IJN Battleships

Now, the imperial japanese navy did field some impressive ships, just like theyre axis ally the Kreigsmarine. The japanese had the mighty Musashi and Yamato, the biggest battleships completed. With enormous 18" guns, ( three barrels in each of three turrets, two fore, and one aft ) and impressive speed for its size, and an excellent armour compliment, these ships were very threatening. Not to mention the superb opics placed on this class. These two ships far surpassed any other japanese battleship afloat, for example the hiei, kongo, kirishima, nagato, mutsu. The Yamato class was modern in every sense, barring the fact it had no radar mounted on it. There was a third ship in the Yamato class, to be named Shinano, but she was converted to an aircraft carrier, and sunk while leaving leaving kure naval base for completion by a US submarine. The other ships of the class fared no better against the US, and were both sunk by american air power. Had these ships been used correctly, they could have made merry hell in the pacific for the americans and shipping. Paired with a few submarines, an escort carrier or two, and a heavy cruiser for good measure. Yamato, Musashi, two escort carriers, and a few subs, patrolling the pacific, hunting convoys, could have done some serious damage. Now i know your gonna say, what about the US carriers and battleships that were present? well my freind, thats what the subs are for, to draw away escorts or enemy fleets, so the main "raiding party" could escape or attack. the carriers could be equipped with some Kate torpedo bombers, and quite a few zero's, for interception of enemy carrier based aircraft. truly, this could have been a formidable force, and would have done some damage, but inevitably would have met the same fate. though they could have earned some honor to match theyre reputation that these massive ships got. Yes, they would have been sunk eventually, but at least they would have done some damage. Imagine the mighty Musashi and Yamato bearing down on a convoy, while the escorts for the convoy are attacking the japanese subs far off, and being bombed and strafed by the carriers.