IJN CV Names

[SpitfireIX]

I recall that the Akagi and Kaga were laid down as BCs, and since the Japanese inherited the British notion that its unlucky to change a ship's name they stuck with it. [:D]

Actually, Kaga was laid down as a Tosa-class BB. The original plan was to convert Akagi and her sister Amagi to CVs; however, Amagi was extensively damaged in the 1923 earthquake, so Kaga was selected instead. This fact accounts for some (though not all) of the design differences between the two carriers.