Il Mundo 1929
Italy walked away from the treaty talks in Copenhavn reasonably content with the result. A spokesman said “Whilst we did not achieve all our goal, we have defended the interests of our country and done much to further them.” The announcement regarding Suez was welcome news and opens up that route to increased Italian traffic to East Africa and beyond. Commentators were wary of the lack of French opposition at first, but perhaps a corner has been turned in which our economic future is more firmly cemented together. The announcement of an “agreement” between the British Empire, Danmark, Iberia, Italy and the Netherlands was not greeted so warmly by the international community. Many countries seem to harbour deep suspicions of our country yet it must be noted that those countries in our immediate vicinity expressed any such concerns. The relationship with France appears warm and the Greeks have had no qualms with the news. Instead it seems to be that the normal pair, Atlantis and South Africa, just wish to interfere with our affairs as normal.
Other things of note at Copenhavn were the displays of various aircraft. The Danish Rhorbach company was especially visible, with Rofix fighters parked in elegant rows alongside the airfield. Our own contribution was more minimal, the presentation of a Macchi M.39 seaplane to the Danish government for display. The aircraft had competed in the 1926 race and has been since superseded. Also present was a fly-in from one of the two examples of the Caproni 90 which completely dwarfed every other aircraft present. The Iberian navy set up a demonstration of their C.30 autogyro. A take off and landing on a temporary platform fitted to HMIS Portugal.
The only 4 ships laid down this year, the 4 Ruggiero Classe Destroyers were commissioned into the fleet at the end of December. They are large and expensive, but fast with a powerful armament and true oceanic capability. It is not expected that any more ships of this class will be laid down. The only other development this year has been the re-starting of work on the aircraft carrier Aquila, on which construction was halted in 1928. She is expected to be complete in 1930-31.
The Regia Marina released some notes on the construction of vessels in the coming year. A fuller building schedule is proposed, with a view to replacing aging vessels. Among the projects being considered are; the conversion of Quarto to an experimental weapons vessel; a new class of large submarine; a larger experimental aliscafo after the experience with A-29; more MAS typo 100. The largest project of the year will be the construction of a aviation training vessel as granted by the talks at Copenhavn. A 13.000ton vessel is expected and the details released indicate some original safety ideas being incorporated into her construction. She is expected to serve as a training vessel and a model for the eventual replacement of Francesco Morosini. A refit of Cristoforto Columbo was considered but eventually postponed to a future date.
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Quoted
Heh kinda tough given the timing of the announcment...
Tuesday, June 25th 2024, 11:28pm
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