Regia Marina 1926 Elia-Rota “assault” Cruiser

In the 1925/26 General (NC) Rota and Commander Elia (expert of underwater weapons) designed an unit of 8700 tons, armed with 6 190mm, 6 102mm, 4 AA, 200 depth mines, 40 MAS and 100 torpedoes. The unit had a flight deck to allow airplane's takeoff, but not landing. No lateral or anti torpedo protection Two design variant were developed: I …

General Rota hybrid carrier/cruiser, 1925.

This model (probably a 1/100 one) is preserved at Museo Tecnico Navale, La Spezia. Specs were: 12480 tons, 8/203 in 2 quadruples, 6/120, 12/40 mm (2*6) Collapsable funnels and masts when needed, special stern for seaplanes recovery, smoke diverted to the side when needed. This kind of unit would avoid the Washington Treaty tonnage restrictions for cruiser, …