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Post by dorn on Oct 17, 2019 8:57:52 GMT -6
Honestly, I would save a refit of the Tarantos till we get DP guns and do something like Variant B, but domestically. Our newer 15in guns should be of similar quality to the British models. What would the estimated time for both options be? British have better 15" guns (Q1, we have only Q0) and important is that they have improved triple turrets. Otherwise refit has no sence at all. Refit should take 12 months, I am thinking about 1 to 2 ships having such refit as it will increase their capabilities quite a lot and it is not needed for all ships as they can be relegated to support duties earlier. And refitted ships will have better firepower than new class of battlecruisers and their armour would be just slightly worse.
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Post by dorn on Oct 17, 2019 11:22:37 GMT -6
November 1914
Personal log - the 5th of November 1914
Cruiser Verona has finished working up. It seems she is powerful ship, quite realiable. Afternoon I have finished meeting with Ansaldo representatives as they ask permission to build several small corvettes for African country which I approved. They have informed me that they find a way how to increase subdivision of ships without any increase of weight.
Personal log - the 27th of November 1914
Finally, budget for 1915 has been approved. It includes new construction of 2 battleships, 3 trade protection cruisers, large refit of one Taranto class battleship and 7.5M of reserve funds.
As usual I get news about foreign nations: Royal Navy has laid down the second Benbow class battleship - 31300 tons French Navy is refitting D'Assas cruiser with heavier guns - note this information seems incorrect
USN has laid down another Ticonderoga class battlecruiser - 32700 tons
Russia has commissioned battleship Borodino - 24200 tons, 24 knots, 10x14" guns (8 guns broadside), 8" belt armour
December 1914
Personal log - the 4th of December 1914
I have just ordered Marco Polo, another battlecruiser of Leonardo da Vinci class and cruiser Brescia of Padua class. I get some other information about Austria cruiser Bravo as it seems that she is able to reach only 29 knots. It makes decision about speed of Padua class being only 28 knots quite reasonable.
Personal log - the 11th of December 1914
Alessandria a Ravenna cruisers have been commissioned so finally we have all five Milano class cruisers ready to duty. During the day we have visit from Austria-Hungary, the cruiser Bravo. I have been asked by journalists about their ship I have been invited to inspect and give them true answer that our Milano class cruisers are certainly much better.
Personal log - the 30th of December 1914
Read Admiral Dizzy should come from USA tommorow and I am really eager to read his report of this visit and detailed suggestions about new trade protection cruiser. I have even new task for him. He will take Taranto in February to Portsmouth to start refit. I expect he will handover her after the year and after finishing refit I expect from him report on quality of works, guns, improvements on protection and recommendations on improvements for refit of another Taranto class battleship.
It seems that all navies are scrapping older ships quite a lot. It seems quite good decision do it at the beginning of this year.
Royal Navy laid down another Benbow class battleship - 31300 tons
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Post by dizzy on Oct 18, 2019 0:47:21 GMT -6
Back from America! Personal log, 30th of December 1914
On New Years eve I intend to meet with Admiral Dorn and let him know of all the goings on in America. What an amazing country! I am pleased to note that I made fantastic friendships with the Navy Brass. Exchanging gifts, drinking of wines and the telling of tall tales has helped solidify the bond between our two nations. In fact, so convinced of our friendship, talk of an alliance is being floated around among their politicians. We will see where this leads. Among the most notable of newfound acquaintances I made, was that of Josephus Daniels, secretary of the US Navy. We got off to a zinger of a start after I told him the story of L’amore è cieco, Rovena of Palermo that sunk an Austrian naval ship. After many a dinner with Italian fine wine and beautiful American girls, I was gifted most generously with barrels of Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey, courtesy of the Secretary in the wake of his General Order 99 that prohibits alcohol aboard US naval vessels and stations. I had to bribe the customs officer to let the shipment into the naval dock and onboard as cargo for the journey back. It only cost me a barrel. I have still have more barrels than I can count! The US Navy may have to wake up to a 'Cup o' morning Joe', but the Regia Marina won't have to only drink coffee in the morning! On to the business at hand. I was able to snap several photos of the USS Ticonderoga under construction due to the trust I had built with the navy brass. These series of photos will be going to our spy department and forwarded to the navy's building and technical groups for