Japanese aircraft carrier Zuikaku
Zuikaku was the second and last Shōkaku-class aircraft carrier built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) shortly before the beginning of the Pacific War. Zuikaku was one of the most capable Japanese aircraft carriers of the entire war.
Zuikaku at Kobe on 25 September 1941 after commissioning
Zuikaku in November 1941.
Zuikaku and the aircraft carrier Kaga preparing to attack Pearl Harbor, December 7th 1941
Zuikaku during Indian Ocean raid.
Shōkaku-class aircraft carrier
The Shōkaku class consisted of two aircraft carriers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) in the late 1930s. Completed shortly before the start of the Pacific War in 1941, the Shōkaku and Zuikaku were called "arguably the best aircraft carriers in the world" when built. With the exception of the Battle of Midway, they participated in every major naval action of the Pacific War, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Indian Ocean Raid, the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Guadalcanal Campaign, the Battle of the Philippine Sea and the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Shōkaku at Yokosuka, 8 August 1941, shortly after she was completed
Zuikaku at anchor on the day she was completed, 25 September 1941
12.7 cm (5.0 in) Type 89 guns aboard Zuikaku, November 1941
The island with its Type 21 radar aboard Zuikaku, 1942–43