Japan planned six MAC-like tanker conversions, but only two hulls advanced and only Shimane Maru reached completion. The design combined a small hangar, one elevator, and a full-length flight deck with an intended group of twelve aircraft. Its mission was anti-submarine air cover for the vital resource route between Southeast Asia and the Japanese home islands. The late completion prevented a sound convoy-protection concept from affecting the campaign.
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Shimane Maru and tanker conversions for anti-submarine air cover
The Shimane Maru class shows Japan adapting tankers into small aviation ships for anti-submarine cover on Southeast Asia routes.