Collecting & painting 'pre-Dreadnought' warships (Part 3)

During 2025 I friend bought me 2 warship waterline models from the pre-Dreadnought period. At a car boot sale.... Unknown scale, unknown Country of origin but probably European... I liked them very much, I got intrigued by them but couldn't find which warship type they were or from which country. After some months I decided to paint them like British pre-Dreadnoughts in their Victorian colour scheme: black hull, white deck house and ochre yellow funnels (see photo).

Several months later I read on a war game blog some remarks about like wise ships, from 'Minifigs'. A lively discussion erupted between a small number of readers, as there apparently were several companies who had produced likewise models in different scales. On an internet auction I bought some additional models and I decided to paint them as all my white metal models had lost most of their paint. More people had painted them; sometimes in their real world colors, sometimes from a fantasy country (see pictures below from some blogs). Most models of warships are grey, but the green ones are from Austria-Hungary (when they had an Adriatic Fleet, from 1867 to 1918).

Anyhow, I tried to get more information about my waterline models as it was clear that they all were very different. In scale but also in kind of metal. According to my investigation a British company called B.M.C. (Brighton Manufacturing Company or Brighton Model Company) started production of waterline warship models in the early 1900s. In scale 1:1200 (100 ft to 1 inch) and 1:1800 (150 ft. to 1 inch). During the Victorian Age more people had time and money to buy toys and at the same time a Naval Arms race developed between the Great Powers. Not only toy model train sets got popular; waterline warships as well. Also the first 'Jane's Fighting Ships' publication became available in this time ('standard' recognition scale: 1:1200), which was a helpful source for the Jane Navel War Game (from the same author). Companies tried to develop ship models for this game but were also asked by Governments to develop recognition models for the military (to train look-outs onboard ships and pilots). The following early companies emerged.

Bassett-Lowke (UK). their first models were hand-made of wood, with wire masts and guns. Probably scale 1:1800. Advertised as 'most accurate representations to actual ships' they were quite rude compared to today's toy standards. According to Wikipedia, there were at least 2 reasons to change production to white metal. First, these metal models could be made by machines (cheaper & quicker) and secondly: from 1908 onwards the company was not allowed anymore to sell their highly accurate models as this would help a possible enemy (like Germany). The concern of the censors was that the accuracy of these detailed models of Royal Navy ships could give vital information to the enemy. In order to have some representation of the Royal Navy for their war time catalog, Bassett-Lowke replaced their prohibited Royal Navy models by purchasing the less detailed metal ship models of the RN made by B.M.C. These metal B.M.C. models while detailed, had their origins as game models and were therefore less accurate depictions of RN warships. The company stopped trading in the 1960s.

B.M.C. (UK): their production of metal waterline warship models started around 1903 and stopped in the 1920s(?). In scale 1:1200 (100 ft to 1 inch) and 1:1800 (150 ft. to 1 inch). These more than 100 different models were hollow cast (the inside was open), painted and with wire masts. At starboard rear end most models had a specific number, in Roman numerals: B.I HMS Duncan, B.II HMS Swiftsure, B.III HMS King Edward VII, and B.IV HMS Lord Nelson etc.. The ship models could be purchased individually or could be purchased in numbered boxed sets (Bassett-Lowke). They were actually toy-like, although they represented specific ships, and one could distinguish several warship classes and -types.

Boucher (USA): E.H. Boucher Manufacturing Company began making large-scale display models for the US Navy in 1905. From 1917 (USA had entered WW1) production grew as more official customers required recognition models scale 1:1200. 

Crescent (UK): under license they copied (in die cast metal or 'pot metal') the models from B.M.C./ Basset Lowke. From 1920s towards 1980. I believe mostly in scale 1:1800 (painted). Without masts but very crisp hollow casts. They used in the beginning the same model numbering as B.M.C, although in Arabic numerals (B1: HMS Duncan, etc.).

Minifigs (UK): a British firm who produced wargame toys from the 1960s onwards. They made waterline ships as well.

Timpo (UK): They made 1:1800 scale waterline ship models from 1930s onwards.

Dinky: apparently they made waterline ship models next to their large range of cars.

Wiking (Germany): a well known continental European Company. Started in the 1930s, mostly with scale 1:1250 (the metric equivalent of 1:1200). Their last ship catalogue is from 1975 I believe. They are still in business but only as a manufacturer of car models (1:87) for model train enthusiast.

My current collection:

1903 HMS Swiftsure (1:1800; Crescent B2)

Pre-Dreadnought battleship, initially designed for Chili, 11,800 tons, 4x10-inch main armament. Model length: 82 mm. Arabic numeral & crisp open casting points towards Crescent. Repainted from Victorian trim (1st picture of this blog) into period-correct grey. Torpedo nets & booms still visible at model (during WW1 removed).

1904 HMS Lord Nelson (1:1800; Crescent B4)

Pre-Dreadnought battleship Nelson-class, 16,500 tons, 4x12-inch main armament. Model length: 82 mm. Arabic numeral and crisp hollow casting points towards Crescent. Repainted from Victorian trim into period-correct grey. Torpedo nets & booms still visible at model (during WW1 removed).

1906 HMS King Edward VII (1:1800; BMC or Crescent; no nr.)

Pre-Dreadnought battleship King Edward-class, 16,350 tons, 4x12-inch main armament. Model length: 81 mm. No number visible (B.III or B3 expected) but hollow casting and 2 masts (rear is missing) makes this possible B.M.C.? Painted in period-correct grey. Torpedo nets & booms still visible at model (during WW1 removed).

1909 HMS Indefatigable (1:1800; B.M.C. nr. XVI)

Battlecruiser Indefatigable-class, 18,800 tons, 8 x 12-inch guns. Model length: 91 mm. Roman numeral (XVI) points towards B.M.C. Painted in period-correct grey (including blast bags main armament). Torpedo nets & booms still visible at model (during WW1 removed).

1900 HMS Highflyer (1:1800; ? no nr.)

Protected cruiser 2nd class, 5,600 tons, 11 x 6-inch guns. Model length: 80 mm. Hollow casting. No information on manufacturer. Painted in period-correct tropical trim (operated during WW1 in West- and East Indies).

