IRN Navarra (CL-1929)

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The Navarra class were the most important cruiser class built by the Iberian Navy. A new twin turret was produced to house the 5.9" casemate guns being removed from the older ex-Germanic States battleships. In the end over 50 of the 5.9" guns were available and armed six ships of the class. Where other navies were building the 10,000 ton treaty cruisers with 8" guns and little or no armour, these Iberian cruisers were perfectly adequate, with better armour, good speed and guns that could reach out to 22,000 yards with 45 degrees elevation. While this was 4-5,000 yards less than the latest British 6" guns. Most cruiser actions, especially in the Atlantic, was around the 20-25,000 yard visibility range. So the older guns in the new turrets were within reason.

The ships were based on the successful British 'E' class cruisers, with similar length and slightly wider beam. The boiler and engine layout meant a two funnel design compared to the original three funnel design of the 'E's. The heavy AA armament was based around eight single 4" AA guns. Some thought was given to replacing these guns with the twin 4.5" turret but the extra 24 turrets that would have been required would have added extra length of time to the building of the new ships using the 4.5" and the old battleships that were being refitted and had first call on those weapons. The four sets of triple 21" torpedo tubes were all under cover. The aircraft handling facilities allowed for only one aircraft.

Midships of Navarra, 5.9" casemate gun from ex-Germanic States battleship.

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