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The Japanese Navy gained a lot in this Russo-Japanese War. Not only did it obtain 4 Liurik-class battleships, but it also obtained some destroyers and auxiliary warships. The Kamchatka seaplane mothership is one of the most dazzling spoils. Unlike the Liurik-class battleships that were buried in ports almost throughout the war, the Kamchatka performed well. It had cooperated with the Japanese Navy in the Indian Ocean for a long time, using the large number of seaplanes on it to search for German camouflage attack ships in this sea area, and successfully caught two. At the same time, it also provided anti-submarine escort assistance to the fleet, successfully driving away at least 20 submarines!

However, when the Russian government collapsed, the poor Kamchatka seaplane carrier was receiving supplies and maintenance in the Philippines. The Japanese Navy easily accepted the seaplane carrier and then incorporated it into the Japanese fleet without even changing its name...

"These are all necessary. At the beginning of the war, the Germans also equipped the Suxiong fleet with a large number of seaplanes for reconnaissance. In the late period of the war, I always believed that when the German fleet ambushed our transport fleet on the Indian Ocean for the last large-scale ambush, they used aircraft carriers! Otherwise, they would not have so many aircraft. It can be seen that it is very necessary to attach a carrier warship to the fleet for the destruction of the fleet. Moreover, the Imperial Navy does not lack such a seaplane aircraft carrier." Yamamoto Iroku said.

The Japanese joint fleet basically operates within the cover of land-based aviation forces. Therefore, whether it is aviation reconnaissance, air defense or anti-submarine, the real big head is the land-based aviation forces. Not to mention, Japan has deployed at least 250 various aircraft on New Ireland alone and more than 400 aircraft on New Britain. A considerable number of elite hedgehogs of the entire Japanese aviation force are gathered together. Although there are lack of bombers and torpedo aircraft, it is quite strong in terms of air defense firepower alone. Therefore, it is also possible to allocate a seaplane and a mothership to break the fleet.

"That's great. With the seaplane mothership and the sea supplies provided by the British, we can definitely turn the American transportation lines upside down." Koga Fengichi said excitedly.

"Haha, maybe, but the bigger our movements are, the closer we will be to destruction. Don't forget that the Americans may not have a good way to deal with us, but the Germans are different. Their carrier-based aircraft forces have rich experience in sea attacks, and the Germans also have the most powerful fast fleet cluster in the world! If they want to kill us, unless we slip back as soon as possible, we can catch us sooner or later. Our mission this time is not only to break the trade, but also more importantly to serve as bait, and when necessary, transfer the German fleet from the front line! This is a very dangerous task." Yamamoto Iroku said.

"Do you use your own fleet to create an opportunity for the main force of the joint fleet? It's worth it. I just hope that the joint fleet's performance is worthy of our sacrifice." Koga Fengichi shook his head and said.

"Okay, that's the future. I think the Joint Fleet Command will arrange ours well. After all, we have at least two battleships in our hands, so such power cannot be easily lost. Let's go up and see our battleships." Yamamoto Izuru said.

"Although it is a good ship, it is really old." Koga Fengichi said with some emotion as he stroked the double-equipped 12-inch turret at the rear of the battleship Rurik.

As he said, although the Liurik was arrogant when he first served and even made groundbreaking contributions in some fields, it has been too long since it was not only some subsystems have lagged far behind the times, but most importantly, the hull limits the improvement space for this warship.

For example, if aviation facilities are added, ordinary dreadnoughts can place guide rails, cranes and other equipment required by seaplanes in the middle of the hull, so that they will not be easily damaged by wind and waves. However, there are four turrets in the middle corners of this battleship, and the ammunition depot is below. Not only does it squeeze the space required by seaplanes in the surface of the ship, but more importantly, there is no place for the lower hull to arrange the aviation fuel depot.

Therefore, the Japanese Navy could only use two guide rails and a crane on the hull to serve as the collection and deployment equipment for seaplanes. As for the aviation gasoline depot, it is placed directly under the upper deck and is in a state of unprotectedness. If a shell is shot in, it will definitely feel extremely sour! And more importantly, at the back of the hull, there is no cover and speechlessness. If the wind and waves are relatively heavy, it is possible that the waves will rush up directly and then smash the seaplane to pieces. In addition, the dry strings of this warship are already bad, so it is even more indefinite.

"The Admiralty has made some efforts. They have installed lightning protection protrusions on both sides of the hull, which has increased the buoyancy of the warship. The dry string conditions of the warship have improved a lot. Moreover, the extra lightning protection protrusions can also be used to accommodate fuel and fresh water, increasing the endurance of the warship." Yamamoto Izuru said.

"That definitely means a decrease in speed. I suspect that even if the ship has replaced its power equipment, it may be difficult for this ship to run at a speed of more than 23 knots, right?" said Koga Fengichi.

"It's probably just that. This is actually a pseudo-fast battleship. Even if you just talk about speed, it is not of the same level as the German Bavaria." Yamamoto Iroku said.

"Okay, at least we meet the American cruiser. Our 12-inch gun is enough to deal with them." Then the two began to continue walking on the warship. Compared with the power and hull project, the Liurik had not made much changes in weapons. The main gun was copied. Although the original second-class main gun was replaced, it was the previous work of the Russians. When the Japanese took over it, they had already been modified. In addition to the 8 12-inch main guns, the most important secondary gun on this warship was 20 120MM rapid-fire guns, which was a real product of the pre-fair era. In the first battle, the British did not produce new 120MM rapid-fire guns. The ammunition of these artillery can only be found from the bottom of the Japanese and Russian warehouses.

The Japanese finally decided to dismantle some of the 120MM rapid-fire guns and use some of the better gun positions in the shooting industry to install the British 12-pound anti-aircraft guns. After all, in this era, even cruisers had to consider anti-aircraft firepower. Liurik was at least a battleship, and it was naturally necessary to equip some anti-aircraft guns.

Previously, the Japanese were planning to dismantle the 120MM gun and replace it with a 6-inch gun, because the former's power was too small, and it was a bit insufficient even when facing merchant ships. But in the end, they gave up because of construction period and materials. Just as the two were inspecting the warships, the Pacific War finally came!
Chapter completed!