Ref.: TAMI-31344
A main characteristic of the heavily armored Mogami class cruisers was the use of weight saving techniques. This, however, resulted in concerns for the ships overall strength and stability. The Kumano, the last Mogami cruiser completed in 1937, was subsequently fitted with a large bulge, and the upper deck was built narrower and lower than the first two Mogami cruisers. The Kumano was originally fitted with 15.5cm triple guns, with a speed of 920m/sec., a max. range of 27,400m and a projection angle up to 55 degrees. These 15.5cm triple guns were highly respected by artillery experts. The Kumano participated in many battles during WWII including the Battle of Midway, the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, and the greatest naval battle of WWII, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, before suffering a simultaneous torpedo attack causing it to sink in Santa Cruz Bay in 1944.