WesWorld

Regia Marina announces purchase of 12 Queen Bee target aircraft from de Havilland to increase the proficiency of the fleet in anti-aircraft gunnery.

A furore has erupted after the comments of Admiral Hysén regarding the light cruisers, da Barbiano and Colloeoni. After large cracks were discovered in 1930, leading to a full structural analysis which indicated serious structural problems. As a result the two ships had their armament removed and a light superstructure was built in order to refit them and return them to service as aircraft carriers. The work finished in mid 1931 since when the two ships have remained moored in port undergoing final undisclosed modifications. The government of Snr Ianucci has been on the back foot over the past week as opposition politicians have used the situation to embarrass the government with stories highlighting inefficiency. When the ships were refitted, all thoughts were on rushing before both ships actually broke for good. The government, which prides itself on the state of the navy, felt that our ships falling to pieces would not be good for its image either internally or abroad. In refitting the ships the government did not see the legal consequences with regards to the limitations placed upon us by Atlantis. Some politicians have cited this a good reason to consider leaving the treaty for good. The government agreed in part, saying that the position of Italy had changed significantly since 1920 and the limits imposed on it no longer reflect what is needed. However, the signature of Italy is on the document which means that we should at least abide by the letter of the treaty. When pressed for details of the final modifications to the cruisers, Snr Ianucci adopted a policy of full disclosure. The modifications included a re-working of the forward magazine (ex-A and B turrets) to include storage space for 50kg depth charges, a D2bis asdic set was added forwards and most controversially the flight deck was modified to preclude landings by aeroplanes. The last section has lead to what can only be seen as farce in parliament and a source of great embarrassment to Snr Ianucci. “We spend all this money on refitting these ships into aircraft carriers, but now they can't even land aircraft?” The government was forced on the defensive and tried to get some points by replying that the ships were now perfectly suited to conducting operations with seaplanes. This was at best seen as an ungainly fudge to fulfill unreasonable restrictions. Snr Mussolini hit repeatedly at Snr Ianucci by reporting that Italy is now the laughing stock of the entire international community and has demanded that the person responsible be court-martialled. He also remarked that it was again Atlantis heading complaints against Italy. Snr Ianucci's response was unexpected citing this as yet another example of hypocrisy, “Atlantis should be a role-model. It was they who were the driving force behind this limitations treaty. They accuse us of failing to abide the treaty whilst they themselves blatantly flaunt their limits. You only have to look at the port of Cleito to see what I mean.” Whilst the government has expressed concerns over this issue in the past, we have done nothing due to our good faith that the situation be remedied. When it wasn't and was further compounded with another issue we still stayed silent whilst Atlantis remained vocal and aggressive. We hope that the situation be resolved in future.

Government officials have been meeting with the smaller border countries over the past few months, with a small informal summit in Torino being the most visible. Representatives from Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Hungary and Jugoslavia were invited. Italy wanted to hear their concerns for the region, as some countries begin to feel hemmed in between the large power blocs that are appearing over central Europe. The government assured them of Italy's continued friendship and help in preserving their neutrality. The representative from Jugoslavia was most surprised when informed of the possibility of resolving the border issue in Dalmatia and Fíume over the next couple of years.

Italian companies Breda and Fiat came away disappointed from the international fighter competition in Cordoba. Their entries, the Ba.27 and CR.32 respectively were outclassed mostly by the speed of the newer Japanese designs, but all were outmatched by the indigenous Argentine design. It was hoped that the friendship between the Italian and Argentine governments would result in orders, but the FMA design was clearly superior to the Argentinean evaluators. As a result the Regia Aeronautica issued a directive calling for new, more powerful engine designs to be developed over the coming years for use in new aircraft. A tentative date of 1935 has been set for the next fighter competition, the RA allowing plenty of time for Italian companies to come to grips with the new technology and for the engines to be developed sufficiently. A break in construction was also needed where developments in other countries could be analysed. Argentina received an order for 4 examples of the I-100 to be evaluated by the Regia Aeronautica. Italo Balbo, minister for aviation made this immortal quote " 500 km/h is already passé; in a few years, it will be common to all planes. We are so sure of it that we are looking even further…” upon his return to Italy. In related news, the Italian delegation didn't come away completely empty-handed from their visit to Argentina. Baglietto is to set up a small factory and to help supply Argentina with its expertise in building and operating fast attack craft. A similar arrangement has been made with the Netherlands. A small delegation from Argentina is expected to arrive in Italy for some trade negotiations shortly.

The Ethiopian navy is to grow considerably over the next 5 years, with 1 NUM and 4 destroyers expected to be built. Construction on the NUM is to start in 1932 as it is the largest ship on order. Many proposals have been discussed over the past few years, with a small battleship mounting 6x305mm guns being the option preferred initially as it was excellent for coastal defence. However, interference from Emperor Haile Selassie intervened and the proposal was dropped. He was most impressed with RN Morosini when she visited Massawa in 1926 on return from the Philippines and Japan. A small party was taken on an extensive tour of the ship when she was in port. The NUM will be an aircraft carrier of similar design to Aquila and Europa. The decision was finalised when it was pointed out that Ethiopia does not have the infrastructure needed to maintain a battleship. The ship will mostly act as a floating airbase for a large expansive country that has only 3 aerodromes itself. There was also a perceived need to match the aircraft carriers built by South Africa and India. The ship will be named Ãbaywenz (Blue Nile) and be built partially by Italy and partially by Ethiopia. The ship will be laid down in CRDA Trieste and when she is seaworthy enough she will be sailed to the newly built dock in Massawa for final fitting out. Already in Trieste the ship has been nicknamed Garibaldi as Ãbaywenz is somewhat of a mouthful to Italian speakers. The 4 destroyers are expected to be modified versions of the Soldati class, but emphasising firepower over anti-submarine capabilities.