1914 HMS Birmingham (1:1800; ? no nr.)

Light cruiser Chatham-class, 4 funnels, 5,400 tons, 8 x 6-inch guns. Model length: 81 mm. Hollow casting & 2 masts makes this possible B.M.C. No information on manufacturer. Painted in period-correct grey.

1903 B-class destroyer (1:1800; ? no nr.)

30 knot/4 funnels destroyer, 470 tons, 1 x 12 pounder gun, 2 torpedo tubes (18-inch). Model length: 45 mm. Closed hull with 1 mast. Unknown manufacturer. Painted in period correct black.

1915 WW1 Flower class minesweeper (1:1800; ? no nr.)

Minesweeper Acacia or Azalea-class, 1200 tons, 2 x 4-inch guns. Model length: 47 mm. Hollow casting, 1 mast makes this possible B.M.C. Painted in period-correct light grey.

1904 Devonshire-class Cruiser (1:1200; Bassett-Lowke or B.M.C.)

Armoured cruiser Devonshire-class, 11,000 tons, 4 x 7,5-inch main armament. Model length: 116 mm, crisp hollow casting including 2 masts points towards Bassett-Lowke. Removable stern deck house missing. Painted in period-correct grey.

1907 D-class submarine (1:1200;? no nr.)

D-class submarine, 550 tons, 3 torpedo tubes. Model length: 54 mm., closed hull cast. Unknown manufacturer. Painted in period correct black.

1930s K-class submarine (possibly 1:1000: ?)

Possible K-class submarine, 1,900 tons, 8 torpedotubes (18-inch). Model length: 77 mm. Massive hull, periscopes visible. Unknown manufacturer. Painted in period correct black.

   

Battle Report: 1940 French Navy against Italian Navy (GQ3.3 Rules)

Historic background: my Naval Wargame mate Edzard bought himself recently the whole French WW2 fleet (1:3000, second-hand), so it was interesting to test them against the Italian fleet. France always had an Atlantic Fleet and a Mediterranean Fleet, but Italy only had a Mediterranean one (although in WW1 they had a specific Adriatic focus as well - against Austria-Hungary). Anyhow, during the 1922 Washington Fleet Reduction Conference the US and UK delegations forced France and Italy to become, numerically, equal smaller parties to the resulting Naval Disarmament Treaty. Well below Japan in the permitted tonnage of Capital Ships (a ratio of 9 ships to 5). This was seen by the French as incompatible with their European and imperial security obligations. The growing Nationalistic Italians were quite happy with this outcome as they saw the Mediterranean as their own sea. It took France 1 year to convince their parlement to ratify the treaty. In truth, France humiliation was a result of economic exhaustion in the wake of WW 1... 

Despite the intention of Naval limitations and the 1929 economic crash, a Naval Arms race developed between both countries. From the 1920s France developed 'super destroyers' (contre-torpilleurs) to support her planned battleships and to use them as 'scouts' in the Mediterranean Sea (instead of light cruisers). The Italians became very concerned about these and the planned French battleships and tried, initially within the constraints of 'Washington', to modernize their WW1 battleships and build new ones.

Especially when France did build 2 new battleships (Dunkerque class; 26,500 tons with 13-inch guns in 2 quadruple turrets), along the lines of the British Nelson-class battleships. Both French & British classes had their main guns grouped on the forward part of the ship (main reason: to concentrate the required armour to defend those main guns and save weight). The Italian reaction to the French Dunkerque class of 2 battleships became the 35,000 ton Littorio class with 9 x 15-inch guns (up to the max. 'Washington' limits), of which 2 were commissioned in 1940 (Vittorio Veneto and Littorio). The third ship (Roma) was sunk upon

completion in 1943 and the fourth (Impero) never finished. Both countries hadn't signed the 1930 London Naval Treaty and had no intention to participate in the 1935 London Naval talks. Note: both London treaties tried to get rid of super-destroyers and limited normal destroyers to 1,500 tons and 'destroyer leaders' to 1,850 tons (only 16% of total destroyer tonnage was allowed to be destroyer leaders). From 1935 suddenly the German Navy was allowed to grow as well and in the 1930s they had already 3 'Pocket Battleships' (Deutschland-class) far above the 1919 'Versailles' treaty limit of 10,000 tons each, armed with 11-inch guns. The French reaction to these 4 planned powerful Italian battleships (and the German naval developments) were 4 Richelieu-class battleships (within the max. Washington limits, with 2 quadruple turrets of 15-inch). But the first 2 ships (Richelieu and Jean Bart) were not ready before Italy entered WW2....and the other 2 (Clemencau and Gascogne) were never finished. 

Set up both fleets: Given the chosen year of 1940 and the chosen limit of 50 Victory Points per fleet,

Edzard had cunningly painted the most modern French super-destroyers (Mogador-class; 2,900 tons with 8 x 140 mm. guns) and 'normal' destroyers (Le Hardy class torpilleurs d'escadres; 1,800 tons with 6 x 130 mm guns). Unfortunately he couldn't use his Richelieu class battleships, as they were not commissioned in 1940 yet, so instead he had to paint 2 ships of the Dunkerque class. Supported by 2 different heavy 8-inch cruiser types: 1 x Suffren-class and 1 x 'Algerie'. The only 'intel' I had beforehand were his painted ship types; no numbers & no composition of the French fleet... But I realized he was not allowed to use the Richelieu-class. Due to several reasons I was short in preparation time but had to decide which Italian ship types I wanted to use. There was no time left to buy or paint new ships. My collection of 1940 Italian warships scale 1:3000 did hold several classes of battleships, several classes of heavy cruisers and several classes of destroyers and torpedo boats. Unfortunately I didn't have light cruisers before 1940, which could be a good match against the French super-destroyers. My 2 Capitani Romani class 3,700 ton light cruisers were not commissioned before 1942 and my 2 Etna class 1943 Airdefence light cruisers were not even painted yet... To compensate for my weaker Italian destroyers & torpedo boats, I maximized on at least 1 modern battleship of the Littorio class (9 x 15-inch guns; good armour). If I had chosen both of them (Vittorio Veneto & Littorio), I needed 42 victory points, which would limit me too much to keep those very capable French torpedo-equipped cruisers, super-destroyers and normal destroyers away from my battleships. You need cruisers (or super destroyers) to keep them at bay. So I settled for an older battleship (the modernized WW1 Andrea Doria with 12.6-inch guns), supported by a 8-inch cruiser of the Zara-class and Bolzano, an improved Trento-class 8-inch cruiser. As I expected a large contingent of French ships, I selected 1

Soldati-class destroyer (1,675 tons with 5 x 120 mm guns), supported by 2 torpedo boats of the Spica-class (640 tons -outside the London 1930 Treaty! with 3 x 100 mm guns). Intended tactic: the Italian battleships should keep the French at long range (defensive) and the destroyer/torpedo boats would disrupt the expected French torpedo-attack. However, no plan survives first contact with the enemy...

