Japanese aircraft carrier Taiho

She was laid down on 10 July 1941 and launched almost two years later, on 7 April 1943, and was finally completed eleven months afterwards on 7 March 1944.

On 19 June 1944, after approximately three months of service, she blew up due to the ignition of gasoline vapors after being torpedoed by the US submarine Albacore in the Battle of the Philippine Sea.

What made Taiho special was the newly introduced heavy armored flight deck, analogous to the Royal Navy's Illustrious class. She was also the first Japanese carrier to incorporate a closed hurricane bow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanes..._carrier_Taiho

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