admin7126 United Kingdom – Escort Aircraft Carriers: HMS Vindex, Nairana, Campania The Nairana-class escort carrier were three converted fast diesel cargo ships built in England, Ireland and Scotland, on a stnadard basic design launched in mid-1943 and requisitioned by the RN to be converted. They however could only accommodate a composite squadron of 15–20 aircraft over … Read more
FS Suffren, FS Duquesne 1962-2008 The Suffren class were two missile fleet escorts of the French Navy, assigned to the new French aircraft carrier groups based around Foch and Clemenceau. They had to protect the fleet against air, surface and submarine threats and first French ships specifically designed as guided missile destroyers. Ordered in 1960, … Read more
Royal Canadian Navy – St.Laurent, Saguenay, Skeena, Ottawa, Margaree, Fraser, Assiniboine The Saint Laurent class destroyers were the first large warships designed and built in Canada postwar, as ASW escorts tailored for the northwest atlantic conditions. Albeit partly based on the Type 12 and later Whitby class Frigates, they were singular in many aspects and … Read more
Italian Regia Marina Ironclads, 1862-1890s: Regina Maria Pia, San Martino, Castelfidardo, Ancona Development history The Regina Maria Pia class was a group of four ironclads built for the Regia Marina in the 1860s. The class comprised four ships, Regina Maria Pia, San Martino, Castelfidardo, and Ancona. They were built by French shipyards, as Italian yards … Read more
Project 57b, 57A (1959-1993) 8 conventional destroyers (1+ cancelled) built 1957-1960: Gremyashchy, Zhguchy, Zorky, Derzky, Gnevny, Uporny, Boyky, Gordy, Khrabry Project 57, First Soviet Missile Destroyers Project 57b destroyers (NATO Krupny) were derived from Project 56A ships (NATO Kotlin M), but equipped with missile launchers after conversion trials of Project 56M Kildin. They were among … Read more
Confederate Navy (1863) Single prototype, following Pioneer and American Diver 1861-63 So many books and documentaries, even featured films were made about this particular Confederate vessel. HL Hunley was indeed an early precursor, and although human-propelled, born from desperation, she was the first to sink a warship in operation. “the Hunley” was also a vicious … Read more
USN Cold War Destroyers 6 classes, 68 ships 1947-1990 The story of US Cold War destroyers is a gradual evolution from WW2 legacy vessels to a modern missile-armed force capable of addressing any threat in the air, surface and underwater, with satellite communication and support in gound operations. A full overview from the Gearings to … Read more
Scouts (cruisers): Leone, Tigre, Pantera (+Leopardo, Lince cancelled 1920) 1921-1941 The last “Esploratori” (scouts) were ordered in 1917 but built after WWI due to shortages, and largely inspired by the previous 1916 Mirabello class. They were almost an up-scaling with heavier guns, capable of 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph). They were re-rated as destroyers … Read more
Patrol Submersibles 1917-45: 32 over the L1, L9 and L50 classes, 30+ cancelled 1918 The L class submersibles were the last built for the RN during the great war, and some saw even action in WW2 as training boats. They were the last of the long line going back to the Holland boats of 1901, … Read more
France (1899-1927) – Armored Cruisers: Dupleix, Desaix, Kléber The Dupleix class consisted armored cruisers of the Marine Nationale were designed for overseas service (hence three ships for three stations, Atlantic, Mediterranean and Far East). They were armed with eight 164.7 mm (6.5 in) guns, smaller and less powerful compared to their predecessors but with a … Read more