Set up of the game: 1:3000 scale miniatures; no aircraft, no submarines, no radar. 4 x 6 ft sea mat. General Quarters 3.3 Rules. France started in the SE corner, Italy in the opposite NW corner. Northerly wind (5 Bft), visibility: 24,000 yds.

The French fleet (right photo) started sailing in 4 divisions: Div 1: 2 battleships Dunkerque class in line abreast. Div. 2: super-destroyers Mogador & Volta in line astern. Div. 3: 3 destroyers, Le Hardi, Epee & Fleuret in line astern. Div 4: both heavy cruisers in line astern (I didn't read the intelligence-brief on them beforehand. Algerie was much better armoured than the older Suffren-class). 

The Italian fleet (photo below) was sailing in 2 divisions: Div 1: both battleships and both cruisers. Div 2: 1 destroyer (Carabinieri) and 2 torpedo boats (Spica & Lupo) in line abreast, in front of Div. 1. Italian warships are recognizable by their red-white diagonal stripes on their deck (to prevent accidental bombing by the Italian Airforce!).

Turn 1: The Italian Div. 1 sailed with 20 kts. course: 150 towards the enemy. Div. 2 accelerated to 30 kts. The French fleet deployed smoke to cover a large part of their composition. Only both battleships (French Div. 1) were outside the smoke.

Turn 2: Both fleets closed each other with a relative speed > 40-50 kts. The Italian Div. 2 was visible for both French battleships. French Mogador opened fire with her 140 mm guns at Carabinieri but missed at 21 kyds. Torpedo boat Lupo however was hit by a 13-inch shell (weight: 525 kg.) fired by one of the French battleships. Leading to extensive damage to her armament. 

Turn 3: the Italian torpedo Div. accelerated to 32 kts. in order to decrease the distance. The Italian ships seemed to accelerated to do the same. The Italian battleships had a clear view on the French battleships and engaged them with their forward 15-inch batteries at around 24 kyds. Only Vittorio Veneto was able to hit Dunkerque,

resulting in visible fire. Both Italian battleships used their second DCT and aft 15-inch turret to engage visible French smaller units but missed. The French cruiser Algerie did hit the small torpedo boat Spica with a 8-inch shell (weight: 127 kg.) with devastating effect (3 damage points). The crew of Spica failed the morale test and tried to withdrew from te scene with a max. speed of 14 kts. After this exchange the Italian Admiral was surprised that the French fleet exposed their vulnerable battleships (like bait?) but did hide their very potent super destroyers, destroyers and decent cruisers behind a smokescreen..? The French Admiral was also puzzled by the Italian fleet composition: he had expected more Italian light cruisers (to fight his contre-torpilleurs of the Mogador class) but he had now a brand new (and heavily armoured) 15-inch battleship as opponent.

Turn 4: both fleets were closing in on each other. The Italians had realized from their tactical plots that the French battleships sailed with only 15 kts. and the rest of the French divisions, covered by the smoke screen laid by Volta, made some pincer movement in order to attack the Italian fleet with torpedo's from the East? The Italian battleships and cruiser were unfortunately not very successful this turn with their artillery. Strasbourg did hit Andrea Doria at 21 kyds, but her armour was not penetrated. The super destroyer Volta fired her 140 mm guns at the small (600 tons) Lupo and hit her twice.

Turn 5: the French crew of the Dunkerque managed to extinguish the considerate fire around her funnels. Both French battleships kept pointing their bow towards the incoming Italian battleships. By

doing so, they kept all of their main guns (16 in total) on target. The Italian Admiral ordered a torpedo attack on the French destroyers and cruisers in the east. However, his staff torpedo officer explained him that both Spica torpedo boats only had 45 cm. torpedoes with a very limited range of 3,300-4,000 yds... So the sole destroyer Carabinieri launched 6 torpedoes at long range (max: 8,700 yds) in Easterly direction, although most of the French ships were hidden behind the refreshed smoke screen. During the gunnery phase the Italians had big problems to hit anything. The shots fired towards the Dunkerque class battleships missed at 18 kyds and both French super destroyers were also difficult to hit as they executed evasive manoeuvres. Dunkerque returned fire towards the Vittorio Veneto but her modern armour was to strong to be penetrated by the 13-inch shells... Dunkerque used her 130 mm. secondary armament against the damaged Lupo and hit her. Strasbourg returned fire on Andrea Doria but her shells couldn't penetrate her armour... Now the French Admiral realized he had quite a problem to get rid of these Italian fast battleships... Anyhow Strasbourg placed a hit on nearby destroyer Carabinieri. A fire broke out.

Turn 6: During the damage control phase the crew of Lupo passed their morale test (despite their expanded damage) and the much larger crew of Carabinieri managed to extinguish the fire. Both Lupo and Carabiniieri (with the white flag) turned 90 degrees portside, to close the distance towards the French threat of a torpedo attack. Now both French super destroyers generated smoke. The 6 Italian 21-inch torpedoes were running (35 kts.) towards the end of the French formation, but didn't cross (yet)... 

