The most characteristic silhouettes of maritime history, the battleships HMS Nelson and HMS Rodney, are direct consequences of the Washington Treaty. Built under the seal of the economy of weight, these two battleships brought no less real innovations. Armed with formidable pieces of 406 mm and very early equipped with radar, these ships of line will be, throughout their career, penalized by the unreliability of their machines and by their modest speed.
However, these ships will cross the Second World War, accomplishing multiple missions: escort convoys, Rodney participated in the destruction of the famous Bismarck, the two ships fought the Regia Marina and the Regia Aeronautica in the Mediterranean, then participated in the landing of Normandy. Finally, Nelson joined the East Indies Fleet where he ended the war.
Discover the complete history of these giants of the seas through the 200 photographs, 5 color profiles and 20 shots of this special issue Ships & History.
NEWSPAPER :
Last publication from the publisher LELA PRESS, a long-awaited special edition on a class of English battleships which have been ahead of their time by some sides and which have had a notable influence for the French navy which will adopt for the class DUNKERQUE and RICHELIEU all at the front for the main armament and also the blockhouse towers instead of the tripods ...
Put under construction at the beginning of the 20s, they are the most powerful ships of the European fleets with in main armament of 9 guns (in 3 turrets) of 406 mm (in place of the 456 planned) and 12 of 152 mm. .
The fact of having distributed the 3 turrets on the front was intended 1 / to have better protection over a limited area. 2 / to lighten the vessel by a considerable weight gain.
Suddenly, this class fell practically into the naval treaty of WASHINGTON which is set up in 1921 ...
Contrary to what relates, it is not the Germans with the DEUTSCHLAND class who are the 1st to relaunch the construction of battleships in Europe but the English ...
The NELSON class is very innovative for the time and incorporates the latest technologies, radar (from 1938), aluminum, blockhouse tower, flush deck deck, redesigned crew stations, ... Only their 23nd speed will be low compared to what will be launched shortly ...
Their very compact appearance on the back gives the illusion that it lacks a length ... They will cross the Second conflict (they have 18 years of service in 39) with honor to be finally dismantled at the end of the 40s ...
Many plans dot this number allowing to see their evolutions and the different camouflages quite surprising in some very pale colors ...
A lot of photos to support the text which is the hallmark of the review ...
For lovers of the Navy a number to have ...
Laurent de Heller-Forever.
