Searchlight EyeCompleted in October 1926, Furutaka is the first ship of the Furutaka Class heavy cruisers. Because Kako is constructed first, initially they're called Kako class heavy cruisers, but because Furutaka's construction finished earlier, they're then named Furutaka class heavy cruisers.
When talking about Furutaka's special feature, of course it's her shining eye. Added with the equipment engulfing her right arm, she looks like a cyborg.
So unlike other girls who fight with weapons, it looks as if Furutaka's body is also getting modification.
But even with that appearance, she has a modest and cute personality. How do you say it... she looks heroic, and I like that.Battle of Cape Esperance
Finally in October 11th to 12th, 1942, Furutaka met her end in the sea of Savo island in Solomon islands.
While in a transport fleet centered on Chitose, their flagship Aoba misidentified the enemy fleet. To protect her, Furutaka entered battle while shining her searchlight and received concentrated attack until she's dead on the water. Then, as if joining Fubuki, she sank into the Ironbottom Sound.
Although originally designed as a light cruiser with high firepower, in the wake of the Washington naval treaty Furutaka somehow changed into Japan's first heavy cruiser.Aquarium
To fight against foreign light cruisers who packed more firepower than the Nagara and Sendai class, Furutaka class is designed based on the experimental ship Yuubari who has higher firepower and speed compared to the enemy, all in more compact form.
At the time, it's widely believed that ship of her displacement wouldn't be able to mount 20cm guns, so the achievement acquired her attention from the world.
But there's also many things to pay from this weight reduction. The ammunition for her 20cm guns, each weight more than 100kg, have to be loaded manually.
In addition, thanks to the heavy armours, her draught is increased above the waterline. As result, the window of lower decks have to be locked or else water will flood into the quarters. Because the windows are located underwater, she's also called aquarium.
6th Cruiser Division
Furutaka received modernization in 1937. In preparation of the coming war, her main gun is upgraded to mechanized 20.3cm twin turrets. She's also equipped with bulge among others.
Together with Kako, Aoba and Kinugasa they formed the 6th Cruiser Division that fight in operations in the southern front. After that they're placed under Choukai as flagship in the 8th fleet, becoming part of the active Mikawa fleet into the first Battle of Solomon Sea.
As result, despite successfully dealing damage to the enemy fleet, Kako is lost by submarine attack while they are returning.
