My burgeoning Italian Fleet

[Captain_Nemo]

Having been Inspired my Agis and, prodded into action by the Gunbird's recent pics; I spent the last 3 hours working on my Panzerschiffe Italian ships.

This is the results of my efforts.

Yes they are ugly but they are mine!

I got the painting information from a book (more like a magazine really) called Pictorial Warships #23 Italian Heavy Cruisers of WWII. You can find it here http://www.classicwarships.com/warship_pictorial/warship_pictorial.html

They have some nice color paintings of the view of the Zara and, Trento
classes from directly overhead in 1/350 and, 1/750 scale in the center spread plus they have the history of each of the main ships in a chronologhical format.

As for my painting, well, I aspire to be as good as Agis and Gunbird so I'll keep trying

 

[DM]

I always have a soft spot for Italian WW2 ships, probably stemming from my brother making me an amazing 1/1200 model of Vittorio Veneto when I was much younger. Despite "propaganda" to the contrary much of their kit was rather good

 

[Lord David the Denied]

What's the red/white pattern at the bow all about?

 

[DM]

They were air recognition markings, a bit like the constantly changing German turret top colours.

 

[Lord David the Denied]

I see... like the British Army land rovers with Union Flags taped to the roofs...

 

[Captain_Nemo]

Yes, recognition markers. The markers were originally all white but when the Italian Air Force attacked their own ships again because they thought they were British ships, they added the red stripes. That addition helped at bit.
I'd really hate my own side if they could remember that "good guys wear white"