World Battleships List: Japanese Dreadnoughts
Revised 7 October 2001
Version 1.22
Compiled and Maintained by: Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
URL: http://www.hazegray.org/navhist/battleships/
This list includes all Japanese post-Dreadnought Battleships,
Battlecruisers and Large Cruisers.
General Notes:
Except for the transitional ships, Japanese dreadnoughts were
characterized by high speed. All true Dreadnoughts survived the Treaties;
they were extensively reconstructed between the wars. Two ships cancelled
under the Washington Treaty became fleet carriers. During WWII the
battleship fleet was held in reserve for a final decisive battle against
the US, which never took place. Thus they saw little productive service
and were gradually eliminated by US forces.
Transitional ships: The first four battleships listed here were designed
as all-big-gun ships (Dreadnoughts); the first was laid down months before
HMS Dreadnought. However, the inability to produce sufficient big
guns lead to them being completed as mixed-gun ships. They are included
here on the basis of their design and importance in the evolution of the
type. Two of them turned out to be quite similar to the last class of
predreadnoughts, which are not included here, as they were not designed as
all-big-gun ships. The four semi-battlecruisers included here were
designed and built as exceptionally powerful armored cruisers (4 12/45, 12
6/45 and 4 12/45, 8 8/45), but were often identified as battlecruisers and
were reclassified as such in 1912. They clearly belong in the Capital
Ship category of "battlecruisers" rather than in cruiser categories,
especially when compared to the previous two armored cruisers (1 10 inch,
2 8 inch and 4 8 inch).
Satsuma class semi-dreadnought battleships
Displ: 19,372 tons normal; 19,700 tons full load
(Aki: 20,100 tons normal; 21,800 tons full load)
Dim: 482 x 83.5 x 27.5 feet (Aki: 492 x 83.5 x 27.5 feet)
Prop: VTE engines, 20 boilers, 17,300 hp, 2 shafts, 18.25 knots
(Aki: Steam turbines, 15 boilers, 24,000 hp, 20 knots)
Crew: 887 (Aki: 931)
Arm: 2 dual 12/45, 6 dual 10/45, 12 4.7/20, 4 3.1/40, 4 3.1/28, 5
18 inch TT (sub) (Aki: 2 dual 12/45, 6 dual 10/45,
8 6/45, 12 3.1/40, 4 3.1/28, 5 18 inch TT (sub))
Armor: 4-9 inch belt, 2 inch deck, 7-9 inch barbettes, 7-9 inch turrets,
6 inch CT
Designed as all-big-gun ships (2 dual, 4 single 12/45) but completed
with mixed 10 and 12 inch main battery due to shortages of 12 inch
guns. Ordered as identical sisters, but Aki was delayed by the
unavailability of a building slip. As a result of the delay she was
fitted with numerous improvements in machinery and armament. Each had
2 3.1 inch AA added during WWI; Aki had 4 3.1/40 removed.
Satsuma
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 15 May 1905, launched 15 Nov 1906,
completed 25 March 1910. Disarmed 1922 under the Washington Treaty,
stricken 20 Sept 1923. Sunk as a target 7 Sept 1924.
Aki
Built by Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 15 March 1906, launched
15 April 1907, completed 11 March 1911. Had been delayed
by construction of the armored cruiser/battlecruiser Tsukuba.
Disarmed 1922 under the Washington Treaty, stricken 20 Sept 1923.
Sunk as a target 2 Sept 1924.
Settsu class semi-dreadnought battleships
Displ: 21,442 tons normal (Kawachi: 20,823 tons normal)
Dim: 526 x 84 x 28 feet (Kawachi: 27 foot draft)
Prop: Steam turbines, 16 boilers, 2 shafts, 25,000 hp, 20 knots
Crew: 986 (Kawachi: 999)
Arm: 2 dual 12/50, 4 dual 12/45, 10 single 6/45, 8 4.7/40, 12 3/40,
4 3/28, 5 18 inch TT
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 1.2 inch deck, 4-12 inch barbettes and turrets,
10 inch CT
Designed as all-big-gun ships (6 dual 12/50) but completed with mixed
12/50 and 12/45 main battery due to shortages of 12/50 guns. Modified
Aki design.