Vitttorio Veneto fired a broadside (including port secondary guns) at 15 kyds towards the forward French super destroyer, resulting in 7 damage points for Mogador. Although she had 9 hull boxes and 2 separate DCT's (Fire Control Equipment) like a light cruiser, the inflicted damage was substantial. She lost 1 DCT; her bulkhead was shattered, some turrets out of action, her speed tumbled, fire broke out, etc. She moved out of the line. Unfortunately, Andrea Doria missed Strasbourg at 12 kyds (!). Bolzano fired at Dunkerque at 15 kyds and hit her with a 8-inch shell (weight: 110 kg.); without penetrating. Suddenly the Italian staff artillery officer remembered that Strasbourg was a little better armoured than her older sister ship. New artillery orders: Italian cruisers couldn't penetrate French battleships; Andrea Doria would concentrate on Dunkerque. Although the ranges were quite close, some ships had problems to hit big targets. Strasbourg 13-inch guns couldn't hit Vittorio Veneto at 15 kyds, but she did hit damaged (and without torpedoes) Caribinieri at 9,000 yds with her secondary guns (4 damage points; Caribinieri lost her central 120 mm. gun, a nearby torpedo mount and some hull boxes). Dunkerque missed Andrea Doria at 12 kyds. but her secondary armament did hit damaged Lupo again (3 additional damage points. Italian Div. 2 was now out of speed, out of torpedoes and only 50% of the guns operational...). Mogador used 1 of her remaining 140 mm. turrets against Zara, but the 40 kg shell didn't penetrate her armour but started a fire on deck. Retreating torpedo boat Spica was fired upon by 8-inch fire (weight: 127 kg.) from Algerie and was sunk! The Italian Div. 2 was shot to pieces by the French but especially the Italian battleships looked invulnerable.

Turn 7: During the damage control phase the crew of Zara managed to extinguish the raging fire. The fire had melted their floatplane. The crippled torpedo boat Lupo failed her morale test and tried to crawl back home. However she now was surrounded by French combatants, which could clearly see her as the French smokescreen blew away. The 6 Italian torpedoes had reached the end of their run and, without hitting something, sank to the bottom. The French Div. 2 (minus the Mogador) & Div. 3 had made a very large turn around the Italian Div.1 and had to steer back to get into torpedo range. Geometrically this was not a good position as most of the Italian ships at this point could still do approx. 30 kts (away from the French) and the French torpedoes had a speed of 39 kts. and should be fired within 10,000 yds. But with this geometry they had to be fired at a much closer distance! Andrea Doria fired at 9,000 yds a 12.6-inch broadside at Dunkerque, penetrating 1 of her forward turrets. Vittorio Veneto missed with her broadside Mogador at 9,000 yds! and her secondary 15 cm. guns couldn't penetrate Strasbourg. Bolzano fired a 8-inch salvo on Algerie and did hit her twice. Strasbourg returned 13-inch fire at Andrea Doria at 9,000 yds but didn't penetrate! Dunkerque fired at Vittorio Veneto and placed 2 hits, only 1 penetrating 540 kg shell (1/2 hull box). Dunkerque secondary armament did hit the nearby Carabinieri twice (2 additional hull boxes). Algerie did hit Zara at 15 kyds with a 8-inch salvo (2 damage points; aft 8-inch turret out of action) and Suffren did hit Bolzano at 18 kyds, resulting in a broken bulkhead and some associated flooding. The Italian cruisers and battleships had to slow down to 27 kts. but were still desperate to sink both French battleships. The retreating torpedo boat Lupo and the heavy damaged Carabinieri were both down to half their max. speed...

Turn 8: Bolzano's bulkhead was quickly repaired and therefore her speed was only limited to 30 kts. The Italian battleships maneuvered to keep a broadside towards the French battleships and slowed down to 20 kts. A classic 'crossing the T' situation developed for the Italians. The very capable (and operational) French Div. 2 and 3 tried to get closer for a torpedo attack but seemed a bit outmaneuvered. Vittorio Veneto engaged with her 15-inch guns the better armoured Strasbourg (3 penetrating hits) and Andrea Doria engaged with her 12.6 inch guns Dunkerque (2 penetrating hits). Both French battleships had each only 1 quadruple turret left... Dunkerque was able to return fire towards Andrea Doria (taking out her aft twin 12.6-inch turret). Bolzano was hit by the secondary guns of both Dunkerque and Strasbourg, resulting in some light damage. The retreating super destroyer Mogador fired at the crippled & retreating Lupo at 6,000 yds and sunk her. The French destroyer Fleuret fired a 130 mm. salvo at the damaged Carabinieri. The resulting damage (4 damage points) limited the speed of Carabinieri to 5 kts. The Italian Div. 2 had been destroyed... The Italian battleships however still tried to sink the French ones.

Turn 9: The remaining Italian combatants kept on sailing a southern course, away from the French torpedo threat, but continued engaging both French damaged battleships. Unfortunately, Vittorio Veneto (again!) did not hit Strasbourg at this close range. Andrea Doria did hit the more damaged Dunkerque, but only resulting in some light damage!? Bolzano fired with her remaining 3 main turrets at medium range at Suffren, resulting in 1 engineering hit. Strasbourg returned fire with her remaining quadruple 13-inch turret at Andrea Doria at 6,000 yds. and took out her other twin 12.6-inch turret, resulting into a fire. The French (armoured) cruiser Algerie managed to hit Zara with a 8-inch salvo, resulting in a devastating hit in the engine room, with the result that Zara was 'Dead in the water' (DIW). Carabinieri was sunk by French destroyers...

Turn 10: during the damage control phase the crew of Andrea Doria were able to extinguish the large fire. However, due to the severe engineering hit of Zara most of her fire fighting pumps couldn't be used, so she remained on fire and DIW... The Italian Admiral decided he has lost this battle and he did send his 2 battleships, protected by Bolzano (with her 3 remaining main gun turrets) home. Given the presence of 4 French fast destroyers (still with their torpedoes), Zara (DIW) was a sitting duck.... Anyhow, a clear victory for France, although both French battleships were susceptable to additional damage from Italian guns while the Italians sailed away from them... But the French destroyers could also try to chase the Italian battleships, as 3 of them had a speed dominance of approx. 8 kts.

Closing remarks:

1. The rule & data set of GQ3.3 was quite accurate with regards of the French & Italian WW2 fleet; even the individual differences between Strasbourg and Dunkerque or between the different Italian and French so called Treaty Cruisers were right. The fact that we continued the fight while multiple (Italian) ships were sunk and capital ships from both sides were severely damaged, is probably not very realistic... Most navies want to preserve their battleships after some serious damage, so they can repair them and use them in a following battle. But... we played a game and wanted results the same day!