analysis. They sure do know how to build big ships in America. I hope we may gleam something novel from this. Perhaps AoN armor ideas? I also at length, discussed trade protection issues with the secretary and he arranged for some prominent ship designers to recommend a new CL for trade protection. I feel confident in the design we hashed out together, although it is expensive. There was some consternation from their designers on the lack of torpedo protection, but I was adamant that in this role, it was wasted tonnage on this ship. Armor that allows speed to keep enemy ships at the proper range is agreed to be paramount. This combination ensures this vessel survive any theoretical encounter and its long range will allow the use in waters with no bases . The USA may build a variant of this ship themselves they say, although they seemed unusually eager to get my approval and setup an order. This has made me suspect of the whole design. Perhaps I will go over alternatives with Admiral Dorn and see what he thinks, yet any vessel similar to this cannot be built elsewhere, so another option will entail a completely different design. I shall bring with me a Barrel of Kentucky Bourbon and Tennessee Whiskey to see Admiral Dorn for New Years to celebrate and ring in the new year! It seems appropriate! Rear Admiral Dizzy Chairman of Trade Protection, Regia Marina
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Post by dorn on Oct 20, 2019 13:44:49 GMT -6
January 1915
Personal log - the 1st of January 1915
Just sitting at home, warming my legs by the crackling fireplace. I am just thinking of the last year, what was achieved and what was not.
I was able to save almost 400 M for 3 battlecruisers which we have no funds available and start construction of 2 new battlecruises with similar firepower, only 1 not slower, but much better protection. Another achievement was finishing Milano class even scrapping 2 ships of the class and replace them with 2 much smaller cruisers was difficult decision and only future will show me if this was right one. However we does not achieve continuation of treaty with USA. We still have excellent relations but without treaty USA will help us only economically against France.
Starting new Sereno project is certainly good thing but we are at the beginning and the same is true about our intention to secure our trade routes and prepare to defend them during war.
Personal log - the 2nd of January 1915
Quite happy day as we have just agreed with USA that they will sell us design principles of their all or nothing armour principle. Rear Admiral Dizzy made good impresson on Americans. May be we can build our cruisers domestically.
Personal log - the 4th of January 1915
I have just meeting with Rear Admiral Dizzy. I congratulate him for his achievement in USA and listen what happened. It was quite interesting and as I expected we can count with US industry to supply us ships we need. I think it is much safer than counting with German shipyards. However I need to continue to push our industry to maximum. My intention is that withing 5 years our industry will be in such shape we can order our capital ships home and we can start building ships which will be best in the world.
Admiral Dizzy shows me offer from Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I was quite clear to him, my plan is to laid down 3 cruiser for trade protection duty starting in middle of the year, but the budget for one ship is 1.2 M per month. He needs to find savings. I give him several remarks which he needs to think about. The first one was protection which we agree is important but I emphasize that most important is protection of machinery and magazine, guns and conning tower is not priority. I give him question he have no quick answer about the speed of such ship. How so high speed which costs so much can help ship which main task is to protect slow merchants so such ship cannot leave her position and let enemy raider to sink merchants. I told him that the ship must be at least as fast as usual battlecruisers which is 27-28 knots maximum. I ask him why he give that design such high speed if only 1 gun can fire forward so ships is not designed to chase enemy. I told him I expect reavulation of this issue and give me answer at the beginning of March at latest.
Personal log - the 29th of January 1915
I have just finished meeting with Ansaldo. They have informed me that they heavy ready for production first double turrets 5" guns as secondary armament for capital ships. I decided to transfer funds from design focus to other fields.
List of new from foreign nations: Royal Navy has laid down the 4th battleship of Benbow class - 31300 tons Germany has laid down the 2nd battlecruiser of Erfurt class - 31700 tons
USA - A new floatplane scout Curtiss Crusader is entering service
Personal log - the 30th of January 1915
I have just received the first offers for Sereno project. I have asked about 3 versions, one cheap version with 21 knots and 10 % increase of costs to Leonardo da Vinci battlecruiser - about 110M, the second version with increased costs up to around 20 % and the third vesion as fast battleship with 27 knots of version 1.
