Aikoku Maru-class Armed merchantmen

The Aikoku Maru-class armed merchant cruiser (愛国丸) was a class of three armed merchant cruisers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Background
Osaka Shosen company has designed Aikoku Maru-class liners/cargo vessels in 1936, taking large Japanese government subsidies for producing a design suitable for the fast conversion to the troop transport role.

Design
Aikoku Maru and Hokoku Maru were the converted ocean liners, while Gokoku Maru was converted for military duties before completion, resulting in 8m shorter hull, 0.2 kn higher speed, and 3 men less of complement - mostly due elimination of one of the three ship's derrick cranes.

List of ships

 * Aikoku Maru