2. Super destroyers are awesome. In the real world, but also because of the GQ3.3 rules. Although the Mogador class were 2,900 tons, had 9 watertight compartments, 3 Victory points, real (heavy) gun turrets and 2 (big) DCT, they enjoyed GQ3.3 rule protection as 'destroyers' (less hit probability by 8-inch guns). Anyhow, they ripped apart the lesser armed Italian ships.

3. According to historic documentation, as a rule of thumb, the 10,000 ton Treaty cruisers with 8-inch guns couldn't be properly protected (armoured) from enemy 8-inch fire. Within this game 3 examples were present: Algerie did hit Zara at 15 kyds with a 8-inch salvo (penetrated 1 of her turrets) & Suffren did hit Bolzano at 18 kyds, resulting in a broken bulkhead and some associated flooding (both turn 7). Zara was (again) penetrated by a 8-inch salvo from Algerie (turn 9).

4. Italian - French naval arms race. 1940 is just 1 moment in the Naval Arms race. In a different moment (1942/43?), both French Richelieu-class battleships should have been operational (France answer to Littorio-class), but Italy then had possibly also her third Littorio-class battleship operational (Roma) and some additional light cruisers to combat French super destroyers...  Anyhow, I fully appreciate the danger Churchill saw when those modern French units could fall in German hands in 1940 (and why the British fleet tried to sink them at Mers-el-Kebir / French Algeria in July 1940 Operation Catapult). And the same with the Germans: they feared the Italian Navy (to a certain extent) when Italy changed sides in September 1943 and put quite some energy in the destruction of battleship Roma (devastating air attack by 6 Do-217 bombers with Fritz-X radio controlled glide bombs), capture of unfinished battleship Impero, unfinished aircraft carrier Aquila and some cruisers in September 1943 in order to prevent Allied use of those Italian capable combatants.

5. Did I use my 50 points for the 1940 Italian fleet wisely? The 2 Spica-class torpedo boats were useless in this kind of battle! Better would be a second Soldati-class destroyer, although they were not a match against Le Hardi-class (or super destroyers for that matter). Italian battleships were sturdy. The game was 7 Italian against 9 French ships; if I had chosen 2 Soldati-class DD's it was 6 vs 9... quite difficult.

Naval Wargames weekend at Fleet Air Arm Museum RNAS Yeovilton

The Naval Wargames Society organizes on a yearly basis the Naval Wargames Weekend. As a rather new Naval Wargamer I visited this weekend in 2023; I participated in the weekend of 2025 (with a 1986 Cold War Naval Wargame scenario) and I visited them again this year. This BLOG-input describes some observations I made during my 2026 visit.

The venue was conducted in a rather large (separate) function room of the museum but not in between the aircraft and ship models of the museum itself. In the function room there was place for at least 10 very large gaming tables. I visited at Saturday and Sunday morning. As a Naval Wargamer myself I am interested in Cold War, WW2, WW1 and pre-Dreadnoughts. During the weekend there were naval war games with regard to early sailing ships (1500s), late sailing ships (1800s), pre-Dreadnoughts (1880-1906), WW1, WW2 and Cold War. In scale sizes from 1:200 down to 1:6,000.

Rule Systems. I was very much surprised that I met so many players who had developed their own Naval Rules. Because the commercial available Rule Systems didn't fit their needs, their imagination or their models. So I met a group (the 'Luton Lancers') who had adapted the 'Nimitz' WW2 Rule system to use it for their WW1 naval game/scenario. That is quite a job: you possibly have to adapt some specific rules but I am sure you have to design/calculate all the required ship data cards (of this different ships from a different era) yourself!

Another person had collected 1:600 Airfix models of British warships (2 Frigate types and a LPD) and had developed an aircraft focused Rule System around it, so he could game 1979 Iranian air attacks on British warships in the Persian Gulf, defended by UK Phantom fighters.

Professor David Manley showed us his newest ideas/version of a game in which the crew of a warship can game damage control onboard: what is the damage?, where is the damage? Which limited resources can I use to fight the damage? What will happen (knock-on effects...) when we are not able to rectify the disaster quickly? Etc. From some discussions during the weekend I did understand that Artificial Intelligence is already looking around the corner as well...

And there was a guy who showed a rule system without any 'game turns'. So both (or all) players had not to wait for each other, but after they had moved a contingent of their troops, they turned a small sand timing glass (which belonged to that contingent) and that military force was not allowed to move for 2 minutes (and could be shot at, etc.). Interesting thought! 

And a guy (Dave) who had developed a method to game a modern fight of a UK surface Taskgroup against a nuclear USSR submarine. The submarine plotted a certain (secret) pre-planned course on a piece of paper (to patrol an area) and the surface Taskgroup (and her ASW hero's) had full freedom to sail around (on a numbered hex sea mat), trying to find it. Without the knowledge what the position and intended movement (PIM) was of the sub. With fixed sonar- and torpedo-ranges their paths could cross (or not).

You can get new ideas. For instance: when you want to game scale 1:200 WW2 US aircraft carrier (3D printed!) & Airwing against a Japanese opponent you use 3 large tables, meters away from

each other. Table 1: US carrier, Table 2: blue sky with clouds, table 3: Japanese carrier. Table 1 and 3 can launch their aircraft, but the ship on these tables can also game air defense (when attacked on their own table). And table 2 (the sky) can be used to game fights between attackers and CAP-aircraft. I didn't follow the game in detail, but the airwings could fly from table 1, via 2 to 3 and vice versa. However, this will not fit my Naval War Game Room... 

The Naval Wargame which used 1:300 scale WW2 coastal ships (or was it 1:350?) had an interesting method of displaying how fast a warship was sailing: the ship models didn't use a base, but underneath the model a rectangular piece of plastic was visible, with a painted wake. On this piece 3 marks were visible: 'fast', 'normal' and 'slow'. And the amount of wake that was visible, made clear which speed it used. It was probably part of the Cruel Seas Rule System?

