Japan, more than most other naval powers of WW2, made extensive use of seaplanes. Many of them were conversions from other types of vessels. Kamoi was converted from an oiler to be a seaplane tender. Kimikawa Maru was altered from a cargo ship. The cruiser Mogami was mentioned in an earlier blog post as having an added flight deck aft, Battleship Ise received a similar alteration. The only true built for the purpose seaplane tender shown here is Akitsushima. She,and Kimikawa Maru, received real camouflage paint
Wetherhorn 