NOTE TO START: I did not tag my screen when zooming in on this video so you miss some of the intricate detail. Look at my Fine Scale Modeling thread where the still pics show that detail here: [ Ссылка ]

This is a 1/700 scale JMSDF carrier strike group carrying F-35B Joint Strike Fighters.

Within the last 2-3 months Japan has announced its intention to buy F-35Bs and to equip its Izumo class carriers with them.

Each of these two carriers can carry 20-24 F-35Bs and ASW/SAR/AEW helicopters of V-22 Opsreys to fill those roles.

When the JMSDF built the Hyuga class carriers, which were flat deck carriers displacing 19,000 tons and announced they were helicopter destroyers to fill the need of the Hsirane and Hurane classes, which in factlooked like DDGs in fron but had long flight decks and hangers to hols three helicopters in back, the new 640 foot long flat decks were accepted as much though they looked like small carriers about the same size as the Invincible class for the RN or other small CVH ships other nations had.

Then, however, as the Chinese built first one 65,000 ton carrier, and then a second, and started a third, the Japanese built two much larger vessels like the Hyuga. These were the Izumo class which were over 900 feet long and displaced 30,000 tons.

At the time I positioned that the Japanese would ultimately put F-35Bs n these ships, but I was greeted with a course of naysayers indicating that the Japanese constitution forbid it, and that the nations of the Western Pacific, including China would rise against it.

wiWell, early this year, Japan announced that very thing and the Japanese Diet voted to negate that portion that specifically forbid carriers as offensive weapons, thus opening the way.

The JMSDF has announced they would add ski jumps to these carriers and both would be made to carry 20 or more JSFs.


Sadly, only 1/700 scale models are available thus far, though there are 1/350 scale versions of the Hyuga. See my JMSDF Hyuga CSG in 1/350 scale with the same escorts you see here.

But now, the prospect for the Izumo is clear and other nations in the area are responding in kind, in my belief, to help face off the Chinese. With two Japanese carriers, with the Koreans announcing a second Dokdo class and that both of them would be carrying F-35Bs, and with the potential of Australia putting F-35Bs on the Canberras and India putting the F-35Bs on their three carriers, you now have the prospect for 6-9 carriers with F-35Bs in the Western Pacific as a counter balance to China.

This is not to mention the ten US Nuclear carriers with first one squadron and ten later two squadrons of F-35Cs which have a larger wing meaning more fuel (longer range) and more carry weight, (more ordinance), and the fact that the US can switch its 10 LPD/LHA vessels of 45,000 tons to escort carriers whenever it wishes. They are already beginning to embark six F-35Bs to replace the Harriers in the close support role for the Marines, and could, as I say, establish fully armed escort carriers carrying 20 F-35Bs along with the helos for SAR/ASW...and perhaps an EV-22 for AEW,

This group contains the following:

1 x CVH-182 Izumo carrier
1 x CVH-184 Kaga carrier'
1 x DDG-177 Atago (Atago Class) AEGIS destroyer (10,000 tons)
1 x DDG-174 Karshima (Kongo Class) AEGIS destroyer (9,000 tons)
1 x DDG-118 Fuyuzuke (Akizuki class) 6,800 tons
1 x DDG-111 Onami (Takinami class) 6,200 tns)
1 x SS Soaring Dragon submarine (Soryu class) 4,200 tons
1 x AOE-425 Manshu (Manshu class) 25,000 tons

I termed the Izumo class CVH now to position them for their true role as opposed to DDH. It is clear in my mind that the Japanese built these to hedge their bets should China continue building carriers...and they did and and show no sign of letting up. I would not be surprised to see Japan follow on with another, larger class themselves

This represents a full group capable of launching a strong 5th generation stealth strike at sea or against ground targets, with enough AEGIS weaponry and battle management to protect the carriers.

BTW, I equipped both carriers withe the EV-22 Osprey AEW proposal that was offered to the UK and which has the capability to fly higher and see much further than their helicopter AEW based on the Merlin. I expect the Japanese will want the better capability and the advantages it offers.

Please look at my other Carrier Strike groups from the US, from China, from Russia, and others and compare them...along with my many other 1/350 scale modern and World War II videos, my 1/72 scale modern and World War II videos, etc.

Thank you for you time and feel free to subscribe and to share.

BTW, the submarine that the Australians ultimately settled on was a French design...NOT a German one. But the French design details were stolen and the Australians now have to live with that. I still believe the Japanese Soryu was the better choice.

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