Special-type Destroyer Fubuki-class name ship

Fubuki

Even under limitation of Washington Naval Treaty, this is the first ship of Fubuki-class special-type destroyer that suprised the world by going beyond what a destroyer is. Even with the treaty that stopped the Eight Eight Fleet program, the situation that required navy to procure ships that can fight against enemy fleet doesn't change. The requirement given by the military command of the time are as follow:

• Increased seaworthiness and cruising ability to handle the high seas.
• Torpedo armaments that can be used offensively.
• Ability to repel enemy destroyer fleet. Ability to fight against light cruiser class ship in a destroyer fleet of several destroyers. Moreover, having higher firepower than enemy destroyers that are being currently developed.

In order to fulfil those requirements, these specifications are drafted.

• To get the speed needed, 12.7cm twin turrets are specified together with three mountings of 61cm triple torpedo tubes (totalling 9 torpedoes).
• The bridge is enclosed (previous destroyers' bridge are using canvas roof).
• The ship bow is enlarged and built using Duralumin. But because the material are easily corroded by sea water, they are later replaced with thin steel plates.
• To increase inhabitability in expeditions, the living quarter is equipped with quicklime stove, steam heater and refridgerator.
• The first Japanese destroyer to be equipped with cruise turbine.
• To strengthen the armour and cruising capability, the ship's hull is built from bow to stern.

Such dreamlike basic specifications is actually different from traditional ship designer's ideals. What made it happen is the requirements from the military command and the designers who thought of innovations to fulfil it.

In Kantai Collection world

I've been thinking... until her first modification, other than that slightly higher luck, all of her status are just standard. So why would Fubuki became the main character ? When I did my research about Fubuki, among the little surviving materials, many of them said: "Groundbreaking", "Surprised the world" or "Changed the destroyers". And born in early Showa period Japan, Fubuki is that first ship.

For peoples who know of those time, this is a reminder about the cornerstone of Japan's technological prowness; and to us the generation who are born after war wont this brings up a yearning to that achievement. In a boasting way, this is a ship that bring a turn to naval history; this is the new standard. It's like white rice for food. The ship girl who did her best! The first ship! Fubuki! Until Taishou period, technology for polishing rice has not been developed well, so Japanese consume whole-grain or half-polished rice. In the past, polishing is done manually, so only the wealthy can afford it.

61cm triple tube torpedo launcher

Compass bridge Navigation bridge?

Rangefinder

Watchout post

Fire control

Permanent roof introduced in the Special-type

Front side is covered with glass window!!

Type 3 12.7cm 50 caliber naval gun

Special-types are the first Japanese destroyers to be equipped with triple-tube torpedo launchers

Constructed in Maizuru Naval Arsenal, now resting peacefully in Ironbottom Sound