ShipBlog

Greetings captains!

In Update 14.4, a new branch of aircraft carriers will join the game, this time hailing from the coasts of the Adriatic: Researchable aircraft carriers Rondine, Falcone, Astore and Condor. These newcomers will establish themselves as quite the oddities within their class: for starters, their armour scheme, unlike those of other CVs, will be increasingly similar to that of battleships as the tiers progress, making these vessels very tanky. However, this will come at the expense of an extremely small HP-pools for the class. Additionally, these CVs will feature an Italian speciality: a fuel smoke with characteristics similar to that of their respective battleship tree.

Now such a unique set of abilities may surprise players, as carriers typically do not actively engage in battles and prefer to stay back and let their planes do the job. So why would CVs need good armour and fuel smoke? Well here’s the twist: The aircraft load out of these ships is comparatively weak, featuring only two typed of planes (fighters similar to those of the German CVs and torpedo-bombers with statistics similar to those found on their premium-sister Aquila) and those will be pretty fragile. To compensate, these new CVs will feature another unique ability: Airstrikes!

A feature so far reserved for only Dutch ships, these airstrikes will consist of SAP-bombs that will drop not in the common rectangular pattern, but instead in a tight, cross-shaped pattern. This new style of drop pattern will ensure devastating results on a successful strike, but due to the slow drop speed of the bombs also allows the targeted ships plenty of time to dodge the predictable pattern. These drops have a long range for an airstrike, but unlike normal planes there IS a limit to their range, meaning these CVs will have to approach the battlefield to use their airstrikes. This will create a delicate playstyle that will demand the very best from even the most veteran CV players, where you’ll have to juggle the normal planes, the airstrike and the positioning of your vessel all at the same time. In that regard, the improved armour, low concealment and fuel smoke consumable will allow at least some respite. Additionally, a secondary armament using SAP-shells with improved range and accuracy will act as a deterrent for those who believe these birds to be easy prey. In return, the AA will be typically Italian.

Italian Aircraft Carrier Rondine, Tier IV

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In 1942, the Italian cruiser Bolzano received heavy torpedo damage from the submarine HMS Unbroken and consequently went into drydock for extensive repairs. During this time, some radical changes to the ship were discussed, including the removal of all guns and superstructure to turn the ship into a launch platform for seaplanes. With more resources and less pressure due to the war, a more extensive conversion to a full support carrier could have been possible.

Italian Aircraft Carrier Falcone, Tier VI

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After the end of WWI, Italy was left with the incomplete hull of battleship Francesco Caracciolo and was not able to complete it due to the Washington Naval Treaty. Under these circumstances, the completion of the ship as an aircraft carrier was discussed and plans were drawn up. However, due to the poor financial situation of Italy during this time, the plans never came to fruition.

Italian Aircraft Carrier Astore, Tier VIII

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With a dire need for aircraft carriers during WWII, it was decided to convert the incomplete Impero, the fourth ship of the Littorio-class into an aircraft carrier. Astore depicts an early design for such a conversion.

Italian Aircraft Carrier Condor, Tier X

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One of the last concepts for an aircraft carrier based on the hull of battleship Impero, but applied to the hull of a larger vessel that could have followed the construction of the Littorio-class. The ship is depicted in a cold-war era refit.

Italian Aircraft Carrier Sparviero, Tier VI

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The SS Augustus was to be converted alongside aircraft carrier Aquila, but to a radically different approach: while Aquila was supposed to end up as a full-fledged CV on par with those of Great Britain and the US, the ship known as Sparviero was designed to be as easily and quickly to convert as possible, taking on the role as a slow support vessel rather than a fleet-carrier. This endeavour ended in 1944, when the incomplete hull was sunk to block access to the port of Genoa.

In game, Sparviero will be much slower and frailer than her tech tree-counterparts, but features an impressive healthpool as compensation. She will only have access to a single type of normal aircraft, these being almost identical to those of her half-sister Aquila. This will force Sparviero to rely even more on her SAP-Airstrike, which is improved over those of her sisters. In return, Sparviero cannot count on the fuel smoke to save her from concentrated fire, and due to her weak armour, positioning will be even more important than on the tech tree-vessels. In terms of AA, Spaviero can rely upon improved fighters to fend of enemy carriers.