Italian aircraft carrier Aquila

"Aquila" (Italian language: "Eagle") was an Italian aircraft carrier designed and built during World War II. It was a modification of the liner "Roma". The conversion started in 1941; at the time of the Italian armistice (8 September 1943), the conversion was almost complete, but the ship was never delivered to the Regia Marina. It was scrapped in 1952.

Italian aircraft carriers

"Aquila" is considered the first aircraft carrier built for the Italian Navy, and the only one before "Giuseppe Garibaldi". However, the Regia Marina had already tested the capabilities of ships with improved air capabilities, just after World War I. In 1923, the seaplane carrier was already under construction, the name of the ship was changed to "Aquila". The propulsion section was obtained by combining two motor compounds built for two light cruisers of the Her major drawback was an operational one: even if finished before the end of the war, the Regia Marina would have had trouble training the pilots.

"Aquila"'s fate

The conversion started at Cantieri Ansaldo, Genoa, in mid-1941. After the armistice of 8 September 1943, when the ship was nearly completed and had already passed the first static test, Germany took possession of the ship. "Aquila" was damaged during some Allied air attacks on Genoa. Since it was possible that the Germans would have used the big keel to block the entrance to Genoa port, "Aquila" was partially scuttled by Italian commando frogmen. After the war, "Aquila" was brought to La Spezia, where she was scrapped in 1951-52.

References

ee also

* List of aircraft carriers

External links

* [http://digilander.libero.it/planciacomando/unita/porta4.htm Portaerei Aquila] - Plancia di Comando