Another idea, to randomize the showing up of a reserve force/unit. First you throw a D20 die; you remember that number result. And every next turn you throw a D6, and distract the D6 result from the number you had thrown with the D20. Until you get to zero. Clever.

You are exposed to new material. During the weekend the most local Naval Wargamers (from Somerset I believe) played 2 different WW1 games but both with miniatures scale 1:6000. I had never seen these in the flesh (only on pictures). They are tiny!

And the guys from RAF Cranwell Table Top Gaming Club (Andy & David) showed me their newest 3D-printed islands, terrain, naval forts and city's (for their 1:2400 Naval Wargame recording 1898 US vs Spain Imperial War). And we had interesting discussions about those 1:2400 miniatures and what the best Rules were for modern Naval Wargaming...

Anyhow, I enjoyed myself very much during this weekend. Thank you Simon for organizing this and thank you participants for showing up and explaining me your wonderful Naval Warfare Games. Hopefully I can attend a next version in the future.  

Battle report: 1944 escape of the KMS 'Graf Zeppelin' (Rules: GQ 3.3)

After several Pacific scenario's this year, we decided to conduct an European WW2 (fictional) scenario and make use of my (what if?) 1:3000 model of KMS Graf Zeppelin (NAZI Germany solely aircraft carrier, which never sailed) and her proposed Airwing of Messerschmidt Bf-109T fighters and Junkers Ju-87C dive-bombers. 

So I came forward with scenario: it is 1944 and brand-new KMS Graf Zeppelin is at sea (German Bight) to train her new aircraft. She is equipped with a small number of Bf-109T fighters and Ju-87C Stuka dive bombers to conduct maritime bombing trials, etc. As she is not fully operational yet and due to lack of aircraft & trained pilots the aircraft carrier has a limited number of aircraft onboard. Insufficient numbers to keep a permanent CAP (Combat Air Patrol) of Bf-109 overhead. KMS Graf Zeppelin is escorted by light cruiser KMS Leipzig and the 4th Zerstörer Flotilla, consisting of Z4, Z6 and Z24. The German Taskgroup is supported by 1 FW-200 Condor long range patrol aircraft (1941; to warn against a possible surprise attack against Germany's only aircraft carrier).
At the same time HMS Norfolk, a British cruiser of the County-class, is further Northwest at sea, together with the 2nd destroyer division, consisting of 4 modern Tribal-class destroyers. They have to maintain the blockade of NAZI Germany. A 1938 Short Sunderland flying boat is assigned (in direct support) to the British Taskgroup, to scout in front of the Taskgroup in order to find enemy ships and keep German U-boats dived (where they have less speed to intercept the British ships). 

Background to the ships & aircraft. 

The idea for a German aircraft carrier started in 1934, 1 year after Hitler took power. After WW1 Germany was very limited in what it was allowed to have as a navy and an aircraft carrier was certainly not part of that. Anyhow, NAZI Germany started planning. Surprisingly, the plans kept the ship within the limits of the Navy Armament Limitation Treaties of that period between Britain, USA, France, Italy and Japan (of which Germany was no part to).

Her guns would not be bigger than 15 cm. (1922 Washington Treaty & 1930 London Treaty). In 1935 Great Britain allowed NAZI Germany to have 35% of the British Fleet (in displacement tonnage). That gave the German Navy formally the opportunity to build an aircraft carrier of approx. 24,000 ton. The Germans paid a visit to IJN Akagi in 1936 to study Japanese aircraft carriers. The building of Graf Zeppelin started in Kiel in December 1936. The ship would be propelled by 4 steam turbines and be equipped with 16 x 15 cm. guns, 10 x 10,5 cm. AA-guns  and approx. 40 aircraft (fighters & bombers). In December 1938 the ship was launched. Since 1937 the German designers tried to develop (or choose) which aircraft they needed. They decided to have a maritime version of Bf-109 as fighter and a maritime version of Ju-87 as dive bomber. Bf-109's were armed with 2 x 20mm. canons and have a ACE (Air Combat Efficiency) of 3. Ju-87 dive-bombers could carry 1 medium bomb (500 kg.). Around 1940 some aircraft were build but then the building proces stopped for ship & aircraft due to war developments. Up to 1944 Hitler dragged his feet to allow finalization of the project. The ship was for 85% complete and was bombed in port by the RAF in 1942. During the war it was transferred to the Baltic to keep away from the RAF and was scuttled by own personnel in March 1945. KMS Leipzig was a German light cruiser; a follow-on to the 3 'K'-class light cruisers (Königsberg, Karlsruhe and Köln). She was commissioned in 1931. Under the 1919 Versailles Peace Treaty Germany was not permitted to have more than 6 cruisers (additional limits: <6,000 ton; 15 cm. guns or less). Displacement: 8,000 ton. Main armament: 3 triple turrets with 15 cm. guns (1 turret forward; 2 turrets aft). The German destroyers (Zerstörer) Z4 and Z6 are type 1934 destroyers. The Z24 a type 1936A destroyer. Z4 & Z6 were equipped with 5 single 5-inch guns (elevation limit: 30 degrees, which made them inadequate when dealing with dive-bombers -reflected in the GQ3.3 Rules) and 8 torpedo tubes (TT). Z24 was equipped with 15 cm. guns: 1 twin turret forward and 3 single guns at the rear. Including 8 TT. According to several books, replacing the bow gun with a twin turret led to a deterioration in seaworthiness. This is reflected in the GQ3.3 Kriegsmarine Gunfire Table (special entry for 5.9-inch Double). 

