After the loss of four large aircraft carriers in Midway, the Japanese decided not to use the third vessel in the Yamato Class as a battleship, but to use the hull for an aircraft carrier. As the 20 cm thick armoured deck was already laid, it was only possible to set up a hangar deck for 18 to 47 aircraft. The Shinano was never used - as she was being taken to the Kure shipyard for completion she was sunk by the American submarine Archerfish.