Thomas of Tortuga
The Wheel of Pain
La Ruota Del Delore: the Wheel of Pain.
This vessel is a direct spiritual successor to the famed La Bomba, which struck so valiantly with its host of torpedoes at the Valparaisan fleet during the Azzorre Crisis. A massive magazine ring of 40 torpedoes rotates like a revolver, firing its arsenal in sequence from the lowest point. Enormous rubber rollers inside and below the ring move and aim the weapon, on direction from the torpedoes' dedicated rangefinder. This revolving design allows for more accurate torpedo targeting and for more torpedoes to be launched from a smaller platform. Its disadvantages are its height (throwing off weight distribution,) its tendency to jam and stop rotating during battle, and its high cost. An accountant in the Principale Marine reportedly suffered an aneurysm upon hearing how many vessels the admirals wanted to buy.
Unlike La Bomba, La Ruota is a (somewhat) balanced vessel even after expending its torpedoes. It shares its heavy AA suite and advanced fire control with the Pendenza-class, adding 4 6" guns for anti-surface actions, and carries a hydrophone for better anti-submarine detection. It also shares similar speed and (lack of) armor to its sister ship. Observers expect the Ruota-class esploratori to be deployed alongside the Pendenza, depending on how badly the expected cost overruns the budget.
This photo shows La Ruota Del Dolore in a different oceanic camouflage scheme, omitting the "ghost" patches of light green in favor of a simpler mix of lighter blue tones.
The Wheel of Pain
La Ruota Del Delore: the Wheel of Pain.
This vessel is a direct spiritual successor to the famed La Bomba, which struck so valiantly with its host of torpedoes at the Valparaisan fleet during the Azzorre Crisis. A massive magazine ring of 40 torpedoes rotates like a revolver, firing its arsenal in sequence from the lowest point. Enormous rubber rollers inside and below the ring move and aim the weapon, on direction from the torpedoes' dedicated rangefinder. This revolving design allows for more accurate torpedo targeting and for more torpedoes to be launched from a smaller platform. Its disadvantages are its height (throwing off weight distribution,) its tendency to jam and stop rotating during battle, and its high cost. An accountant in the Principale Marine reportedly suffered an aneurysm upon hearing how many vessels the admirals wanted to buy.
Unlike La Bomba, La Ruota is a (somewhat) balanced vessel even after expending its torpedoes. It shares its heavy AA suite and advanced fire control with the Pendenza-class, adding 4 6" guns for anti-surface actions, and carries a hydrophone for better anti-submarine detection. It also shares similar speed and (lack of) armor to its sister ship. Observers expect the Ruota-class esploratori to be deployed alongside the Pendenza, depending on how badly the expected cost overruns the budget.
This photo shows La Ruota Del Dolore in a different oceanic camouflage scheme, omitting the "ghost" patches of light green in favor of a simpler mix of lighter blue tones.