Settsu
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 18 Jan 1909, launched 30 March 1911,
completed 1 July 1912. Disarmed 1922 under the Washington Treaty,
stricken 1 Oct 1923. Converted to a 16 knot, 16,130 ton target
ship 1924, modified for radio control 1937-1938. Reboilered,
new machinery installed 1940. Sunk by US aircraft 24 July 1945,
salvaged and scrapped at Harima postwar.
Kawachi
Built by Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 1 April 1909, launched
15 Oct 1910, completed 31 March 1912. Sunk by magazine
explosion 12 July 1918. Stricken 2 Sept 1918, salvaged and
scrapped.
Tsukuba class semi-battlecruisers
Displ: 13,750 tons normal; 15,400 tons full load
Dim: 450 x 75 x 26 feet
Prop: VTE engines, 20 boilers, 20,500 hp, 2 shafts, 20.5 knots
Crew: 879
Arm: 2 dual 12/45, 12 6/45, 12 4.7/40, 4 3.1/40, 2 40 mm, 3 18
inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-7 inch belt, 3 inch deck, 7 inch barbettes and turrets,
8 inch CT
Exceptionally powerful armored cruisers, often considered
battlecruisers and reclassified as such in 1912. They were obsolete
upon completion due to the appearance of true battlecruisers. Derated
to first class cruisers in 1921.
Tsukuba
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 14 Jan 1905, launched 26 Dec 1905,
completed 14 Jan 1907. Suffered from numerous defects, probably
due to very rapid construction. Sunk by magazine explosion in
Yokosuka Bay 14 Jan 1917, later raised and scrapped.
Ikoma
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 15 March 1905, launched 9 April 1906,
completed 24 March 1908. Converted to gunnery training ship in
1919, armed with 10 6 inch, 8 4.7 inch, 6 3.1 inch. Disarmed
1922 under the Washington Treaty, scrapped at Nagasaki 1923.
Ibuki class semi-battlecruisers
Displ: 14,636 tons normal; 15,595 tons full load
Dim: 485 x 75 x 26 feet
Prop: VTE engines, 20 boilers 22,500 hp, 2 shafts, 20.5 knots
(Ibuki: Steam turbines, 24,000 hp, 21.5 knots)
Crew: 844
Arm: 2 dual 12/45, 2 dual, 4 single 8/45, 12 4.7/40, 4 3.1/40
3 18 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-7 inch belt, 3 inch deck, 5-7 inch barbettes and turrets,
8 inch CT
Improved and enlarged version of the Tsukuba class.
Ibuki was delayed by the lack of a building slip, so
she was modified with turbine engines (much like Aki
was). Built as armored cruisers, reclassified as battlecruisers
1912, changed to first class cruisers 1921.
Ibuki
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 22 May 1907, launched 21 Nov 1907,
completed 1 Nov 1909. Served as an anti-raider escort in WWI.
Disarmed under the Washington Treaty, scrapped 1923-9 Dec 1924.
Kurama
Built by Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 23 Aug 1905, launched 21 Oct
1907, completed 28 Feb 1911. Disarmed under the Washington
Treaty, scrapped 1923.
