Expand your Empire and protect your convoys with these ships for the Imperial Japanese Navy in Cruel Seas! The Type Hei Minesweeper, T-14 class MTB and Large Sampans…
IJN Escort Type Hei Minesweeper
In an attempt to regain some measure of convoy protection, the IJN built over 170 Kaibōkan (ocean defence ships).
They came in four main classes: “Type A” Etorofu class and “Type B” Mikura class, these were taking too much time to build so by June 1943 the Navy ordered a simplified design. The result was the Ukuru class, and a scaled-down model of the Mikura class, which became the “Type C” (Hei) and “Type D” escort classes.
The Type C (Hei), like the Ukuru and Mikura classes, were dedicated to the anti-aircraft and anti-submarine roles, perfect protection for your small convoys.
Contains:
- 1x resin & metal Type C Minesweeper
- Ship card
- Wake marker
IJN T-14 class MTB
The T-14 was a wooden V-shaped hulled Torpedo Boat ordered built in 1944. Its dimensions and displacement were slightly modified in comparison with previous classes, allowing it to have a top speed of 30 knots when loaded without increase of engine power.
Hulls made include numbers: 538-549 & 838-889
With at least the following losses: 549-go (1945), 869-go (1945), 870-go (1945), 871-go (1945), 872-go (1945), 873-go (1945), 874-go (1945), 875-go (1945), 876-go (1945), 877-go (1945), 879-go (1945), 883-go (1945)
Contains:
- 4x metal T-14 class MTBs
- Ship cards
- Wake markers
IJN Large Sampans
As the Japanese merchant marine became ever more depleted the humble Sampan became the main fallback for the Imperial Japanese war machine, delivering vital cargoes of men and equipment.
Contains:
- 2x metal Large Sampan
- Ship cards
- Wake markers
IJN Kamikaze Boats
Just as Nazi Germany had to reach for desperate solutions toward war’s end, Japan followed their air force in developing a Kamikaze or suicide weapon that might just turn the tide of the battle. These were the Shin’yo (Seaquake) speedboats. Over 6,000 were built after 1943. A one-man power boat with a speed of 30 knots and a massive 700-pound explosive charge, they were to be run at enemy vessels and if a hit scored it would be deadly. The army also built tiny speedboats, the 2-man Maruni which carried two depth charges as its main weapon.
Mainly used in the Philippines, they were organized into sea raiding regiments, 1, 2, 3, 26, 27, 28 & 29, with 100 boats in each regiment. They fought bravely in numerous actions but were mostly sunk by aircraft, destroyers, and PT boats.
As they were manned they could even turn around and do a second run if they missed their target and had the option of abandoning the craft if possible, rather than suffer certain self-immolation. Fortunately for the Allies, the vast majority of the boats were not in the front line but held back in Japan for the proposed final battles. They did cause some severe damage to US destroyers, particularly the large landing craft, several of which were sunk.
Contains:
- 6x metal Shin’yo
- 6x metal Maruni
- Ship cards
- Wake markers
Get Started with the Coastal battles
The Cruel Seas Starter Set ‘Stike Hard, Strike Fast’ contains everything you need to command your flotilla in this fast-paced 1/300th scale tabletop game.
Begin your Imperial Japanese Navy Fleet
Dan Hewitson
Tom Mecredy
