Resized to 37% of original (view original)
Artist's commentary
朧(1932年時/性能改善工事前)
今回は史実絡みの解説イラストを描いてみました、艤装も拘って描いてみると楽しいですね☺️
Oboro (in 1932/before the performance upgrade refit)
This time I tried drawing an explanatory illustration based on historical facts. It's fun to draw the ship's equipment with close attention to detail☺️
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50-caliber Type 3 12.7cm Twin Mount Model B (Early Production)
Funnel
Beginning with Oboro, the late-model Special Type II vessels were designed with reduced funnel height.
The bowl-shaped design, resistant to seawater penetration, replaced the pipe-shaped type fitted to the Special Type I, and was adopted beginning with the Special Type I Modified Uranami.
From Oboro onward, the late-model Special Type II vessels, as well as Yūgiri, are characterized by an upward-curving edge to the intake hood.
Lights displaced on both sides of the ship to indicate direction of travel to other vessels.
A green light on the starboard side, and a red light on the port side.
Main Anchor
A lookout station located at the top of the foremast.
Director Aiming Device
An apparatus that performed fire-control calculations based on rangefinder data and bearing data obtained from the compass.
An improved version of the Special Type I device, redesigned into a hooded type configuration so that higher angles of elevation could be achieved, was fitted on.
The anchor is lowered when anchoring in locations where no mooring facilities are available.
Destroyer Oboro was laid down at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal on November 29, 1929 (Shōwa 4), launched on November 8, 1930 (Shōwa 5), and commissioned on October 31, 1931 (Shōwa 6), and on the same day as her commissioning, she was assigned to the 7th Destroyer Division, which was formed that very day.
After her commissioning, she first participated in the First Shanghai Incident, then was caught up in the Fourth Fleet Incident, sustaining minor damage that required repairs and refitting. After participating in the Second Sino-Japanese War, the 7th Destroyer Division, including Oboro, was temporarily assigned to the 1st Air Fleet. However, Oboro was later removed from the 7th Division and, alongside Akigumo, was assigned to the 5th Carrier Division, thus entering the Pacific War. Yet, as part of the escort fleet for the mobile task force composed entirely of Type A destroyers, it continually found itself unable to keep pace due to cruising range limitations, and consequently was left operationally sidelined for an extended period. After engaging in escort operations near Japan for some time, she was transferred to the Northern Force. During a transport operation to Kiska Island, alongside the Hatsuharu, she came under air attack by a B-26 (Marauder) and was sunk in action.
12th Year Type 61cm Triple Torpedo Tubes (Unshielded)
2-meter Rangefinder
Unlike the version fitted to the Special Type I, this model was designed for high-angle use.
It would later be replaced with a 3-meter rangefinder.
Replacing the Model A guns on the Special Type I, this mount was introduced beginning with the Special Type II (Ayanami-class).
Unlike the Model A, which was a direct-fire gun, this model was designed for dual-purpose use in anti-aircraft fire, with a maximum elevation of 75 degrees. Additionally, the left and right barrels could be operated independently.
Although it was equipped with a hoist-type ammunition elevator, the loading process itself remained manually operated. This made loading at high angles of elevation a considerable strain, resulting in no improvement in the rate of fire during anti-aircraft engagement. In addition, it suffered from issues with its fuse-setting mechanism, and thus could not be regarded as possessing practical anti-aircraft fire capability.
The early Model B mount featured a semicircular aiming window on the left side designed for anti-aircraft use, operated by a shutter mechanism. However, following the Fourth Fleet Incident, this window design was revised for improved wave resistance and lower center of gravity, resulting in a flat box-shaped modification.
As an aside, there are various theories regarding the modifications to the Model B turrets following the Fourth Fleet Incident. Some suggest the turrets themselves were modified, while others assert they were replaced with the improved Model C mounts. The exact details remain unclear.
Sunk in action: October 17, 1942 (Shōwa 17)
Following the preceding Mutsuki-class, all Special Type destroyers were equipped with this. Its defining feature is the central tube positioned higher than the port and starboard tubes.
Beginning with the Special Type III (Akatsuki) destroyers, enclosed shields were fitted from the time of completion, but the Special Type I and II ships that had entered service earlier were gradually retrofitted with them.
A tube used to transmit voice, evinced for intra-ship communications.
Destroyers built prior to the Special Type, as well as the succeeding Hatsuharu class, were also equipped with these devices at the time of completion, with externally run voicepipes arranged along the superstructure. However, these were later removed as part of performance upgrade refit.
Vickers 12.7mm Single-Mount Machine Gun
Domestically produced, licensed version of the water-cooled machine gun manufactured by the British Vickers Company.
It was fitted to the Special Type II at the time of completion, but was later replaced with the Type 93 13mm twin machine gun.
in 1932
Additionally, it is said that the maximum elevation angle of 55 degrees was deemed sufficient for the gun's elevation, and indeed, the maximum elevation angle for the Model C gun is 55 degrees.
(Before Performance Upgrade Refit)
Navigation Lights
Voicepipe
Crow’s Nest
Round Boiler Room Air Intake
Oboro
Special Type II Destroyer (Late Model) / 7th Ship of the Ayanami Class
Depth Charge Rail
Depth charge release rails that could also be used for mine-laying.
Linoleum Deck
A linoleum covering material for open decks, widely adopted by the Imperial Japanese Navy.
It effectively prevents the deck temperature from rising significantly during periods of intense summer heat, and is primarily laid on open decks above living quarters.
Ship Name and Destroyer Division Markings
The ship’s name and assigned destroyer division number were painted on the sides of the hull. However, these markings were painted over in naval gray immediately prior to the outbreak of the Pacific War.
Hull
The upper hull incorporated flare, while the waterline section adopted a tumblehome design.
However, this tumblehome design was deemed to offer few advantages relative to the significant construction effort required, and was not adopted on destroyers following the Special Type class.
Engine Room
The ship was fitted with four Kampon Type boilers as the main boilers, and two Kampon Type Ro geared turbines driving two shafts as the main engines.
Fourth Fleet Incident
On September 26, 1935 (Shōwa 10), when the temporarily assembled Fourth Fleet, participating in a large-scale exercise, sailed into a typhoon, resulting in 19 out of 41 ships sustaining some form of damage.
The Torpedo Squadron, which had been sailing approximately 200 km southeast of the fleet's main force, is believed to have entered a particularly dangerous zone of the typhoon, resulting in the Special Type destroyers Hatsuyuki and Yūgiri suffering catastrophic damage with their bows severed.
In addition to the destroyers, the light aircraft carrier Ryūjō suffered bridge collapse due to wave impact, and other ships also sustained significant damage.
Furthermore, influenced by the previous year's Tomozuru Incident — where the torpedo boat Tomozuru capsized due to top-heavy design — this event prompted the Imperial Japanese Navy to comprehensively reassess the hull strength of its entire fleet and reevaluate designs that tended toward inherent top-heaviness due to excessive armament.
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