The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia
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U.S. Navy. Via Merriam (2006)
| Tonnage |
8 tons light |
| Dimensions |
49'2" by 11'10" by 1'9" 15.0m by 3.6m by 0.8m |
| Maximum speed | 8 knots |
| Complement |
6 |
| Armament |
2 light machine guns |
| Machinery |
1-shaft gasoline truck engine
(60 shp) |
| Range |
70 nautical miles (130km) at 8 knots |
| Cargo |
80 men or 10 tons cargo |
The Moku Daihatsu or 15m landing craft resembled the Allied LCVP, with a bow ramp that was
lowered on hitting the beach. Unlike other Japanese landing craft, the Moku
Daihatsu had a wooden hull,
constructed of 0.4" (10mm) 5-ply plywood on oak frames and floors,
thereby economizing on scarce steel.
The hulls were weak and the wood quickly decomposed in the tropics, so
that the craft were relegated to logistical
support in calm waters.
The Navy ordered 1140 of these craft, but it is not known how many were actually completed.
References
Jentschura, Jung, and Mickel (1977)
The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia © 2007, 2009 by Kent G. Budge. Index
