Bulgaria ordered 78 Avia B-534 biplane fighters in 1939. These were obtained from Germany which had captured a large number of them. The final aircraft were not delivered until March 1942. At the same time, Bulgaria ordered more modern fighters such as the Messerschmitt Bf 109E and Dewoitine D.520, which resulted in the outdated B-534s seeing little frontline service. However on 1 August 1943, 48 Avias made several passes at Consolidated B-24 Liberators returning from the raid on Ploieşti. Although several hits were scored, none of the bombers were shot down.
Following the anti-German coup of 9 September 1944, Bulgaria switched sides after which the B-534s were used for ground attack.
Avia B-534 of the Bulgarian Air ForceLine-up of Avia B-534 fighters of the Bulgarian Air ForceAvia B-534 of the Bulgarian Air ForceAvia B-534 of the Bulgarian Air Force
The Imperial Japanese Navy heavy cruiser Tone was launched on 21 November 1937 and completed on 20 November 1938. Designed as a scout cruiser, she carried six floatplanes in addition to her main armament of eight 20cm (8-inch) guns. To optimise aircraft capacity, all of the four main turrets were concentrated forward, while the rear of the ship held the floatplanes.
Tone participated in most of the major naval engagement of the Pacific War, finally being sunk at Kure on 24 July 1945 by aircraft from the US Navy light carrier USS Monterey (CVL-26).
Tone in 1942IJNS ToneIJNS ToneIJNS ToneTone during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons 24 August 1942HIJMS Tone and Aux. oiler Kokuyō Maru at Philippine Sea 1944Yamato and a heavy cruiser, possibly Tone or Chikuma, in action during the Battle off Samar, 25 October 1944Tone under air attack near Kure on 24 July 1945Tone under air attack near Kure on 24 July 1945Wreck of Tone post-warWreck of Tone post-warWreck of Tone post-warWreck of Tone post-war
The Japanese Heavy Cruiser Mogami was the lead ship of her class class, which were originally built as light cruisers under the London Naval Treaty restrictions. However, they were later converted to heavy cruisers by replacing their 15.5 cm guns with 20.3 cm guns.
At the start of the Pacific War, Mogami, was involved in the Battle of Sunda Strait, which resulted in the sinking of the US heavy cruiser USS Houston, the Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth and the Netherlands destroyer HNLMS Evertsen. Five Japanese transports were also sunk, three by friendly fire when struck by torpedoes fired by Mogami.
Later she participated in the Battle of Midway, where her bow was badly damaged in a collision with her sister ship Mikuma. While retiring from the area, she was attacked several times by carrier based dive bombers, receiving six bomb hits which caused additional severe damage. On here return to Japan, she underwent conversion to an aircraft carrying cruiser with a capacity of up to 11 seaplanes. Her damaged No. 5 turret as well as the No. 4 turret were removed and the magazines used for aviation fuel and munition storage.
Her final engagement was the Battle of Surigao Strait, part of the larger Battle of Leyte Gulf, where she was part of the Southern Force that attempted to attack the Allied landing forces in the Philippines. She was crippled during the night action following clashes with US Navy cruisers and a collision with the light cruiser Nachi. In the morning she was attacked by Grumman Avenger torpedo-bombers and hit by two 500 pound bombs. After being abandoned she was scuttled by her escorting destroyer Akebono.
MogamiMogamiView from the bridge of Mogami over the damaged bow during refueling from the tanker Nichiei Maru after the Battle of Midway.The aircraft deck of the Mogami after conversion to an aircraft cruiser, August 1943.Forecastle and front gun turrets of the Mogami after conversion as an aircraft cruiser, August 1943The starboard side of the Mogami after conversion to an aircraft cruiser, August 1943.