I do not ask British shipyard as they still not have torpedo protection. It is a pity as their guns and turrets are second to none. I was quite suprised that Italian industry was able to offer really competitive offers. It seems that I am going right way. And German shipyards seems to be loosing as they offers seems not as good as Italians or Americans. So it seems that final decision will be limited by budget and the question if 15" guns are satisfactory or 16" guns are needed.
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Post by dizzy on Oct 20, 2019 23:53:54 GMT -6
January 1915
Admiral Dizzy shows me offer from Norfolk Naval Shipyard. I was quite clear to him, my plan is to laid down 3 cruiser for trade protection duty starting in middle of the year, but the budget for one ship is 1.2 M per month. He needs to find savings. I give him several remarks which he needs to think about. The first one was protection which we agree is important but I emphasize that most important is protection of machinery and magazine, guns and conning tower is not priority. I give him question he have no quick answer about the speed of such ship. How so high speed which costs so much can help ship which main task is to protect slow merchants so such ship cannot leave her position and let enemy raider to sink merchants. I told him that the ship must be at least as fast as usual battlecruisers which is 27-28 knots maximum. I ask him why he give that design such high speed if only 1 gun can fire forward so ships is not designed to chase enemy. I told him I expect reavulation of this issue and give me answer at the beginning of March at latest. Personal Log, February 3rd, 1915Admiral Dorn was not pleased with the USA CL Raider design. I can't say I blame him. It's an expensive boat to be sure and one overqualified for the job. His main objection, of course, was money. If I am to ever be promoted, I shall have to pay rapt attention to budgetary matters now and learn from Admiral Dorn as he rigidly adheres to tight spending constraints. I can't say it's a bad policy, yet I wonder if I myself would be kept from the temptation to overspend. I can't say, in all honesty, that I would not carefully second guess building a ship in response to another nation and not simply design one to be a class leader in the first place. I suppose that sort of thinking is left to those with larger budgets. Despite the expense, the ship would have been capable of intercepting enemy raiders and destroying them, but it's not what the Admiral wants. It is, however, the type of ship the USA was trying to sell us. So, I played my part, acted as if we would place an order and we got the AoN Armor technology from the USA, and we are contract free to pursue any design from this point. Win win At any rate, I have prepared four example designs from which to help finalize our trade protection cruiser. The variants are invariably cheaper to build domestically than in the USA. There are two main variants with displacement differences that include better armor protection and variants of those with Reliable and Normal Engine builds. I shall present these designs to Admiral Dorn in the coming week and see what modifications he would prefer from this starting point. Note that all secondary guns may be placed in single turrets. Also, I think the inexpensive design is as close to being able to field four of these vessels as budgetary concerns permit, but the fourth vessel may have to be delayed several months due to not being able to achieve design aims within budget constraints. It was a close call. Some tonnage on most designs have been left for fire control upgrades and torpedo mounts. Rear Admiral Dizzy Chairman of Trade Protection, Regia Marina
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Post by dorn on Oct 21, 2019 12:58:53 GMT -6
Ferbruary 1915
Personal log - the 1st of February 1915
Not all things are going well, Severo project is delayed by bad management and not enough clarity what ships Regia Marina needs. It is even my fault. The Committee of Severo project start to debate about different things which should be already decided. Some arguments were for cheap variant, some for more armour, other for fast version. But there was even idea of building battlecruiser instead of battleship. It open up another options as building Leonardo da Vinci just with another 16" double turret. Certainly not conslusion after whole day spent. I will have tough days to define what ships we really need and take into considaration budget limits. At least one thing was clear, as nobody has faith in triple turrets, decision was made to have ship with 4x2x16" guns.
