Italian Heavy Cruisers. From Trent to Bolzano

Книга на английском языке
When the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 effectively banned the building of battleships, competition between the major navies concentrated on the next most powerful category, heavy cruisers limited to 10,000 tons displacement and 8-inch guns. Italy followed this trend, the first design for what became Trento and Trieste being ordered in 1924. These were the fastest of the first generation ‘Treaty’ cruisers but were very lightly armoured, and the succeeding Zara class of four ships were slower but better protected. However, before the final ship of this class (Pold) had been completed, there was a return to the earlier fast, lightly protected concept with the Bolzano, although this ship also incorporated aspects of the Zara design.
The political background, design history and technical features of these classes are covered in great depth in this volume. They were important ships, subject to incremental improvement so no two were identical, and modelmakers in particular will appreciate the space devoted to the variations in appearance, using both description and illustration. As major units of the Italian battlefleet, they were very active during the war and their careers are fully detailed, including analyses of damage suffered. Tragically, none survived to see postwar service and the full circumstances of each loss is explored.
As befits a technical history, the book is thoroughly illustrated with ship and armament plans, detail drawings and colour camouflage schemes, as well as an outstanding collection of photographs. Translated from the same series that produced the highly successful Italian Battleships, this volume is a fitting companion.

Содержание
Introduction
Chapter 1: Italian Naval Policy and the 10,000-ton Cruiser
Chapter 2: Technical Description
A: Trento Class and Bolzano
B: Zara Class
Chapter 3: Weapons and Fire Control
A: Trento Class and Bolzano
B: Zara Class
Chapter 4: Aviation Facilities
A: Trento Class and Bolzano
B: Zara Class
Chapter 5: Camouflage
Chapter 6: Pre-War Activity of Italian Heavy Cruisers (1929-1940)
Chapter 7: Wartime Careers (June 1940 - May 1945)
Chapter 8: Conclusions and Comparisons
Appendix A: Damage and Losses during the Second World War
Appendix B: Plans for Modifications and Reconstruction of Bolzano
Appendix C: Movements and Deployments of Italian Heavy Cruisers in the Second World War
Appendix D: Italian Heavy Cruiser Bridge Towers
Appendix E: Full Speed and Range Trials with Maximum Fuel Allocation
Appendix F: Night Gunfire
Sources and Bibliography
Index