The September issue of "Storia Militare" has an article on BOLZANO that includes a plan and profile of a design study of 1942 to turn it into an aircraft transport. Essentially, all of the main turrets and the superstructure forward of the aft stack were removed. Two catapults were placed at the extreme bow, the forward uptakes were split into two side by side stacks, and the decks lined on either side with what appear to be BREDA 65s and twin 37mm mounts. Twelve RE 2001 are depicted as the aircraft complement.

Might make an interesting project for "what if" enthusiasts.

Al Ross

Thanks Al.

From The Fleets of World War II by Richard Worth.

"The most likely aerial candidate for sea duty was some version of the Reggiane Re 2001 Falco II fighter. (speed: 337 mph; armament: two 12.7 mm mg with two 20mm cannon or two or two 7.7 mm mg.), which had proved its superiority over the Sea Hurricane, if not more modern opponents. In typical Italian fashion, it had short range (466 miles). A fighter bomber version carried a 1,410-lb bomb, and a torpedo-bomber was in the works (the Re 2001G)"

This would have been a good "what if" Al. She certainly had the speed for a carrier, and her light armor wouldn't have been as much a hinderance.