Tupolev TB-1 P (1930) 1931-34: 66 converted. The Tupolev Saga For that introductory matter into Soviet naval air power, it is important to stress the importance of Andrei Tupolev, not only for the development of bombers, to put in parrallel to Boeing, but in aviation in general. His models, taking the best innovations of its … Read more
Vasco Da Gama (1875) – Armoured Corvette with a 58 years career Portugal – Ironclad 1875-1935 The Portuguese Ironclad In the early 16th century, Portugal, the most prosperous nation on earth thanks its innovations in navigation, exploration and conquest had an immense colonial Empire strectching from the coasts of Africa, to South America, the Indian … Read more
Germany (1914-1920) – SMS Königsberg, Karlsruhe, Emden, Nürnberg The replacement cruisers Painting of the Karlsruhe in Scapa Flow A new, unnamed class was programmed in 1913 already to replaced the Wiesbaden class. They were an incremental step in design, larger, and four cruisers were started as WWI broke out, SMS Königsberg, Karlsruhe, Emden, Nürnberg, soon … Read more
The standard Italian onboard observation floatplane Aviazione Ausiliaria per la Regia Marina 193 built 1934-41 In WW2, the bulk of Regia Marina units were equipped in June 1940 with a sturdy biplane introduced in 1935: The Romeo (IMAM) Ro.43. It replaced the Piaggio P.6 in service from 1928. It was about time as the latter … Read more
United Kingdom/Canada – (1940-45): 263 ships*. The cheap answer to British ASW warfare The Flower class corvettes were a serie of anti-submarine corvettes, specialized in this work in all weather conditions and particular in that they were all built in civilian, and not military years. British frigates like the 139 River class built in WW2, … Read more
Grumman F8F Bearcat (1944) Carrier-based Fighter The last Grumman classic Piston engine Fighter Development and design The F8F was conceived to be capable of operating from aircraft carriers of all sizes and to be used primarily as an intercept fighter, a task that required excellent maneuverability, good low-altitude performance and high rate of climb. In … Read more
IJN armoured aircraft carrier. The world’s largest aircraft carrier The third member of the Yamato super-battleships, IJN Shinano (信濃 – A province in Central Japan) had an uncertain fate before it was decided to convert her as an aicraft carrier, capitalizing on the best armoured hull in the world at the time, and record displacement. … Read more
Novara class Steam Frigates (1857) Austro-Hungarian Navy 1843-1900, SMS Novara, Schwarzenberg The Novara class was one of two largely similar, but not sister-ships, two frigates with various interesting backstories and fates, with long and illustrious career for the Austro-Hungarian Navy. At thei design core, two typical sailing frigates whch later received steam engine. Powerfully armed, … Read more
The Netherlands – 1893-1920: HRMS Kortenar, Evertsen, Piet Hein The three Evertsen class were the first Dutch Netherland’s Navy modern coastal battleships, built after a long line of monitors. Built in 1893-96, they played their role as deterrent before WWI and started to be decommissioned in 1913, 1914, and 1920 for HRMS Kortenaer, as a … Read more
Naval Artillery – All types, caliber and timeframe I considered important, in complement to the subject matter of this wesbite – warships – to have a look more in detail about their primary payload and the way it evolved and created new tactics. It seems obvious at first glance, when looking at the ful picture … Read more
