NAVYPEDIA

Photo

Armando Diaz pre-war

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
Luigi Cadorna			CRDA, Trieste	19.9.1930	30.9.1931	11.8.1933	stricken 5.1951
Armando Diaz			OTO, Muggiano	28.7.1930	10.7.1932	29.4.1933	sunk 25.2.1941

Technical data

Displacement standard, t	Cadorna: 5232 Diaz: 5321
Displacement full, t	Cadorna: 7001 Diaz: 7080
Length, m	160.0 pp 169.3 oa
Breadth, m	15.5
Draught, m	5.50 mean deep
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 sets Parsons geared steam turbines, 6 Yarrow boilers
Power, h. p.	95000
Max speed, kts	36.5
Fuel, t	oil 1211
Endurance, nm(kts)	Cadorna: 2930(16) Diaz: 3088(16)
Armour, mm	belt: 24 + 18, bulkheads: 20, decks: 20, turrets: 40, CT: 70 - 25, communication tube: 30
Armament	4 x 2 - 152/53 OTO 1929, 3 x 2 - 100/47 OTO 1928, 2 x 1 - 40/39 Vickers-Terni 1917, 4 x 2 - 13.2/76, 2 x 2 - 533 TT, 1 catapult, 2 seaplanes (P.6, M.41, Cant.25), 84 - 138 mines
Complement	544

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Two ships of the 1929-1930 programme were built under the modified design of 1st "Condottieri" series. A number of measures for decrease of the top weight that has positively affected a stability is undertaken, the hull strength was raised. The height of fore superstructure at the expense of abandoning from a hangar for seaplanes was moderated. Fixed catapult was transferred from forecastle deck to the aft superstructure between the aft funnel and No3 turret, having mounted it under an angle 30° to a centre line. A hangar was not, seaplanes were stored openly on the special area near to a catapult. The structure and an arrangement of armaments have not undergone changes, except for transition to 152mm/53 guns of new model M1929 in more spacious turrets.

Both cruisers of Luigi Cadorna class on trials have exceeded contract speed, however, as well as at 1st "Condottieri" series, to a beginning of war their speed did not exceed 31-32kts.

As a whole cruisers of the 1929-1930 programme have appeared a little bit more successful, than their predecessors, but during their building it became clear, that they yield to new light cruisers of other countries in everything, except speed, therefore the further development of scout type in the Italian fleet have refused in favour of creation of larger and well protected cruisers.

Ship protection

Main 24mm belt extended up to main deck between aft side of "A" and fore side "X" barbettes, parts of belt between fore and aft sides of "A" barbette and fore side of "X" and aft side of "Y" barbettes extended only up to lower deck and had 20mm thickness. 18mm longitudinal splinter bulkheads placed inside hull in 2m from side. The belt was closed by 20mm bulkheads. Flat 20mm main deck connected with upper edge of main belt. Directors had 25mm protection.

Modernizations

1938, both: - 2 x 1 - 40/39; + 4 x 2 - 20/65 Breda 1935, 2 DCT (40 DC)

late 1943, Luigi Cadorna: - 4 x 2 - 13.2/76, catapult with seaplanes; + 4 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon

1944, Luigi Cadorna: - 2 x 2 - 533 TT

Naval service

Armando Diaz was sunk 25.2.1941 off Sfax by British submarine Upright. Luigi Cadorna was used as TS from 1947 and laid up in 1950.