Kongo class battlecruisers
Displ: 27,500 tons normal; 32,300 tons full load
Dim: 704 x 92 x 27.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 36 boilers, 4 shafts, 64,000 hp, 27.5 knots
Crew: 1221 (Kongo: 1201)
Arm: 4 dual 14/45, 16 single 6/50, 8 single 3/40, 8 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 3-8 inch belt, 1.625-2.25 inch decks, 10 inch barbettes,
9 inch turrets, 10 inch CT
Heavily protected battlecruisers, sometimes considered to be the
first "fast battleships". Three ships were reconstructed in the late
1920's and early 1930's: reboilered, reclassified battleships (but were
truly battlecruisers), details as follows:
Displ: 29,330 tons standard, 31,785 tons normal
Dim: 704 x 95 x 28.5 feet
Prop: same except reboilered (10 boilers, 16 in
Haruna), 25.9 knots
Crew: 1118
Arm: 4 dual 14/45, 16 6/50, 4 3/40 (Kongo 7), 4 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: same except 1.625-4.7 inch deck, 11 inch barbettes
All four reconstructed late 1930's: all new machinery installed, new
masts and superstructure, additional armor, became fast battleships,
details as follows:
Displ: specified below
Dim: 738 x 95 x 32 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 136,000 hp, 4 shafts,
30.5 knots
Crew: 1437
Arm: 4 dual 14/45, 14 6/50, 4 dual 5/40, 4 40 mm,
8 13.2 mm AA
Armor: various small improvements
During WWII they were the only big-gun ships not reserved for a final
decisive battle against the US; they served as escorts for the carrier
task forces.
Kongo
Built by Vickers. Laid down 17 Jan 1911, launched 18 May 1912,
completed 16 Aug 1913. First reconstruction at Yokosuka
9/1929 to 3/1931. Second reconstruction at Yokosuka 6/1935-
1/1937, 31,720 tons standard; 35,740 tons trial. Final secondary and
AA armament was 8 6/50, 6 dual 5/40, 100 25 mm AA. Blew up and sank 21
Nov 1944 after being torpedoed.
Hiei
Built by Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 4 Nov 1911, launched 21 Nov 1912,
completed 4 Aug 1914. Stripped as training ship 1929-1932: 19,500 tons
standard, 13,800 hp, 18 knots, 11 boilers, 3 dual 14/45, 16 6/50, 4
3/40 remained, belt armor removed, all 6/50 later removed.
Reconversion to battleship began 11/1936 at Kure, complete 1/1940,
32,350 tons standard; 36,400 tons trial. Tested bridge structure for
Yamato class, was the most modern of the ex-battlecruisers.
Destroyed by gunfire and sunk by torpedoes 13 Nov 1942.
Haruna
Built by Kawasaki. Laid down 16 March 1912, launched 14 Dec 1913,
completed 19 April 1915. First reconstruction at Yokosuka 3/1924-
7/1928. Second reconstruction at Kure 8/1933-9/1934, 32,156 tons
standard; 36,023 tons trial. Final secondary and AA armament was 8
6/50, 6 dual 5/40, 118 25 mm. Bombed and sunk near Kure 28 July 1945,
salvaged and scrapped 1946.
Kirishima
Built by Mitsubishi. Laid down 17 March 1912, launched 1 Dec 1913,
completed 19 April 1915. First reconstruction at Yokosuka 3/1927-
3/1930. Second reconstruction at Sasebo 6/1934-6/1936, 31,980 tons
standard. Disabled by gunfire and scuttled 15 Nov 1942.
Fuso class battleships
Displ: 30,600 tons normal; 35,900 tons full load
(Yamashiro: 34,700 tons normal; 39,154 tons full load)
Dim: 665 x 94 x 28.6 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 24 boilers, 4 shafts, 40,000 hp, 22.5 knots
Crew: 1193
Arm: 6 dual 14/45, 16 single 6/50, 4 single 4/40, 6 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 1.25-3 inch decks, 8-12 inch barbettes and
turrets, 12 inch CT
Battleship version of Kongo class. Reconstructed 1930's:
new masts and superstructure, new machinery, hull lengthened aft,
added armor, reboilered, details as follows:
Displ: 34,700 tons standard; 38,536 tons trial
Dim: 698 x 100.5 x 31.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 6 boilers, 75,000 hp, 4 shafts,
24.7 knots
Crew: 1396
Arm: 6 dual 12/45, 14 6/50, 4 dual 5/40, 16 25 mm.
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 3.8-7 inch deck, turrets and
barbettes improved.
WWI plans for conversion to battleship-carriers cancelled. Final light
AA armament was 37 25 mm.
Fuso
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 11 March 1912, launched 28 March 1914,
completed 18 Nov 1915. Reconstructed 1930-3/1933; it was the first
major reconstruction of the era, so a second reconstruction was needed
to bring her up to modern standards, completed 2/1935. Sunk by
destroyer torpedoes 25 Oct 1944.
