Japanese aircraft carrier Taiho - Definition and Overview

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HIJMS_Taiho_02.jpg
Career
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Laid down:	10 July 1941
Launched:	7 April 1943
Commissioned:	7 March 1944
Decommissioned:
Fate:	Sunk in the Battle of the Marianas
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Taiho was an aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

"Taiho" means "Great Phoenix". Built by Kawasaki it was laid down on 10 July 1941 and launched almost 2 years later, on the 7 April 1943 and was finally completed 11 Months afterwards on 7 March 1944.

After approximately 3 Months of service it blew up due to gasoline vapors on 19 June 1944 after being hit by a submarine torpedo in the battle of the Philippine Sea.

What makes Taiho special was the newly introduced heavy armored flight deck, analogous to the Royal Navy's Illustrious class.