Personal log - the 4th of February 1915
I have meeting with Naval Secretary. He was not happy about news on Severo project but at least after his started to give me a monolog how these ships should be I was able to stop him. At least jobs done in last year give me some prestige in his eyes. But most important topic was our industry. He wants that some ship will be built by our local industry. We had a long discussion as I agree with him that it is important but I expect that the first orders will be in 2 years as I do not thing that our industry is ready now but he give me no choice. I think Rear Admiral Dizzy will be not happy for that as it is clear that trade protection cruisers will be choosen for home construction as capital ships need to be built in USA using her 16" turrets.
Personal log - the 10th of February 1915
Rear Admiral Dizzy was not happy about situation with trade protection cruisers but he had no choice. His variants looks quite well. We have some discussion about them but clearly it was more about some small improvements as basic concept seems solid. I propose him idea that we have 3.6M per month for 3 cruisers and if he is able to save some costs to 0.9 per ship we can build 4 cruisers instead of 3. With Italian shipyards which are slower it could be possible. Another things we discuss were deck armour. I promise him that as I have meeting with Ansaldo on Friday and will ask them of test with their 6" guns over different plates of 1-2" of armour and splinter penetration. We spoke about number of guns and agreed that 7 guns broadside would be better but 6 is quite acceptable. Than we speak about speed, I suggest if we can make 28 knots, it would allow more flexibility. Another possibility we have spoken about was torpedo tubes. We agree that sumberged torpedo tubes are probably not useful but it can be good have some spare weight for future refit if budget alllows it. I give him my full support and ask him about preparation 2-3 final designs which we choose one from and give some estimation how much more costly is building them in our shipyard instead of Norfolk.
Personal log - the 12th of February 1915
I have meeting with Ansaldo. We have spoken about need of testing 6" guns splinter against 1-2" armour. They offer me new type of submarine with enhanced range capable of operating even in Northern Europe from our bases. I informed them we have no budget for them but we are interested in testing the prototype. I inform them to cooperate with Rear Admiral Dizzy about our new cruiser design.
Personal log - the 27th of February 1915
Taranto was ordered to depart for Porthsmouth for refit.
I got regular report on foreign nations. This type I was concerned by new French battlecruiser which was laid down. It is only 900 tons larger than Dunkerque class however her design is almost 3 years more modern.
France has laid down new Nancy class battlecruiser - 30000 tons
Russia has laid down new Grengam class battlecruiser - 31500 tons
March 1915
Personal log - the 15th of March 1915
Finally Sereno class project was approved. I choose slightly change U1 variant. The issue is we have not enough ships against French so slower but reasonable armoured battleship is best choice. The details plans were ordered from Norfolk shipyard and the first ship of class will be named Italia.
Personal log - the 18th of March 1915
I have agreed to sell technology of reliable delay fuzes to Russia. I do not think Russia will jeopardize our interests in next ten years. I decided to start new competition for flying boat. Taranto started refit for 39M. She will get brand new triple turrets with much better reliability and excellent British Mk1 15" guns. Her magazines will be smaller, capable only for 90 shells per gun. Turret armour will be 13.5" forward (no change), 5" top (previously 3.5"). Her 6" guns in casemates will be replaced by 6 double 5" turrets protected by 1" of armour. She received 1" of deck armour over machinery and magazines.
Personal log - the 30th of March 1915 Regular review of foreign nations.
Royal Navy has laid down the 5th Benbow class battleship - 31300 tons
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Post by dorn on Oct 21, 2019 13:19:21 GMT -6
You have very likely modded game as your numbers does not fit into vanilla game.
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Post by dizzy on Oct 21, 2019 14:39:48 GMT -6
Ahh thanks. I’ll do that and get on it. Been busy updating to the 1.10 version. The updated designs have been edited to the post above. dorn
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Post by dorn on Oct 22, 2019 14:38:51 GMT -6
April 1915
Personal log - the 5th of April 1915 We have worked hard to finalize design for our new Nino Bixio class trade protection cruiser. I give Rear Admiral Dizzy report from Ansaldo stating that splinters from 6" shells cannot certainly go through 2" of deck armour, 1.5" of deck armour is enough by test even if teoretically something can go through. Even 1" of deck armour give enough protection and by lucky hit small spliter can go through with little remaining energy. So final design is variant 2 with only minor change to increase belt armour to 3" and decrease deck armour to 1".