Yamashiro
Built by Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 20 Nov 1913, launched 3 Nov 1915,
completed 31 March 1917. Reconstructed 1930-3/1935. Damaged by
destroyer torpedoes, sunk by 14 and 16 inch gunfire 25 Oct 1944.
Ise class battleships
Displ: 31,260 tons normal; 36,500 tons full load
Dim: 675 x 94 x 29 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 24 boilers, 4 shafts, 45,000 hp, 23 knots
Crew: 1360
Arm: 6 dual 14/45, 20 single 5.5/50, 4 single 3/40, 6 21 inch TT (sub)
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 1.25-3 inch decks, 8-12 inch barbettes and
turrets, 12 inch CT
Modified Fuso class. Reconstructed 1930's, work was similar
to Fuso class, details follow:
Displ: 35,800 tons standard; 39,535 tons trial
Dim: 708 x 104 x 30 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 80,000 hp, 4 shafts,
25.3 knots
Crew: 1376
Arm: 6 dual 12/45, 16 5.5/50, 4 dual 5/40, 20 25 mm
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 3.8-7 inch deck, turrets and
barbettes improved.
Converted to hybrid battleship-carriers (aviation battleships)
after Midway: rear two turrets removed, hangar and flight deck
added aft, details as follows:
Displ: 35,350 tons standard; 38,065 tons trial
Dim: 720.5 x 104 x 29.5 feet
Prop: same
Crew: 1463
Arm: 4 dual 14/45, 8 dual 5/40, 57 25 mm, 22 aircraft
Armor: same
AA increased to 104 25 mm and 6 4.7 inch rocket launchers in 1944.
Planes were not carried and the catapults were removed 10/1944. They
were decoys at Leyte Gulf.
Ise
Built by Kawasaki. Laid down 10 May 1915, launched 12 Nov 1916,
completed 15 Dec 1917. Reconstructed 1935-3/1937. Conversion
to battleship-carrier completed 5 Sept 1943. Bombed and seriously
damaged 24 July 1945, bombed and sunk near Kure 28 July 1945,
salvaged and scrapped postwar.
Hyuga
Built by Mitsubishi. Laid down 6 May 1915, launched 27 Jan 1917,
completed 30 April 1918. Reconstructed 1934-9/1936. Conversion
to battleship-carrier completed 30 Nov 1943. Bombed and seriously
damaged 24 July 1945, bombed and sunk near Kure 28 July 1945,
salvaged and scrapped postwar.
Nagato class battleships
Displ: 33,800 tons normal; 38,500 tons full load
Dim: 700 x 95 x 30 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 21 boilers, 4 shafts, 80,000 hp, 26.5 knots
Crew: 1333
Arm: 4 dual 16.1/45, 20 single 5.5/50, 4 single 3/40, 8 21 inch TT
(4 sub, 4 aw)
Armor: 4-12 inch belt, 1.7-3 inch deck, 3-12 inch barbettes,
14 inch turrets, 14.6 inch CT
First 16 inch gun warships, first Japanese fast battleships.
Reconstructed 1930's: reboilered, additional armor, details as
follows:
Displ: 39,120 tons standard; 42,753 tons trial
Dim: 738 x 108 x 31 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 10 boilers, 82,000 hp, 4 shafts,
25 knots
Crew: 1368
Arm: 4 dual 16.1/45, 18 5.5/40, 4 dual 5/50, 20 25 mm
Armor: same except 5 inch deck, other minor changes
Nagato
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 28 Aug 1917, launched 9 Nov 1919,
completed 25 Nov 1920. Reconstructed 1934-1/1936. Final AA armament
was 98 25 mm with 16 5.5/50, 42,893 tons. Torpedoed 25 Dec 1943.
Only Japanese battleship to survive the war. Transferred to the US as
reparations, sunk in Operation Crossroads atom bomb tests 29 July 1946.
Mutsu
Built by Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 1 June 1918, launched 31 May 1920.
