1/700 Vittorio Veneto (Trumpeter) by Nick Dogger

The ship is shown moored, with companion ways deployed, and with visiting boats,
and a civilian yacht, around her.

For added interest and detail she has a full complement of ship's boats,
although I think this was rarely, if ever, carried.

To try to convey some sense of movement to the scene (Vittorio Veneto was after all a fast ship),
as well as some wash and contrasting colour to the sea, some boats are speeding by, including a larger harbour patrol vessel (made from the spares box, with added details).

Two RO 43 biplanes are on the wooden quarter deck ;

(As yet, no Reggiane 2000 fighter was shipped), also carrying red and white recognition stripes.

They hopefully help add to the general feeling of clutter and interest which I have tried to create.

Coming to the making of the model itself, using references for the real ship I added various details, and made changes to the base kit.

For the added detail, the very comprehensive Flyhawk "Roma" pe set was invaluable, as were boats,
dinghy rafts and other parts supplied by Regia Marina (including the "Vittorio Veneto" name plates).

As for the changes, in particular it seemed to me that the bow should be less pointed/more blunt;
the armour/plating indents to the bow and stern areas be toned down and reduced in depth, being over scale; the aft portholes be made larger than the others;
and that some adjustment to the funnel heights should also be made.

I also thought it would be interesting to add the covers to the hull portholes, as shown in photos of the ship at this time,
(using wire rings filled with white glue); to open up the bridge windows; and to add the skirts to the bases of the heavy 90/50 aa battery
(although I believe in reality these were not fitted until later).

For the rigging, funnel top cages, and wiring on the awning stanchions and aircraft, I used stretched sprue;
and for the railings I used extra fine photoetch stock from Gold Medals, who also provided the photoetch crew.

The flag is from Starling Models; and I made the mooring bouys, fore deck single 30mm guns, main mast,
superstructure louvred vents, cable reel hoses and wiring, and other details, using various scraps of material.

The sea, which I have tried to depict in an appropriate Mediterranean blue, is made from plaster.

Hopefully, the finished model captures something of the graceful and powerful appearance of this ship.