launchers
• Easily blows up if the ammo rack gets hit (poorly protected)
• Weak anti-air capability
• Poorly protected turrets can be easily knocked out
• Slow turret traverse
• Large target and usually priority targeted over other vessels especially by airplanes carrying large payloads

History

Created as a counter to the American Omaha and British Hawkins class cruisers, the Furutaka class was designed to act as a scouting cruiser capable of protecting the main fleet from enemy scouts. While the ship was designed before the Washington Naval Treaty, she still fell within the displacement and calibre limits with 7,500 tons of displacement and the main armament of six 7.9 in/20 cm cannons mounted in single turrets; she also had a torpedo armament of 12 x 21-inch torpedo tubes mounted in the hull. These armaments would change as both Furutaka and Kako were modernized shortly after being completed, with their single mounted guns being replaced with three twin turrets and two quad-torpedo launchers being added near the aft.

During the first months of the Pacific War against the United States, Kako was assigned to Sentai 6 and tasked in covering the invasions of several islands including Guam, Wake, and New Guinea. Sentai 6 was then assigned to Operation MO, the invasion of Port Morseby, and partook in the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942. Their next major action would not be until August, but would also be their largest. Kako and Sentai 6 had been assigned to the new Eighth Fleet. In response to the American invasion of Guadalcanal, the Eighth Fleet sortied out to counter the invasion force. On the night of August 8-9, 1942, Kako and the fleet of 4 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers, and a destroyer surprised the Allied Fleet in a night attack off Savo Island.

Fighting at close ranges with searchlights, flares, and star shells, Japanese naval artillery devastated the Allied fleet, sinking 4 heavy cruisers and forcing the American support ships to abandon the Marines on the island. While the battle was a stunning victory for the Japanese, they failed to sink any of the landing ships and fled the area for fear of retaliation from American carrier planes; However, it was the American submarine S-44 who got revenge. On August 10, while the Eighth fleet was returning to Rabaul, the S-44 fired four torpedoes at Kako, scoring three hits. The Kako quickly took on a list before her boilers detonated, sinking the cruiser but only taking 68 sailors with her. Kako was struck from the Japanese Naval list a month later.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the IJN Kako from live.warthunder.com.

Market

Camo "Merchant Fleet camouflage"

See also

Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the ship;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

• topic on the official game forum;
• other literature.

Kawasaki Shipyard Co. (川崎造船)
Destroyer Escorts (DE)
Ikazuchi-class	Ikazuchi
Heavy Cruisers (CA)
Furutaka-class	IJN Kako
Battleships (BB)
Kongō-class	IJN Haruna*
Ise-class	IJN Ise
Notes	*Initially laid down as battlecruiser, later modified and reclassified as (Fast) Battleship (FBB).
See also	Kawasaki Aircraft Industries

Japan heavy cruisers
Furutaka-class	IJN Furutaka · IJN Kako
Aoba-class	IJN Aoba
Myōkō-class	IJN Myoko · IJN Haguro
Mogami-class	IJN Mogami
Tone-class	IJN Tone