Great pics Raptor!!! I'm a naval warfare fan from long way back...
Japanese fleet was superior to the US Pacific fleet at the beginning of the war, Just like the Royal navy was superior to the US Atlantic fleet.. But with both US fleets combined, it was easily superior to either!!!
That was the two ocean navy envisaged at first by TR, and many others later.. Gave the US worldwide power!
The Washington Naval treaties arranged things this way.. But the Japanese cheated, and overbuilt many ships!
IJN was definately first rate, LOL!!! He must be joking!!! Or uninformed...
RC