Reconstructed 1934-9/1936. Sunk in Hiroshima Bay by magazine explosion
8 June 1943.
Kaga class battleships
Displ: 39,900 tons normal; 44,200 tons full load
Dim: 760 x 100 x 31 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 12 boilers, 4 shafts, 91,000 hp, 26.5 knots
Crew: 1333
Arm: 5 dual 16.1/45, 20 single 5.5/50, 4 single 3/40, 8 24 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 11 inch belt, 4 inch deck, 9-12 inch barbettes and turrets,
14 inch CT
Enlarged Nagato class, cancelled 5 Feb 1922 under the Washington
Treaty.
Kaga
Built by Kawasaki. Laid down 19 July 1920, launched 17 Nov 1921.
Laid up pending scrapping. Converted to carrier to replace wrecked
Amagi. Conversion started 1923, commissioned 21 March 1928.
Displacement as completed was 29,600 tons standard; 33.161 tons trial,
10 8 inch, 12 4.7 inch, crew of 1,340, 3 flying decks, 60 aircraft in
dual-level hangar. Reconstructed 1934-1935, one large flying deck
fitted, reboilered and new machinery fitted for 127,500 hp, 28.5 knots,
8 dual 5/40 and 11 dual 25 mm fitted, 38,200 tons standard; 43,650
tons full load, 90 aircraft. Bombed by US aircraft 4 June 1942,
uncontrollable fire broke out; she sank when the gasoline tanks
exploded.
Tosa
Built by Mitsubishi. Laid down 16 Feb 1920, launched 18 Dec 1921.
Stricken 1 April 1924, used for experiments, sunk as target 9 Feb 1925.
Amagi class battlecruisers
Displ: 41,217 tons normal; 47,000 tons full load
Dim: 826 x 101 x 31 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 19 boilers, 4 shafts, 131,200 hp, 30 knots
Crew: ???
Arm: 5 dual 16.1/45, 16 single 5.5/50, 4 4.7/45, 8 24 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 10 inch belt, 3.9 inch decks, 9-11 inch barbettes, 14 inch CT
Battlecruiser version of Kaga class, cancelled under the
Washington Treaty. They would have been considered fast battleships
in many navies.
Amagi
Laid down 16 Dec 1920 at Yokosuka Navy. Cancelled 5 Feb 1922 when 40%
complete. Conversion to carrier started, but the hull was wrecked by
an earthquake 1 Sept 1923. Scrapped 1924. Replaced by Kaga
in the carrier program.
Akagi
Laid down 6 Dec 1920 at Kure Navy. Cancelled 5 Feb 1922, conversion to
carrier started 1923, launched 22 April 1925, commissioned
25 March 1927. Displacement was 29,600 tons standard; 33,821 trial as
completed, carried 10 8 inch, 12 4.7 inch, crew of 1,600, 60 aircraft
in a dual-level hangar; three flying decks. Reconstructed 10/1935 to
8/1938, 4 8 inch removed, one large flight deck fitted, 14 dual 25 mm
added, 36,500 tons standard; 42,750 tons full load, 91 aircraft.
Bombed by US aircraft 4 June 1942, uncontrollable fires developed,
scuttled 5 June 1942.
Atago
Laid down at Kawasaki 22 Nov 1921. Cancelled 31 July 1922,
stricken 14 April 1924, scrapped 1924.
Takao (ex Ashitaka)
Laid down at Mitsubishi 19 Dec 1921. Cancelled 31 July 1922,
stricken 14 April 1924, scrapped 1924.
Kii class fast battleships
Displ: 42,600 tons normal, 48,500 tons full load
Dim: 820 x 101 x 31.5 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 19 boilers, 4 shafts, 131,200 hp, 29.75 knots
Crew: ???
Arm: 5 dual 16.1/45, 16 single 5.5/50, 4 single 4.7/45, 8 24 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 11.5 inch belt, 4.6 inch deck, 9-11 inch barbettes, 14 inch CT
Fast battleship version of Amagi class battlecruisers.
Cancelled under the Washington Treaty.
Kii
Cancelled 14 April 1924. Would have been built at Kure Navy.
