NIKO MODEL 7087 TONAN MARU No.2 Japanese Auxiliary Oiler

The Tonan Maru was a Japanese tanker and supply ship, laid down at the Osaka shipyard in August 1936, launched in May 1937, and commissioned in August of the same year. The total length of the vessel at the time of launching was approx. 160 m, width approx. 22 m, and nominal displacement - approx. 19,200 tons. The maximum speed was up to 14 knots. The main armament was two 100 mm guns.

The vessel was originally built as a fishing vessel intended for whaling, but in 1941 it was finally requisitioned and converted for the needs of the Imperial Japanese Navy. At the beginning of the struggle in the Pacific, Tonan Maru operates in the area of the then Dutch East Indies, and in early 1942 it operates in the area of the mother waters and the Truk base. The next part of 1942 was spent on cruises in the South Pacific, until October 10 of that year, when it was damaged by the American submarine USS Amberjack (SS-219). As a result of the sustained damage, a large part of 1943 was spent by Tonan Maru on renovations and repairs. It enters active service only in November / December this year. However, in 1944 it was damaged again and sent for renovation, after which it was returned to service in the first half of this year. The ship Tonan Maru was sunk on August 22, 1944 as a result of a torpedo attack by the American submarine USS Pintado (SS387).