Japan Commissions the Aircraft Carrier Hōshō
Japan commissioned the aircraft carrier Hōshō on December 27, 1922.
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The Event
Japan commissioned the aircraft carrier Hōshō on December 27, 1922. It was among the earliest ships designed specifically as aircraft carriers.
The Wider Story
Its development reflected naval experimentation with operating aircraft from ships. Later modifications altered its appearance and capabilities.
Putting the Event in Perspective
Claims about the first carrier require distinctions between design, conversion, completion and commissioning.
Reading the Historical Record
Do not substitute a large Second World War carrier for this much smaller early vessel.
About the Historical Recreation
The accompanying visual is an illustrative reconstruction: the early aircraft carrier Hosho in a Japanese harbor in 1922, correct modest size. It is not authentic archival footage, an eyewitness record or additional evidence for the event.
Sources
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