Owari
Cancelled 14 April 1924. Would have been built at Yokosuka Navy.
Number 11
Cancelled 19 Nov 1923. Would have been built at Kawasaki.
Number 12
Cancelled 19 Nov 1923. Would have been built at Mitsubishi.
Number 13 class fast battleships
Displ: 47,500 tons normal
Dim: 900 x 101 x 32 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 22 boilers, 4 shafts, 150,00 hp, 30 knots
Crew: ???
Arm: 4 dual 18/45, 16 single 5.5/50 8 single 4.7/45, 8 24 inch TT (aw)
Armor: 13 inch belt, 5 inch deck
Enlarged Kii class, cancelled 19 Nov 1923 under the Washington
Treaty. Often classed as battlecruisers, but they were a larger,
better protected and more powerful version of the Kii class
fast battleship.
Number 13 Would have been built at Yokosuka Navy.
Number 14 Would have been built at Kure Navy.
Number 15 Would have been built at Mitsubishi.
Number 16 Would have been built at Kawasaki.
Yamato class battleships
Displ: 63,000 tons standard; 68,010 tons trial; 71,659 tons full load
Dim: 862.5 x 121 x 34 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 12 boilers, 4 shafts, 150,000 hp, 27 knots
Crew: 2500
Arm: 3 triple 18.1/45, 4 triple 6.1/60, 6 dual 5/40, 24 25 mm AA,
4 13.2 mm AA
Armor: 16.1 inch belt, 7.9-9.1 inch deck, 2-21.5 inch barbettes,
25.6 inch turrets, 19.7 inch CT
Largest, most heavily armed and armored battleships ever completed.
Shinano, 111 and 797 would have been built to a slightly
different design, the third pair to a greatly modified design
(3 dual 20 inch, 18 inch armor).
Yamato
Built by Kure Navy. Laid down 4 Nov 1937, launched 8 Aug 1940,
completed 16 Dec 1941. Two triple 6.1/60 replaced by 6 dual 5/40 1943.
Final light AA armament was 150 25 mm. Sunk 7 April 1945 en route to
Okinawa by 9 to 13 torpedoes and 6 bombs, internal explosion.
Musashi
Built by Mitsubishi. Laid down 29 March 1938, launched 1 Nov 1940,
completed 5 Aug 1942. Two triple 6.1/60 removed 1943. Final light AA
armament was 130 25 mm. Sunk in the Sibuyan Sea 24 Oct 1944 by 10 to
19 torpedoes and 17 bombs.
Shinano
Built at Yokosuka Navy. Laid down 4 May 1940. Suspended 12/1940,
cancelled 1942 when 50% complete. Would have carried 20-24 10 cm
instead of 5/40 and 6.1 inch. Converted to a carrier, 62,000 tons
standard; 71,890 tons full load, 16 5 inch, 145 25 mm, 336 rockets,
crew of 2400, 120 aircraft. Torpedoed and sunk 29 Nov 1944 while
moving to Kure for fitting out.
Number 111
Laid down at Kure Navy 7 Nov 1940. Suspended 12/1940, cancelled 1942
when 30% complete, scrapped.
Number 797 Cancelled, never ordered.
Number 798 Cancelled, never ordered.
Number 799 Cancelled, never ordered.
B64 class large cruisers
Displ: 32,000 tons standard; 34,800 tons trial
Dim: 802.5 x 89 x 29 feet
Prop: Steam turbines, 8 boilers, 4 shafts, 160,000 hp, 33 knots
Crew: ???
Arm: 3 triple 12.2/50, 8 dual 3.9/65, 12 25 mm AA, 8 13.2 mm AA,
8 24 inch TT
Armor: 7.5 inch belt, 5 inch deck
Cancelled due to war. Plans altered to 3 triple 14.2 inch due to
US Alaska class, designation changed to B65. Officially
classified as "super A-type" cruisers.
The World Battleship Lists
Compiled and Maintained by Andrew Toppan (actoppan@hazegray.org)
Copyright © 1995-2003 by Andrew Toppan
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