Sendai, Sendai-Class Light Cruiser

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

Hello everyone! Today ill be suggesting Sendai, the lead ship of the Sendai-class light cruisers.

 

Sendai undergoing trials in 1924

 

History:

The Sendai was the lead ship of the Sendai-Class light cruisers, which were a development of the preceding Nagara-Class light cruisers. The Sendai-Class was the most modern of the pre-WW2 IJN cruisers to see action in WW2. Sendai herself was built by Mitsubishi, in Nagasaki and was launched in 1923, and commissioned into service on 29th of April 1924. Sendai was 162 metres long, and 14 meters wide, displacing nearly 5200 tons. She had 29mm of deck armor, and belt armor 64mm thick. Sendai was powered by 10 boilers and four turbines producing 90,000 SHP, this gave her a top speed of 65 km/h. Her initial armament consisted of seven 140mm/50 cannons, placed in the similar layout as previous cruisers like Kuma. Other armament included four, two-tube 610mm torpedoes, two 80mm anti-air cannons, and 56 naval mines.  During the Sino-Japanese war, the Sendai would patrol the Yangtze river, and also took part in the Battle of Shanghai, repelling the Chinese army, alongside Izumo. On August 14th 1936, the Chinese Air Force mistakenly bombed Shanghai in a attempt to battle back the Japanese forces, a floatplane launched from Sendai shoots down a Chinese Air Force aircraft that same day. Sendai would provide support for Japanese amphibious invasions in southern China in 1938.

 

 

Sometime during 1941, Sendai's 80mm anti-air cannons were removed and replaced with twin 25mm cannons, and a quadruple 13.2mm gun added in front of the bridge. In November of 1941 was assigned as the flagship of Destroyer Division 3, and under Rear Admiral Shintaro Hashimoto. She would she combat immediately at the outbreak of the war in the Pacific. On the 7th of December, she was escorting the Japanese 25th Army and its transports with her destroyers for a operation to invade Malaya, they commenced a naval bombardment of Kota Bharu, Malaya. The following day 7 RAAF Hudson's attacked the fleet sinking one of the transports while damaging two others. On the 9th of December, Force Z of the Royal Navy was spotted by I-65, Sendai and the other Japanese warships sail southward for a night encounter. Shortly after midnight, I-65 spots Force Z again, Sendai relays the message on to the flagship of the 1st Southern Expeditionary Fleet. Force Z's capital ships are overwhelmed and sunk by torpedo bombers that evening. On the 19th of December, Sendai's E7N2 spots the Dutch submarine O-20 and bombs it, it would also be depth charged by the destroyers Ayanami, and Yugiri. O-20 managed to survive the anti-submarine attacks, but while surfaced to recharge her batteries at night, she is spotted by the destroyer Uranami and sunk by cannon fire. Sendai would continue to provide troop transport convoy escort during the campaign. On the 26th of January 1942, two RAAF Hudson aircraft spotted Sendai and her convoy which reported them to command in Singapore. The Commonwealth forces decided to attack with all available air power beginning the Battle of Endau. Outdated Vildebeest as well as Albacores, and Hudson's attacked the convoy in 3 waves, suffering heavy losses while failing to inflict damage to the landing forces. It was also decided to dispatch the only combat ready warships in the area to attack the convoy. Consisting of only the destroyers HMS Thanet, and HMAS Vampire, they were sailed towards the area under the cover of darkness expecting a force of two escorting destroyers, when in reality Sendai, and 14 other destroyers, and minesweepers were present. The two destroyers managed to sneak into the force trying to find the transports. They however couldn't spot them and came within 600 meters of a Japanese minesweeper, thus they decided to preemptively fire spreads of torpedoes before being identified by the Japanese. All the Allied torpedoes failed to destroy any ships, and the two destroyers were engaged. Vampire managed to lay smoke and escape, but Thanet was hit in the engine room leaving her dead in the water. Sendai, and the entire fleet fired their shells into Thanet until she sank. Sendai would also cover the landings at Sumatra, as well as sweep the strait of Malacca for fleeing allied ships that spring.