HMS Norfolk was part of the last batch of the County-class. 1st batch: 7 units Kent-class; 2nd batch: 4 units London-class and last batch: 2 units Norfolk-class. They were build within the limits of the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty (cruisers < 10,000 tons displacement & 8-inch guns or less) and were recognized by their 3 funnels and high freeboard. They were designed for world wide escort & scout duties and were therefor less armored than you would expect for a heavy cruiser. GQ3.3 rates them as CL (light cruiser). HMS Norfolk was commissioned in 1930 and participated in the hunt for the German raider Cormorant (1940), the hunt for the KMS Bismarck (1941), several Arctic Convoys, Allied landings in North Africa (1942) and the Battle of the North Cape (1943). During this game she carries 1 Swordfish floatplane reconnaissance aircraft (1936). The 4 Tribal-class fleet destroyers were HMS Tartar, HMS Mohawk, HMS Nubian and HMS Sikh. During the 1920's and 1930's there was a tendency on the part of the major powers to build very large destroyers. The Japanese started the trend and Britain followed with a gun-focussed design of 1,900 tons: the 16 Tribals carried each 8 x 4.7-inch guns in 4 twin turrets (25 ton each!) but sacrificed torpedo armament by having only 1 quadruple 21-inch Torpedo launcher. These 4.7-inch guns had an elevation limit of 40 degrees, which made them inadequate when dealing with dive-bombers (taken care of in the GQ3.3 Rules). The ships were all launched in 1937 and were the last class of British WW2 destroyers with 2 funnels.

Set up of the game

All ship models from NAVWAR (1:3000); most air models from Tumbling Dice (1:600). Ground scale: 1 cm = 200yds. We used dice to determine the weather: Windforce 3 (10 kts) from the South. Visibility: 28,000 yds. One layer of clouds; cloud base: 6,000 yds. Cloud density: 40%. Very good flying weather! The Germans used 2 divisions: the carrier, escorted by the light cruiser in Div 1 (line abreast, course 340, speed 15) and 3 destroyers in Div 2 (same).  The British were divided in Div 1 (HMS Norfolk) and Div 2 (4 x Tribal-class). At start of play both countries had deployed a long range patrol aircraft at approx. 10,000 yds away from the opposing side. So both sides had already detected each other. The Germans are in the South Eastern corner of the 4 x 6 ft sea mat; the British in the North.

Turn 1

Both patrol aircraft had radioed position (and composition) of the opposing forces. The German destroyers slowed down to 10 kts, but the carrier Div. accelerated to 20 kts and turned port into the wind for flying course (photo below). KMS Zeppelin prepared 2 Bf-109 to be launched to scare away the British patrol aircraft. The British Div's. accelerated as well, to close the distance to the visible German destroyers and reported position of the German carrier. HMS Norfolk was unable to engage any of the German destroyers (outside 30,000 yds.).

Turn 2

The German carrier Div. was now on course 190 speed 25 and had sufficient wind over deck to launch both aircraft. They were launched in Air Phase 2 of this turn, with Short Sunderland as target. German destroyers turned to port as well, accelerating towards 20 kts. The German destroyers were ordered to shield the main force from the British enemy. The only carrier of Germany was trying to run away! HMS Norfolk opened fire (forward 8-inch guns) at Z6 but missed at 30,000 yds.

Turn 3

The German main force proceeded with 30 kts at course 190; the German destroyers were positioned between the carrier and the following British ships and followed at 30 kts. course 190. In the mean time the vulnerable Short Sunderland (flight level 3,000 yds) turned towards her own fleet units to seek protection. Both German Bf-109's in hot pursuit. However they had to climb towards the current (and increasing) flight level of the Sunderland and lost a lot of their max. airspeed. At the end of this Game turn the Bf-109's flew at flight level 4,000 yds but hadn't reached the Sunderland. All British ships were closing in at 32 kts. HMS Norfolk opened fire (forward 8-inch guns) at KMS Zeppelin but missed at 30,000 yds.

Turn 4

All British ships were trying to diminish the gunnery distance but the geometry and their small speed advantage didn't help much...So far they could only engage the Germans with their forward guns. The German Admiral onboard KMS Zeppelin was aware of the British danger and proceeded his escape. 4 Ju-87 dive-bombers were readied to engage the incoming danger. Both Bf-109's were still trying to catch up with the fleeing Sunderland but came very close to the British ships. At long range those ships fired at the German fighters but missed. HMS Norfolk catapulted her Swordfish floatplane into the wind to keep eyes on target. HMS Norfolk missed KMS Zeppelin at 24,000 yds. with her 8-inch guns. Z24 tried to hit HMS Tartar but was unsuccessfull at 23,000 yds (hardly surprising). KMS Leipzig was just outside range...

Turn 5

The Germans had launched at the last Air Phase of turn 4 and the first Air Phase of this turn 4 Ju-87's in total. Target: HMS Norfolk as she kept on firing at KMS Zeppelin.. The attack package climbed every Air Phase and proceeded towards the reported position (by FW-200 Condor) of HMS Norfolk. Both Bf-109 fighters turned away from the British ships and joined/protected the German Air Strike package. The closing British warships kept on firing: a volley of 8-inch fire from HMS Norfolk did hit KMS Leipzig at 24,000 yds, resulting in a speed limit of 23 kts. However HMS Sikh was unable to hit Z6 at 18,000 yds. The returning fire by Z24, KMS Leipzig and KMS Zeppelin (her 15 cm. guns!) on British ships all missed at distances > 21,000 yds.

Turn 6

The crew of KMS Leipzig was very professional in repairing the engineering hit and at the end of this turn KMS Leipzig was doing 28 kts again and remained in the vicinity of the carrier. During Air Phase 2 all Ju-87's reached flight level 4,000 yds (minimum level for dive-bombing) and during Air Phase 3 closed in on HMS Norfolk from the east. The continuing exchange of fire, although the diminishing distance, gave no results. All engagements at ranges between 18,000 and 21,000 yds resulted in 'miss'.

Turn 7

While the British crept closer towards the Germans (relative distance speaking of course), the German air attack occurred: 4 Ju-87 attacked HMS Norfolk. Norfolk shot 1 Ju-87 but 1 x 500 kg. bomb had a near miss on her. During the Air fight both Bf-109 tried to hit the Sunderland but failed during 1 passing run. Both Bf-109's also did a strafing run towards the AA-guns of HMS Norfolk (to attract attention). The damage of the near miss slowed down HMS Norfolk from 32 to 29 kts. During the air attack both British patrol aircraft flew slightly to the west. During the gunnery between both sides no hits were recorded at distances of 18,000 yds. The German main force (Leipzig & Zeppelin) was sailing again at 30 kts.

