Regia Marina Italian Heavy Cruiser 'Pola'

Well here is my next project The Italian Heavy Cruiser 'Pola' in 1/350 scale




Here is a brief history
The Regia Marina Pola was laid down in Livorno in 1930 and commissioned in 1932. It had a displacement of 13,531 tonnes and was a Zara class heavy cruiser.
After the lull of the 30's and the start of WWII, Pola was the flagship of Admiral Riccardo Paladoni who was the commander of the 2nd Squadron. It took part in 12 actions. It took part in the Battle Of Cape Matapan where it's fatal destiny was decided. She was immobilised after being hit by a torpedo from a Fairey Swordish. Admiral Lachino ordered the remaining Zara class cruisers and 4 Oriani class destroyers to rescue the Pola. The rescue group's route brought them directly within the range of Admiral Cunningham's force which included HMS Warspite. All the rescue ships were sunk !.
A British destroyer HMS Jervis went alongside the unresisting Pola to rescue the wounded , 275 in all. Efforts to tow the stricken vessel to Alexandria were impracticable. It was then sunk by torpedoes by Royal navy destroyers. HMS Jervis and HMS Nubian.

Looking forward to this build...

Interesting ... nice to see an Italian ship!

Mela hekk Nannu,

Mokkoh biz-zopp ta' Inglisi.

U wara il-Pola Vapur Germaniz.

This is the colour scheme...however the forward deck should be dark blue




tajba Paul ...next one after this is the KONIG....so that should make you happy

Hi Louis,

Check if the Italians had a dazzle colour scheme - especially during 1943 and 1945. That would be a wonder.

Ray wrote:Go Nannu Go as it will be another STUNNER

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IMDAKKAR

Paul Salomone wrote:Hi Louis,

Check if the Italians had a dazzle colour scheme - especially during 1943 and 1945. That would be a wonder.

Paul yes that would be a very attractive scheme but if I use that camo scheme I will have to omit the red and white stripes on the bow of the ships , so I am opting for light grey finish....still will be attractive as the fwd and midships deck is dark blue....
tanks xorta habib

this is the colour scheme...

Hello Louis,
I wouldn't be so sure about that. Both the Roma and the Vittorio Veneto together with all the heavy cruisers had the dazzle camouflage whilst retaining the red and white areal recognition stripes.

Next meeting, I shall bring you a 3D of the Roma.

Hi Louis,

Some pictures of the battleship Roma.

These pictures are related to the computer imitation as used for the official movie (Inferno di Fuoco) - Hell of Fire.

But those stripes make her more visible in action...

Attractive yes very attractive... but as far as I know the forward and midship deck should be dark Blue and not grey...
now the problem is that I have never seen any pics of the Pola sporting a camo scheme...not saying that it didn't have it...but wud appreciate if you know where I can get some.......I think it's better to take the easy way out and the easiest cause I 'm starting the Konig with it as well
In nannu

oh yes forgot lol lol and the blast bags should be black
in nannu

this is only pic I found of a camo painted heavy cruiser but it's the 'Gorizia' which has disimilitarities in the forward superstructure.




here's some attractive schemes



as you can see the Pola is not there and further research indicated that the vessel was sunk at The Battle of Matapan before it even got the chance to sport a dazzle camo scheme...so it has to be an all grey finish...I'm afraid, but it will still have a striped fore deck and and dark blue in the midship decks....the aft deck will be in wood laminate...

Thanks xorta Paul
in nannu

U ejja Nannu Pecluq give us a "Pola Taghna Lkoll" Scheme Pleaze Pleaze Pleaze

Ray wrote:U ejja Nannu Pecluq give us a "Pola Taghna Lkoll" Scheme Pleaze Pleaze Pleaze

iT WILL BE TAGHNA llkoll ...the forward deck

Have started works on the Pola....forward and midship decks sanded clean and had to be scribed and detailed....more fine detail will be added once the Taghna llkoll finish will be applied
Top of mid ship supertstucture had to reworked and scratchbuilt as kit offering is incorrect...now working on the midship and bow deck

Another big one ...coming up..

U mela ejja nann! let's get to the build, great going but this is going to take a lot to beat your recent effort, that was one hell of a build.

Prosit Louis,

I have a funny feeling that this is going to be a master piece. Keep it up habib - the detailing looks superb.

Hull and top fwd deck and midships decks airbrushed...still more weathering to go ...it's still a dry fit...working on rear funnel