 

 

Sendai would also be present in the Battle of Midway, but was sailing 1000 km behind the carrier strike force, and thus made no contributions to the battle. Sendai, however would contribute significantly in the Solomon islands campaign. Sendai would arrive in the area on the 31st of August, 1942, and support landings on Guadalcanal between the 4th and 5th of September. Within a span of a couple weeks, Sendai would shell American positions on three separate days in the Solomon islands. On the 14th of October, Sendai and several other ships would land an additional 1100 troops onto Guadalcanal. On the night of the 13th of November, Sendai provided distant cover for the Japanese fleet during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, but saw no action herself. On the night of the 14th, and morning of the 15th, Sendai took part in the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Sendai, along with destroyers Uranami, and Shikinami were sweeping east of Savo Island, when the overall Japanese force had spotted and misidentified the brand new US battleships USS Washington (BB-56), and USS South Dakota (BB-57) as cruisers. Vice Admiral Nobutake Kondo ordered Sendai's force along with her Light Cruiser Nagara's force to engage the US ships. The USS Washington (BB-56)  detected Sendai's force on radar and both battleships turned their 16 inch batteries to engage the small vessels at a range of 16 km's. Taking fire from the primary cannons of the US Battleships, Sendai's force laid a smoke screen and retreated, the US vessels lost radar contact and stopped firing after 5 minutes. Sendai and her force escaped unscathed. On the 5th of May 1943 Sendai is refitted with a Type 21 radar, and her number 5 140mm cannon is replaced by two triple 25mm AA cannons.

 

 

 

During the summer of 1943, Sendai would provide escort duties in the Solomon islands. On the 18th of July, her convoy is attacked by TBM Avengers, and by B-25 Mitchell's skip bombing on the 20th. On the 1st of November, a B-24 Liberator attempted to bomb Sendai, but she took no damage from any of the aerial attacks in 1943. Sendai and the other Japanese vessels were there to oppose the US landings at Bougainville and on the night of the 1st and morning of the 2nd Sendai took part in the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay. US Cruiser Division 12 moved to intercept the Japanese fleet using the radars on the Cleveland-class cruisers. Shigure and Sendai reported sighting of the US fleet at 9 km's. Both Shigure and Sendai turned hard to starboard, and while Shigure launched her torpedoes Sendai almost collided with her. USS Cleveland (CL-55), USS Columbia (CL-56), USS Monteplier (CL-57), and USS Denver (CL-58) all targeted Sendai using radar. Immediately Sendai was hit with the opening salvo, setting her ablaze and jamming her rudder. US Destroyer Division 46 concentrated fire on Sendai. The crew were ordered to abandon the ship at 2 am, and the ship sank two hours later.

 

 

 

In-Game:

The Sendai would provide another light cruiser option to the IJN in-game, and would play much like a upgraded Kuma. The Sendai's most noticeable difference in weaponry is her 610mm torpedoes, but can also be outfitted with a heavier AA defense. As well as having a different ship profile.

 

Specifications:

 

General characteristics:

Crew: 446

Length: 162.2 m (532 ft 2 in)

Width: 14.2 m (46 ft 7 in)

Draft: 4.8 m (16 ft)

Weight: 5,195 long tons (5,278 tons)

Powerplant: 4x shafts, 4× Parsons steam turbines, 10x Kampon boilers producing 90,000 HP (67,113 kW)

 

Performance:

Maximum speed: 35.3 Knots (65.4 km/h; 40.6 mph)

Range: 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi)

 

Armament (Initial):

7x 14cm/50 3rd Year Type Cannon

- - Vertical guidance: +20/-7

- - Rate of fire per gun: 6 RPM 

- - Traverse speed: 6.8 degrees per second

2x 8cm/40 3rd Year Type Cannon

- - Vertical guidance: +75/-5

- - Rate of fire per gun: 20 RPM

4x Twin 610mm torpedo launchers

16x Type 8 No.2 610mm Torpedoes

- - Range: 5.4 nmi (10 km; 6.2 mi)

- - Speed: 70 km/h (43 mph)

- - Explosive mass: 346 kg (763 lb)

- - TNT equivalent:  380.6 kg (839 lb) 

56x Type 93 mines

 

Armament (1941):

7x 14cm/50 3rd Year Type Cannon

- - Vertical guidance: +20/-7

- - Rate of fire per gun: 6 RPM 

- - Traverse speed: 6.8 degrees per second

2x Twin Type 96 25mm AA turrets

- - Rate of fire per gun: 260 RPM

1x Quadruple Type 93 13.2mm AA turret

- - Rate of fire per gun: 476 RPM

2x Type 92 7.7mm AA turrets

- - Rate of fire per gun: 600 RPM

4x Twin 610mm torpedo launchers

16x Type 8 No.2 610mm Torpedoes

- - Range: 5.4 nmi (10 km; 6.2 mi)

- - Speed: 70 km/h (43 mph)

- - Explosive mass: 346 kg (763 lb)

- - TNT equivalent:  380.6 kg (839 lb) 

56x Type 93 mines

 

Armament (May 1943):