Turn 8 (photo above)

The German air attack on Norfolk didn't seem to be very successful, so the 3 German destroyers were ordered to close the distance (keeping their broadside towards the enemy) and make best use of their guns to keep the closing enemy at bay. Z4, Z6 and Z24 turned to course 280 speed 30. During the Air Phases both British aircraft (Sunderland & Swordfish) closed the German fleet (as they were ordered for spotting purposes to improve hitting probabilities). German AA by the 3 destroyers was not very succesfull but the last 2 Bf-109's were launched from the carrier. All German attack aircraft turned north and, when outside British AA-range, made a clockwise turn towards KMS Zeppelin. Over the last turns the fighting range diminished steadily and we now saw the results: Z6 placed on HMS Sikh one 5-inch hit; Z4 placed one 5-inch hit on HMS Mohawk, together with one 15 cm. hit from KMS Zeppelin. KMS Leipzig placed one 15 cm. hit on HMS Tartar. However the British return fire was more devastating: HMS Norfolk 8-inch hit damaged the bulkhead of KMS Zeppelin! HMS Nubian did hit KMS Leipzig, HMS Mohawk placed 3 hits (with rapid 4.7-inch fire) on Z4 and Z6 was also hit twice by nearby HMS Sikh! The returning German air formation vectored in on (damaged!) KMS Zeppelin. Both Bf-109 fighters however vectored in on the Sunderland (to kill the spotter adjusted British gunfire).

The German damage was far more extensive than the British: KMS Zeppelin had a damaged bulkhead (resulting in a speedlimit of 30 kts and flooding); KMS Leipzig lost her middle 15 cm. triple turret due to a direct 4.7-inch hit; Z4 lost 2 of her rear guns, had a speed limit of 34 kts and a serious fire; Z6 lost one of her TT-mounts, a searchlight and had also a speellimit of 34 kts. So the German destroyers couldn't accelerate anymore above 30 kts and had limited armament damage. HMS Tartar lost her only torpedo mount and a searchlight. HMS Mohawk lost one of her rear twin turrets and HMS Sikh lost her only rear twin turret.

Turn 9

The returning Bf-109's destroyed the Sunderland but the other pair of Bf-109's were unable to destroy the incoming Swordfish as they had an ammunition malfunction. So the British still had eyes on target! HMS Norfolk changed course to be able to use all her 8-inch guns. Her speed was now 1 knot lower than KMS Zeppelin so she needed a catastrophic hit on the carrier fast. The British destroyers turned to the south west in order to use broadside as well. However during the ongoing gunnery duel HMS Norfolk was unable to place any additional hits on KMS Zeppelin at 21,000 yds. Of all the British ships only HMS Sikh placed with her 2 remaining forward twin turrets one 4.7-inch hit on (substantial damaged) Z4. The German return fire was slightly better: (lightly damaged) Z6 used rapid 5-inch fire at 12,000 yds against HMS Sikh, resulting in one 5-inch hit. Z4 placed with her remaining three 5-inch guns 2 hits on (slightly damaged) HMS Mohawk and KMS Leipzig placed with her forward and remaining aft 15 cm. triple

turrets three 15 cm. hits on HMS Nubian at 15,000 yds. KMS Zeppelin used 15 cm and 10,5 cm. AA-guns against (lightly damaged) HMS Tartar at 18,000 yds but was unable to hit her...  After more than 5 hours of Naval Wargame play we had to stop. 

    The final damage results (partly determined afterwards): KMS Graf Zeppelin had received 1 dangerous 8-inch hit on her bulkhead. The crew was fighting the flooding and if they were not quickly successful, this would trigger further flooding & speed loss (giving the British the opportunity to sink her). She needed to return to port urgently! But would still be able to land her aircraft onboard. KMS Leipzig remained a reasonable fighting force with 2/3 of her 15 cm. armament available. Z24 was fully operational with her five 15 cm. guns and 8 TT. Z4 was in trouble as she had so far not been able to put out the raging fire onboard; had lost 2 hull boxes (of 8) and a speed limit of 30 kts. 

With some luck HMS Norfolk could keep the German main force within range of her 8-inch guns, assuming KMS Zeppelin wouldn't been able to fight the flooding. HMS Sikh had lost a forward twin gun turret and had 1 turret remaining. HMS Mohawk (25% turrets lost, speed limit 32 kts) Additional damage: lost her TT, searchlight and an additional hullbox, resulting in a limit of 28 kts. HMS Nubian got hit in her engine room and hullbox, resulting in a speed limit of 16 kts. HMS Tartar TT-mount was destroyed. So if the Germans were able to maintain 30 kts, only HMS Tartar and HMS Sikh would be able to chase them...with 1 quadruple TT and 4 twin 4.7-inch turrets (in total) operational. Against multiple German 15 cm. guns (on 3 units) and plenty TT's. I assume the British Taskgroup commander would like to keep on firing for a while, but will quickly retreat. I will call this a tactical 'draw' (but possibly a British strategic 'win', as this showed the Germans that a single, lightly protected carrier (with a limited Air Wing) is very vulnerable to surface fire (and submarine). Who thinks that Hitler would allow such a sailing again?).

Verdict

It was fun to conduct a 'what, if?' scenario with a plausible German aircraft carrier. If you look at the actual development and building times of the ship (and aircraft) the German Navy did a very good job. Although the hangar and flight deck lacked armour, her armament (15 cm. against surface threats and capable AA-guns) was ok. However there was insufficient time to develop, teach & learn (air)tactics. In this Naval Wargame the available aircraft could only react to a sudden threat. In which year would the carrier be able to withstand such a surprise attack by the British? Look what France was able to do with her only carrier (Bearn) in WW2... close to nothing. 

Most of the ships in this Naval Wargame were (technical) limited by Naval Armament Treaties of that time period (number of ships, limited displacement, limited armament, etc.). We don't have those anymore since WW2 (except for the deployment of nuclear weapons some time?). Interesting thought in the 21st Century with a running Naval Arms Race between China, the USA and some neighbours...

A recurring observation of mine: during the naval war between Russia & Japan (1904-'05), WW1 and WW2 I see a lot of quite new participating ships in those wars. As if nations saw the war coming...(and prepared for it). Look at the average age of current NATO, US and Russian warships. Mostly older than 20-30 years! The exception is China...