Maritime Security Agency (Japan) 1950 CVE proposal

[Grey Havoc]

Came across this a while back. Sometime shortly after the near disaster at Wonsan in October 1950, the USN offered to lease the Japanese Maritime Safety Agency an escort carrier (probably a Casablanca class CVE) in order to augment it's minesweeping flotilla which was hard at work in Korean waters (USN MCM forces being in a state of severe disrepair due to post-WWII cutbacks). I'm not sure if it was just intended to use her as a command/depot ship for the flotilla, or whether the USN was also planning to detach some helicopters and associated personnel to her for mine reconnaissance purposes.

Does anyone know anything more about this proposal?

 

[TomS]

True helicopter MCM didn't get past the experimental stage during the war. They did use helos for mine spotting and some destruction of surface mines via rifle fire. I'd guess a CVE would be used mainly for supporting the mine sweeping boats but maybe also operate some spotting helos.

 

[Julio Garay Terrazas]

¿This one? I dont remember where I get this image, but yes what the article talks about a post war japanese little carrier.

 

[Grey Havoc]

The JMSDF CVH program from the 1960s.

 

[uk 75]

The German Navy was reported as wanting a similar ship at various stages and especially in the 90s, but they ended up being built as the Berlin class replenishment ships

 

[Grey Havoc]

Indeed. Germany hasn't been serious about defence for quite some time, even after 2014. A state of affairs which has increasingly come back to haunt her.

 

[Archibald]

... now I have a country to sell those Saipan-class carriers. 1960 would be the right time, too. At 23 000 tons they fit the CVH-B nicely. Trackers should be able to operate out of them, and S-3 Vikings later on...