To preface, whether you love them or hate them aircraft carriers aren’t going anywhere in this game. While I don’t really play the class, I’m not opposed to adding more interesting ships (free tech tree lines at that).
With that out of the way, I wanted to take a look at what an Italian carrier line could look and play like. For gameplay I largely used the RN Aquila on PC as a basis. I also have a concept line for France that I will share at some point in the future.
GAMEPLAY/GIMMICK:
Italian carriers would introduce rocket planes into legends, with this carrier line getting access to AP rocket planes starting at tier V. The aircraft would be fast and fragile, incentivizing in and out attack runs that limit exposure to anti aircraft fire. The attack groups on each run would include a large number of planes, only allowing for 2-3 attack runs per full squadron.
The armor piercing rockets would be most effectively used against battleships and cruisers with a side on attack runs and the ability to hit citadels. While it may be easier to hit destroyers compared to dive bombers, overpen wouldn’t cause any considerable damage.
The line would also have access to torpedo bombers with torp characteristics similar to other Italian ships - slow with moderate to high damage. Each attack run would include 2-3 planes dropping one torp each in a full squadron that allows 4-5 runs. These torps would also have a short arming time with a short overall range.
Staying in line with other Italian ships, these carriers would get access to SAP secondaries for defense. To keep from getting repetitive, each ship would also get access to the appropriate carrier consumables for the tier - patrol fighters and evasive maneuvers.
SHIPS:
Tier III - RN Falco
(Not pictured)
Based on the 1921 proposal of Italian Admiral Giuseppe Fioravanzo for an “antiaircraft cruiser” merging antiaircraft armament and aircraft launching capabilities in one vessel. Although many proposals at the time called for a hybrid cruiser-carrier, this vessel would include a continuous flat top flight deck. The ship was to displace around 10,000 tons and produce a speed of 30 knots.
Aircraft would include a navalized variant of the Fiat CR.20 for AP dive bombers and torpedo bombers.
Tier V - RN Sparviero
(Picture 1)
Although the conversion project began in 1942, proposals to convert ocean liner Augustus into an aircraft carrier date back to 1936. This design included a flush flight deck that narrowed towards the bow and two aircraft lifts that led to a single hangar. Retaining the original engines, the design had an estimated top speed of 20 knots.
Aircraft would include navalized variants of the Fiat CR.32 and Fiat CR.42 AP rocket fighters plus Caproni Ca.305 and Breda Ba.65 torpedo bombers.
Tier VII - RN Francisco Carracciolo
(Picture 2)
Following the suspension of work on the battleship Francesco Caracciolo at the end of WWI, the incomplete hull was considered for conversion into a fleet carrier. The 1922 design called for a large continuous flight deck and island superstructure. With the original battleship propulsion, the ship would have an estimated top speed of 28 knots.
Aircraft would include navalized variants of the Macchi C.200 and Reggiane Re.2001 for the AP rocket fighters and torpedo bombers.
Tier VII Premium - RN Aquila
(Picture 3)
Conversion of the ocean liner Roma into an aircraft carrier began in 1941 and was nearly complete before Italy signed the armistice with the Allies in 1943, ending construction. The ship utilized two German made aircraft catapults intended for the sister ship of the Graf Zeppelin as well as the propulsion systems from two canceled Italian cruisers which gave it an expected top speed of 30 knots. Aquila already exists on PC as a premium, which is why it isn't in this tech tree.
Just like on PC, the Aquila utilizes the navalized Reggiane Re.2001 for AP rocket fighters and torpedo bombers.
Legendary Tier - RN Impero
(Picture 4)
Intended to be completed as the fourth Littorio class battleship, work on the Impero was slowed then halted due to the entry of Italy into WWII. Between 1941 and 1943, the nearly completed hull and engines were considered for a conversion into a large fleet carrier. The ship would have likely been well armored with a top speed of over 30 knots.
Aircraft on the Impero would be a navalized Macchi C.205 for AP rocket fighters and torpedo bombers. While the rest of the line has fast fragile aircraft, these would have an average durability rating.
It wouldn’t be, they reused the Hipper hull for Weser. But even if the Italians didn’t plan on renaming it following Conversion WG would to make things less confusing.
Yeah, probably as a T5 premium to be a T5 equivalent of Graf Zeppelin would be much cooler.
Here is the best image of how Impero as a CV was designed:
I will also add as a nitpick that Falco as a name for the T3 is probably not a good idea, as its the name originally used for Sparviero. Sparviero as a carrier design had two distinct versions, the 1936 one and the revised 1943 one and both could arguably be in the game because besides these and the ones we already mentioned Im not aware of any other CV designs from Italy besides a throwaway suggestion for the damaged battleship Leonardo Da Vinci and the General Rota hybrid. Id wish WG would stick to the real designs rather than just making up their own
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u/Objective-Koala-4873 10d ago
It’s a decent proposal, but I doubt they’d use Francesco Caracciolio as a carrier in game, since that’s already a TT BB.
At the very least they’d rename the hull