IJN Akizuki
Contents
Description
The Akizuki-class, IJN Akizuki, 1944 is a rank III Japanese destroyer
with a battle rating of 4.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.89 "Imperial Navy". This is a final researchable destroyer in the Japanese tree and it is one of the best destroyers for players to play with.
General info
Survivability and armour
Talk about the vehicle's armour. Note the most well-defended and most vulnerable zones, e.g. the ammo magazine. Evaluate the composition of components and assemblies responsible for movement and manoeuvrability. Evaluate the survivability of the primary and secondary armament separately. Don't forget to mention the size of the crew, which plays an important role in fleet mechanics. Save tips for preserving survivability in the "Use in battle" section.
If necessary, use a graphics template to show the most well-protected or most vulnerable points in the armour.
Mobility
Write about the ship’s mobility. Evaluate its power and manoeuvrability, rudder rerouting speed, stopping speed at full tilt, with its maximum forward speed and reverse speed.
Armament
Primary armament
There are a total of eight 100 mm guns in four twin turrets, a pair super-firing forwards and a pair super-firing aft, for a total broadside of 8 guns. The guns have a relatively high rate of fire, reloading in about 3 seconds (for a skilled crew; base reload is still within 3-4 seconds).
There are two choices to ammunition:
- 100 mm HE (HE)
- 100 mm HE (HE-DF)
Both shells have a maximum penetration of 44 mm at 100 m, 36 mm at 1,000 m, and 13 mm at 5,000 m, which is usually the optimum engagement range for Destroyers. Both rounds only contain 950 grams TNT equivalence, which is the second-lowest of any HE rounds found on destroyers. However, due to the high rate of fire and the number of guns, the amount of TNT per minute that Akizuki can send downrange is comparable or even surpassing that of 5-inch armed destroyers. These shells also have the fastest muzzle velocity of any destroyer with 1,000 m/s, making them relatively comfortable to aim at medium and long ranges.
The turrets traverse relatively quick as opposed to ships preceding Akizuki. The guns have a maximum elevation of 89° and can depress to -10°. Each main turret has an ammunition capacity of 400 shells at maximum load, for a grand total of 1600 shells. Main ammunition magazines are below the waterline, so they have a relatively low chance of being hit.
| "A" Turret
(Bow end, no.1) |
"B" Turret
(Bow end, no.2, super-firing) |
"X" Turret
(Aft end, no.3, super-firing) |
"Y" Turret
(Aft end, no.4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ±154° | ±165° | ±160° | ±150° |
Secondary armament
Torpedo armament
Special armament
Usage in battles
Akizuki is unarmored and relatively large for a destroyer. While the 100 mm shells are relatively weak on their own, the fast rate of fire means Akizuki can send more TNT downrange than most other destroyers, making her reload rate her greatest asset. Try to avoid any damage if possible as repairing, extinguishing fires, and pumping out water all incur a heavy penalty to reload rate. Akizuki is best played passively either at long ranges, where her fast muzzle velocity can shine or behind cover in an ambush role, where her quick rate of fire can easily shred enemy destroyers.
Against destroyers and other unarmored targets, Akizuki is monstrous. However, Akizuki is wholly inadequate for dealing with armoured targets. She has no access to any kind of armour-piercing rounds or even base fuse HE, so she cannot fight light or heavy cruisers at all, aside from lightly armoured cruisers like USS Trenton and USS Raleigh. This forces Akizuki to be played in a supportive role behind cover, where she can more effectively fight other destroyers and PT boats. Playing behind cover also increases her chances of being able to ambush cruisers with the Type 93 torpedoes. Be aware though that Akizuki has poor manoeuvrability for a destroyer; reacting to close range PT boats and torpedoes can be difficult.
Other threats to Akizuki include later US destroyers, like USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692), USS Fletcher (DD-445), and USS Somers (DD-381) because of their armored hulls and ability to match Akizuki's rate of fire with far more damaging guns. Against such foes, it is best to target their turrets (especially for USS Allen M. Sumner (DD-692) and USS Somers (DD-381)) since they are large and only lightly armoured.
The historic role of the Akizuki was providing AA cover for carriers. Carrying some HE-DF rounds together with the cannons can provide some significant anti-air cover for the team. Especially when playing a more supportive role as described above and keeping a distance from the enemy fleet.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- 100 mm main guns have a high rate of fire and good firing arcs
- 25 mm Type 96 AA guns provide good AA coverage and protection against PT boats
- Type 93 torpedoes are fast and have a very long range
- Fastest shell muzzle velocity, compared to any destroyer or light cruiser
- Great gun handling, fast turret traverse speeds
Cons:
- No armour-piercing shells for the main calibre guns, cannot effectively damage cruisers
- Turrets are large and easily knocked out
- Small explosive mass per shell, low damage output per hit
- Relatively slow compared to other destroyers
- Bad manoeuvrability and large turn radius for a destroyer
- Very limited firing arcs for torpedo
- Can only fire 4 torpedoes initially before reloading
History
In the late 1920s, the first Japanese aircraft carrier task force was created, consisting of two carriers and two destroyers. The two destroyers proved unsuitable as carrier escorts due to lack of capabilities and range, resulting in the need for more specialized vessels becoming apparent.
Initially, cruiser-class ships were chosen to escort carriers, considered, among other benefits, to have decent anti-air capabilities. However, the proposal was dismissed soon afterwards as a number of projected issues arose. Instead, the decision was made to construct specially designed anti-aircraft destroyers, which would fill the role of carrier escorts.
By July of 1938, a design was awaiting approval by the IJN high command. However, the initial design promised unrealistic performance figures and lacked distinct destroyer features, such as torpedo launchers. As a result, the design was ordered for revision, with a new draft being proposed by September. The final draft was then subsequently approved in April 1939 and the first construction orders for the new Akizuki-class destroyers followed shortly afterwards.
Akizuki, the lead ship of the class, was laid down in the Maizuru Naval Arsenal in July 1940 and saw completion in June 1942. Immediately after her commissioning, Akizuki took part in the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August, followed up by participating in the Guadalcanal campaign. After her first engagements, Akizuki returned to Japan for repairs in late 1942.
In January 1943, Akizuki was engaged by the American submarine USS Nautilus, receiving severe damage as a result. The subsequent repair efforts lasted until October, before the ship was deemed combat ready again. After participating in the Battle of the Philippine Sea in June 1944, Akizuki departed for what would become her last operation in October 1944. During the Battle of Cape Engaño, Akizuki suffered a catastrophic explosion, which ultimately led to her sinking.
- From Devblog
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
Links to the 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
| Japan destroyers | |
|---|---|
| IJN | |
| Momi-class | IJN Momi |
| Mutsuki-class | IJN Mutsuki · IJN Satsuki |
| Fubuki-class | IJN Ayanami |
| Hatsuharu-class | IJN Hatsuharu · IJN Nenohi |
| Shiratsuyu-class | IJN Yuudachi |
| Yugumo-class | IJN Yugumo · IJN Hayanami · IJN Kiyoshimo |
| Shimakaze-class | IJN Shimakaze |
| Akizuki-class | IJN Akizuki · IJN Hatsuzuki |
| JMSDF | |
| Ariake-class* | JDS Yūgure (DD-184) |
| Harukaze-class | JDS Harukaze (DD-101) |
| Murasame-class | JDS Murasame (DD-107) |
| * Modified Fletcher-class destroyers | |
