REGIA MARINA PRODUCTION SCHEDULE 2001-2002
by
Steve Backer

REGIA MARINA has announced its production schedule for the rest of this year and going into 2002. This schedule departs from the past practice of the company in three significant areas. REGIA MARINA has been widely known for producing finely crafted 1:700 scale models of World War Two Italian Navy (Regia Marina) warships and auxiliaries.

This year REGIA MARINA will produce kits of non-Italian warships. Although most of the kits will be in 1:700, one kit will be 1:350 scale and another will be 1:72 scale. In another departure from past practice, one of the kits will be from World War One and another from the modern era.

1:700 Cacciatorpediniere (Destroyer) Turbine Class from World War II	1:700 Torpediniere (Torpedoboat/ Escort) Ariete Class from WW2

Motonavi (Motor Ship) Poeti Class from World War II in 1:700. The Italian Motonavi were essential in the convoy of supplies and equipment for the Italian Army and Deutsche Afrika Korp (DAK). The war of the convoys in the central Mediterranean was a seesaw affair. At times the British garrison of Malta was isolated and the Italian convoys ran freely to Libya. At other times the Royal Navy was able to relieve and resupply Malta and inflict serious losses upon the Italian convoys. In the end the Royal Navy’s victory in the prolonged Convoy War was a key ingredient in the British 8^th Army’s victory over Rommel at the Battle of El Alamein and the eventual defeat of the Axis powers in Africa.

Cacciamine (Minesweeper/Minehunter) Lerici and Gaeta Classes and Osprey Class of the USN, modern in 1:700. The design of these craft is a joint effort between the Italian Navy and the USN and patterned after the Italian Lerici Class. They are currently in use by the navies of both countries.

Sommergibili (Submarine) Pietro Calvi Class from World War II in 1:350.

 

Corazzate (Battleship) USS North Carolina from World War II in 1:700. Regia Marina may also include optional parts for USS Washington but that is undecided at this time.

 

| Corazzate (Battleship) USS South Dakota from World War II in 1:700.

 

Transatlantico (Trans-Atlantic Passenger Liner) Rex in 1:700. For a lengthy period of time in the 1930s, the Italian Liner Rex held the Blue Riband, which signified the fastest passenger liner steaming the Atlantic. She at last, lost the title to the French Normandie. During World War Two, she lasted until 1944. The British did not want to destroy her but when the Germans started to move her for use as a block ship, she was attacked and sunk by the RAF.

 

M.A.S. 15 (Small Torpedo Boat) The M.A.S. Squadrons of the Italian Navy were undoubtedly the most daring and effective segments of the service in both World Wars. Their crews were also some of the bravest sailors found in any nation’s navy. M.A.S. 15 is the boat that sank the Austro-Hungarian dreadnought Szent Istvan in 1918. She survived and is currently on exhibit in Rome. M.A.S. 15 will be in 1:72 scale.

 

Corsari Tedeschi (German Raiders) Atlantis and Kormoran from World War II in 1:700 scale. Atlantis has received more press but the exploits and above all, the duel to the death between Kormoran and H.M.A.S. Sydney is one of the more heroic and tragic naval stories of World War Two.

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