Personal log - the 30th of April 1915 One of our agents has been caught in France trying to obtain plans for new battlecruiser. I decided to reveal it as it would be only formal gesture otherwise. They now we are trying to obtains plans of their new ships. But I get better news today that new airship with better tail is entering service. Russia has commissioned new battlecruiser Fokshani of her class - 29400 tons, 27 knots, 9x14" guns, 9" belt armour
May 1915 Personal log - the 3rd of May 1915 We have just finished several days visit of Russian delegation and agreed on selling technology Steoroscopic rangefinders to them. I do not feel that Russia can be helpful to us but Prime Minister thinks otherwise. Personal log - the 10th of May 1915 I have just finished visit of Whitehead Silurificio factory in Fiume. They show me their new model of torpedoes and triple torpedo tubes. I think I need to find some funds for destroyers next year in the budget.
Personal log - the 12th of May 1915 I have just order the first crusier Nino Bixio. So we should have one old protected cruiser, 5 new Milano class cruisers, 2 Padua class scout cruisers and 3 Nino Bixio class cruisers. Our cruiser force will be not as large as other nations but quite modern. Personal log - the 31st of May 1915 I was quite suprised that France has laid down another battlecruiser as they have under construction 2 battleships, 5 battlecruisers and 2 light cruisers having only about 1/3rd of higher budget.
Royal Navy has laid down the 2nd Tiger class battlecruiser - 30000 tons
France has laid down new Rouen class battlecruiser - 30400 tons
Russia has laid down the 2nd Grengam class battlecruiser - 31500 tons
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Post by dizzy on Oct 23, 2019 1:26:33 GMT -6
The French are going to have a lot of guns!
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Post by dorn on Oct 23, 2019 12:59:22 GMT -6
June 1915
Personal log - the 5th of June 1915
I have just received report from financial department about estimation of French financial situation relating to such high construction program. They estimates that their construction program costs them about 25.5M per month within their budget of 34.7M per month and could maintain such a pace of construction for about a year. It will be difficult as we can build about 5 capital ships at one time.
Afternoon another good report was provided by intelligence, giving plans of Rouen. They got them from our spy that was revealed by France but he was able to send out plans to safety. I would tell we can be easy with new battlecruiser, she has a lot of guns but armour of our new battlecruiser under construction should be thick enough to protect her against 14" guns.
Personal log - the 29th of June 1915
I have been informed that our industry made another great steps, making better circulation in boilers and improved armour bracing and new 16" guns comparable to American ones. As construction of Nino Bixio cruiser has just started all these new technologies will be implemented into new construction.
USA has laid down new Ohio class battleship - 33300 tons
Germany has commissioned 3rd battleship of Helgoland class class - 27100 tons, 21 knots, 8x13", 13.5" belt armour
July 1915
Personal log - the 3rd of July 1915
New battleship Italia has been just ordered in Norfolk shipyard in USA.
Personal log - the 31st of July 1915
Royal Navy has laid down the 3rd battlecruiser of Tiger class - 30000 tons
August 1915
Personal log - the 4th of August 1915
Marshala cruiser of Nino Bixio class has been laid down. After large discussion within Admiralty I push through the Board enlargement of dock La Spezia Arsenale.
Personal log - the 18th of August 1915
Prime Minister inform me and Naval Secretary about French proposal about disputed island in the Mediterranean and agreement we will not build any bases in Corsica or Sardinia. I told Prime Minister I do not believe French as their construction program is focused to fight our Navy.
Personal log - the 30th of August 1915
La Spezia Aresenale informed me that they improved longitudinal framing of a hull.
Austria has laid down the 4th battleship of Viribus Unitis class - 23000 tons
Russia has commissioned battleship Chesma of Foksani class - 29400 tons, 27 knots, 9x14" guns, 9" belt armour
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Post by dorn on Oct 24, 2019 14:57:58 GMT -6
September 1915
Personal log - the 6th of September 1915
After all technological invention during last months I decided that 3rd Nino Bixio class cruiser will be laid down as modified design. The ship received larger machinery and is designed for 28 knots. To save some weight, 4" guns were removed, wings 6" guns were removed too and L centerline guns was installed instead. To able to mount L gun and because of enlarged machinery, forward funnel was moved forward just behind forward tower. This subclass will be named Quarto.