The mystery plane is back in the Golfo di Taranto. Fishermen in the area reported being buzzed at low level by the same aircraft as before. On this latest occasion the plane was behaving extremely erratically and crashed into the sea shortly after flying over a fishing boat. The fishing boat went to search for the pilot but could find none at first. At this point, things became even stranger with the arrival of the Incrociatore Sperimentale RN Quarto which proceeded to tell the fishing boat to evacuate the area. They then quickly recovered the wreckage before leaving for Taranto. The fishermen were puzzled because the crew did not stop to look for the pilot's body.

The issue of the 2 Condottieri aircraft carriers was a genuine mistake, one that had been pointed out and was being fixed before all this blew up.

If the Condottieri's are converted into seaplane carriers, with no provision for landing aircraft, Germany will formally withdraw it's concerns about the vessels.

So the Italians are testing radio-controlled drones?

Not necessarily radio-controlled - might be clockwork-driven, a la the Ketter(?) Bug that nearly made it into @ WW1.


I like the floating airbase idea, looking at the map Ethiopia/EAS has a lot of coastline and very little infrastructure to defend it with.

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The decision was finalised when it was pointed out that Ethiopia does not have the infrastructure needed to maintain a battleship. The ship will mostly act as a floating airbase for a large expansive country that has only 3 aerodromes itself.

India notes that Ethiopia does not have the infrastructure needed to maintain an aircraft carrier, either.

India would be quite happy to sell a dozen bulldozers and some landing lights to Ethiopia, which allows establishment of additional aerodromes at considerably less expense than an aircraft carrier.

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There was also a perceived need to match the aircraft carriers built by South Africa and India.

Indeed; the local government in Asir was just noting that it might be useful to acquire a battlecruiser or two to match the Italian armored cruisers based in the region.

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So the Italians are testing radio-controlled drones?

Yes. Trials have moved from land-based, to submarine-based, to ship based and are generally good. Flights have lasted up to 1 hour in duration. Generally similar to the RAe drone tested on HMS Stronghold during OTL. Note that this actually happened, but not in quite so much detail.

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India notes that Ethiopia does not have the infrastructure needed to maintain an aircraft carrier, either.

Ethiopia does have a type 3 dock however. This was the main limitation on battleships, and the problems with storing munitions, and crewing such a large ship. This way it is possible to train both sailors and aviators simultaneously.

I was originally going to sell RN Morosini, but it has since been pointed out that I couldn't, so swopped the two vessels.

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Indeed; the local government in Asir was just noting that it might be useful to acquire a battlecruiser or two to match the Italian armored cruisers based in the region.

Just the thing for dealing with Saudi dissidents, eh?

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Indeed; the local government in Asir was just noting that it might be useful to acquire a battlecruiser or two to match the Italian armored cruisers based in the region.

Just the thing for dealing with Saudi dissidents, eh?

Well, there's a few flat places in Asir, so there's no need for a carrier.

South African frog men might be willing to help making the CV a very stable and easy to use platform by sinking it to the harbro bottom if the Ethipians anchor the ship over a shallow enough place...

With the flight deck fixed a few meters above sea level the completely unexperienced Ethiopians can easily use the carrier and its facilities as airport without risking too much at open sea with a moving vehicle.

The SAE is also willing to sell launches to bring passengers to the new airport if the Ethiopeans lack the Indian bulldozers to build a pier to their new center of transportation.

Aha! The SAE sees an opportunity to make money!! :-)

And test out explosives.

Nordmark will too withdraw her complaints about Italies compliance with the treaty.

(But wonders at the logic behind the conversions).

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So the Italians are testing radio-controlled drones?

If somebody's even thought of something out loud, you can rest assured the Italians are testing it.

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Originally posted by The Rock Doctor
If somebody's even thought of something out loud, you can rest assured the Italians are testing it.

Mental note; start testing mind reading equipment

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Originally posted by The Rock Doctor

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So the Italians are testing radio-controlled drones?

If somebody's even thought of something out loud, you can rest assured the Italians are testing it.

Tell me about it, now I get to be copycat with the idea I WAS planning for this year....

Think of it as parrarel development, instead.

Acctually I can think of an alternate route to get to that type of tech.

Another thing that strikes my odd is how Atlantis is supposedly heading the complaints when in fact Nordmark beat them to the punch in a public news statement. Atlantis is obligated in an administorial possition to inform Italy of the complaints.

Seems Mussolini sure knows how to put the spin out and divert the blame, even to neutral party's.

In reguards to the CV sale to the Ethiopia looks like realism is about to leave the sim in other puppet states.

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Originally posted by thesmilingassassin
In reguards to the CV sale to the Ethiopia looks like realism is about to leave the sim in other puppet states.

Breaking news! Baffin Island has declared itself independant! Resident polar bears said to be interested in placing orders for 4 50,000 ton battlecruisers! Opposing caribou forces in neighbouring Victoria Island are also said to be interested in obtaining 3 20,000 ton aircraft carriers!

-starts looking around for a more realistic puppet state to produce excess tonnage for- ¬¬

are still accounted as cruiser tonnage?

We'll have to await the final specifications. But if they fail to meet the criteria of "unlimited", they'd presumably still be cruisers.