WesWorld

Q1 1927
Snr. Mussolini has announced a large scale building plan to combat the rising threat of the Hellenic navy and for replacements of older ships. Supermarina, the naval high command, cites that they lack sufficient modern cruisers and capital ships. As a result, this new building plan calls for 6 new heavy cruisers and 4 light cruisers over 5 years. The capital ships are longer term items and will not be laid down for some years, but designs have already started. All designs are told to be radically different from the last Italian battleship, Lepanto. These new ships will allow Italy to retain its edge over the rest of the world, an edge most apparent in the massive firepower of Lepanto. At the moment it appears that defence will be a major issue in the coming election this year. The people are worried by the large build up of Hellenic forces. Leading economists tell that Greece's spending is unaffordable at its current rate. Our own economy meanwhile, is rising at a respectable 3-4% annually. After having recovered from the great war which nearly bankrupted our country new ventures in the Balkans, and the discovery of Libyan oil and gas have helped to recuperate our losses. In various fields, notably aviation, Italy is at the forefront. Have we not just won the Schneider cup for our country? It makes one proud to be Italian.


As we get closer and closer to the election in June, the rival parties have begun to emerge with their manifestos. The fascisti are underlining their recent efforts in defence and security. The fascist Ministers for Agriculture and Aviation are also reporting the new developments. The fascists are a very popular party, especially in the Romagna, the industrial heartland of Italy. The over leading party has been the conservatives lead by Armando Ianucci. Their policies of less tax and small government have yet to catch on with the majority of voters.


At the annual aviation symposium in and around Venice there were a variety of different types on offer. The Savoia-Marchetti S.55 twin hulled flying boat has done well for export sales, with large orders from Iberia, Japan and the Philippines. The Savoia-Marchetti company has been extremely successful over the past few years. It unveiled it's new designs, the S.59bis and S.62 which are hoped to have similar sales. Other aircraft on offer were the new Regia Aeronautica fighter, the CR.20 which has great performance and is well liked by its pilots. Among other fighters were the Macchi M.41 flying boat and a weird looking monoplane from Danish company Rohrbach. Italian pilots say that the monoplane is unsuitable for use, something shown by the loss of both Rohrbach prototypes. Some independent aeroplane designers were signed by the larger companies. The hitherto almost unknown Maurice Delanne was signed onto Macchi Aeronautica as they struggle for sales in the civil market. There was some cause for complaint as well, Junkers under its parent company Caproni has lodged a legal challenge against Russian Tupelov for using its patented corrugated-skin metalwork on the TB-1.


S.59bis

Legal Department of Tupelov Design Bureau look forward to an interesting challenge

Quoted

Leading economists tell that Greece's spending is unaffordable at its current rate

Hmm, better get some new economists. They obviously haven't factored in the royalties Greece receives. ; )

Cheers,