Personal log - the 14th of September 1915
I order battleship Roma in Norfolk shipyard. Lader shooting was invented and starts using in Regia Marina.
Personal log - the 30th of September 1915
Cruiser Quarto has been laid down in Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia.
Austria has laid down 2nd battlecruiser of Mähren class - 29600 tons
France has commissioned battlecruiser Dunkerque - 29000 tons, 27 knots, 8x14", 14x6, 4x3" guns, 12" belt, 2" deck, 10.5" turret armour
Germany has commisisoned battlecruiser Chemnitz - 28600 tons, 27 knots, 12.5" belt
October 1915
Personal log - the 13th of October 1915
It was tough day, explanation why there is limited investment into new ships, why I put into budget only 6 new destroyers and start of new capital ship at the end of 1916 but budget for 1916 has been approved.
Personal log - the 30th of October 1915
Austria has laid down new Banat class battleship - 31100 tons
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Post by dorn on Oct 25, 2019 13:13:23 GMT -6
November 1915
Personal log - the 5th of November 1915
After some discussion about aircrafts there has been developed thinking of using small ships with crane and hangar for several seaplanes to use them as scout of fleets. However such aicrafts are just in testing so I stop any attemps to build one till seaplane will be tested from ports.
Personal log - the 9th of November 1915
Captain kriegsmeister , head of aviation research, comes to me to speak about aviation today. He suggest that we do not need to build new ship as seaplane carrier but we can use old protected cruiser Cagliari. The second point of the visit was testing of new prototypes. He suggested to use Z.61 from CANT because of superior range which I approved. Than we was speaking about requirements of new prototypes of floatplanes and we agree that reliability is the most important.
Personal log - the 30th of November 1915
Russia has laid down new battlecruiser of Sinop class - 31700 tons
Germany has laid down the 3rd battlecruiser of Erfurt class - 31700 tons
December 1915
Personal log - the 13th of December 1915
New design study of new class of destroyer was finished and quickly approved.
Personal log - the 20th of December 1915
Our Whitehead torpedoes were improved by improved gyroscope and give as range of 10000 yards with speed of 27 knots or 4500 yards with speed of 37 knots.
I get new information about Austrian Mähren class battlecruiser. I think we have nothing to worry about.
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Post by dorn on Oct 27, 2019 7:18:50 GMT -6
January 1916
Personal log - the 5th of January 1916 I have just ordered 6 destroyers of Impavido class in La Spazia Arsenale and Regio Cantiere di Castellammare di Stabia. Personal log - the 19th of January 1916 After large French naval rearmament program constructing 7 capital ships and 2 cruisers was take in place, I insisted on strengtening our Ria Marina. Finlally today government approved increased budget for Regia Marina. Situation with France continue to escalate. I have ordered reactivation battlecruiser reserve and ordered another 5 destroyer of Impaido class.
Personal log - the 31st of January 1916 I have ordered the 7th destroyer of Impavido class in La Spezia Arsenale after receiving offer to build another ship with 10 % discount. Germany has laid down 4th battlecruiser of Erfurt class - 31700 tons
Royal Navy has commissioned battlecruiser Australia of New Zealand class - 27400 tons, 25 knots, 8x15" guns, 12" belt armour February 1916
Personal log - the 7th of February 1916
Finally we agreed with United Kingdom to some sort of cooperation. After several months of talks and help of Naval Secretary we agreed to give United Kingdom our system of torpedo protection and they agreed to build capital ships for use using their excellent triple turrets with 15" or 16" guns built by Vickers in their factory Barrow-in-Furness.
Personal log - the 23th of February 1916 I have pushed quite a lot but I have several designs for new battlecruiser for Forte project.
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Post by kriegsmeister on Oct 27, 2019 16:42:08 GMT -6
Sorry I haven't been very participatory, but here I am. The new position is very fitting for what my original intentions for my term where going to be. What's the current status on aviation research and I'll draft up some fluff soon?
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