Dimensions: 820 x 85 x 29 feet/250 x 26 x 8.8 meters
Extreme Dimensions: 845 x 95 x 29 feet/257.5 x 29 x 8.8 meters Propulsion: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 160,000 shp, 34.2 knots
Crew: 1660
Armor: 1.8-6.5 inch belt, 3.9-5.1 inch deck
Armament: 8 dual 5/40 DP, 42 25 mm AA
Aircraft: 72 (84 maximum) Concept/Program: The third pair of fleet carriers, and the last big carriers completed before WWII. They were an improved and enlarged Soryu.
Design: In general similar to the Soryu design, but more significantly larger, more heavily built, better armed and armored. They were the best Japanese carriers built. The original design had included a port-side island on one ship (as in the previous carrier pairs), but completed with starboard-side islands.
Modifications: During WWII they carried 96 25 mm AA and 6 28-barrel AA rocket launchers. Zuikaku later carried additional AA armament and had other modifications.
Operational: Usually operated together, until Shokaku was lost.
Departure from Service/Disposal: Both lost in WWII.