6x 14cm/50 3rd Year Type Cannon

- - Vertical guidance: +20/-7

- - Rate of fire per gun: 6 RPM 

- - Traverse speed: 6.8 degrees per second

2x Twin Type 96 25mm AA turrets

- - Rate of fire per gun: 260 RPM

2x Triple Type 96 25mm AA turrets

- - Rate of fire per gun: 260 RPM

1x Quadruple Type 93 13.2mm AA turret

- - Rate of fire per gun: 476 RPM

2x Type 92 7.7mm AA turrets

- - Rate of fire per gun: 600 RPM

4x Twin 610mm torpedo launchers

16x Type 8 No.2 610mm Torpedoes

- - Range: 5.4 nmi (10 km; 6.2 mi)

- - Speed: 70 km/h (43 mph)

- - Explosive mass: 346 kg (763 lb)

- - TNT equivalent:  380.6 kg (839 lb) 

56x Type 93 mines

 

Other (May 1943):

Type 21 Radar 

- - Range (Surface): 10.8 nmi (20 km; 12.4 mi)

- - Range (Air): 37.8 nmi (70 km; 43.5 mi)

 

ONI identification page for the Sendai-Class Light Cruisers. This illustrates the differences between Sendai and the current Kuma in War Thunder such as the four stacks, and further aft catapult.

 

Sources

Spoiler

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_cruiser_Sendai

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_off_Endau

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Empress_Augusta_Bay

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/川内_(軽巡洋艦)

http://www.combinedfleet.com/sendai_t.htm

http://pwencycl.kgbudge.com/T/y/Type_21_general_purpose_radar.htm

 

 

 

Oh and one last thing, Amatsukaze may be my fav Kancolle DD, but Sendai is my fav Cruiser :P

Spoiler

 

Edited October 27, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[leroyonly 4,311]

Open for discussion. 

[Milocat 4,857]

Would be a great light cruiser for the Japanese tree.  +1.

[aizenns 3,591]

More 5,500 t class cruiser seems good for event of premium.

+1

[Tasty95215 2,099]

+1 for the 1943 version, since trading one of the 14cm guns for two triple 25mm's would help Sendai distinguish her from Kuma. Though there not being any clear pictures of her 1943 version might make modelling that difficult.

 

[Tasty95215 2,099]

Sendai was datamined from the Dev Server. It seems she's her as-built version, judging by the fact that she still has turret #5:

 

[Fireraid233 4,275]

Nothing great but i guess adds to the lineup.

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

On 24/10/2019 at 18:16, Tasty95215 said:

Sendai was datamined from the Dev Server. It seems she's her as-built version, judging by the fact that she still has turret #5:

 

 

 

Going by the AA armament its either Naka, or Jintsu in December of 1941. With 2x Twin 25mm's, 1x Quadruple 13.2mm's, and 2x rifle calibre guns

Edited October 27, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[aizenns 3,591]

1 hour ago, Miki_Hoshii said:

Going by the AA armament its either Naka, or Jintsu in December of 1941. With 2x Twin 25mm's, 1x Quadruple 13.2mm's, and 2x rifle calibre guns

I think it is Sendai. Jintsu and Naka remove front torpedo tubes, and replace torpedo tunes to quadruple tube for Type 93 torpedo. Also bridge shape, outboard cables etc shows it is Sendai 1942.

Looking around model, it missing two Type 92 7.7 mm machine guns on the air intake behind of first funnel.

Edited October 27, 2019 by aizenns

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

5 minutes ago, aizenns said:

I think it is Sendai. Jintsu and Naka remove front torpedo tubes, and replace torpedo tunes to quadruple tube for Type 93 torpedo. Also bridge shape, outboard cables etc shows it is Sendai 1942.

Looking around model, it missing two Type 92 7.7 mm machine guns on the air intake behind of first funnel.

But Sendai had her 8cm guns still when she sunk, did she not? Or is there something you know that I dont?

[aizenns 3,591]

3 hours ago, Miki_Hoshii said:

But Sendai had her 8cm guns still when she sunk, did she not? Or is
there something you know that I dont?

https://kanpla.subarus.net/lightcruiser/41481436/

Sendai also replace to 13.2 mm (later re replaced to 25 mm) as other sisters.

Edited October 27, 2019 by aizenns

[Miki_Hoshii 2,449]

1 hour ago, aizenns said:

https://kanpla.subarus.net/lightcruiser/41481436/

Sendai also replace to 13.2 mm (later re replaced to 25 mm) as other sisters.

Okay, Ill believe you. It seems sources are parroting incorrect information, which wouldn't be the first ive seen. The fact that it was unanimous though really made this revelation shocking however.

 

Below is a picture of Sendai in October 1943, and it appear she is fitted with the AA in front of the bridge and it doesnt appear to have 8cm's despite what a majority of sources seem to say. Unfortunately the picture is of poor quality.

 

Edited picture from a friend:

 

Adjusting and adding new information as well as poll options.

Edited October 27, 2019 by Miki_Hoshii

[leroyonly 4,311]

As Sendai has been implemented with update 1.95,

 

Moved to Implemented Suggestions.