Vittorio Veneto — Littorio-Class Italian Battleship Model, 36 in
Vittorio Veneto — Littorio-Class Italian Battleship Model, 36 in
How big is it?
Length about 91 cm / 36.0 in. Drawn to scale; the model outline is a simplified shape.
Model details
- Size
- 36 in / 91 cm
- Construction
- Handcrafted
- Condition
- Fully assembled, ready to display
- Display
- Wooden base with brass nameplate
- Collection
- Battle Ship Models
- Item no.
- CM590
The larger edition of Italy's finest battleship, at 36 inches.
Specification
- 36 inches
- Handcrafted hull and superstructure
- Three triple main turrets with individual barrel detail
- Secondary turrets, anti-aircraft mounts, stern catapult and aircraft
- Masts, rangefinders, radar and boats
- Mounted on a display base with nameplate
- Fully assembled
Guns that were too good
The Italian 381mm gun fired a heavier shell at a higher velocity than almost any comparable weapon, giving exceptional range and penetration on paper.
In practice Italian gunnery at sea was notoriously inconsistent, and the reason was manufacturing. Barrels and shells varied enough between batches that rounds fired in the same salvo landed in a wide, scattered pattern rather than a tight group — which makes correcting fire nearly impossible.
An excellent gun, undermined by tolerances.
History
Commissioned 1940. Fought at Spartivento and Matapan, was torpedoed by British aircraft, survived the war, and was handed to Britain as reparations before being broken up in 1948.