RN Raimondo Montecuccoli

RN Raimondo Montecuccoli

RN Bartolomeo Colleoni

RN Eugenio di Savoia

RN Raimondo Montecuccoli

RN Bartolomeo Colleoni

RN Eugenio di Savoia

Italy

IV Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
5.3	5.7	5.7

Class:

Light cruiser

Research:89 000

Purchase:300 000

Description

The RN Raimondo Montecuccoli was the first one of Raimondo Montecuccoli-subclass of Condottieri cruisers. She was laid down in October 1931 and commissioned in June 1935, marking a major shift for the class by evolving into a proper cruiser rather than a destroyer-hunter. To achieve this transformation, the designers doubled the mass allocated to armour, upgraded the boilers, and increased the anti-aircraft armament. Her first assignment was to protect Italian shipping and troops in Tianjin during the Second Sino-Japanese War. Her initial combat encounter occurred at the Battle of Punta Stilo in the early stages of World War II, where she did not achieve any notable success. It was not until the battle in mid-June that she attained her first combat success by inflicting significant damage on HMS Bedouin, destroying her superstructure. She then engaged in an intense gunfight with HMS Ithuriel, an I-class destroyer, closing to within 7 kilometres of each other. During this engagement, Ithuriel suffered multiple shrapnel damages, and Montecuccoli was hit directly in the officers' quarters, prompting her to disengage. This battle represented the greatest combat success of her career. Following the armistice, she served as a troop transport, and after the end of World War II, she continued in the Italian Navy as a training cruiser for the next 20 years.

Introduced in Update "Starfighters" along with the initial release of the Italian navy, Raimondo Montecuccoli-class, RN Raimondo Montecuccoli, 1943 is one of the best light cruisers of her battle rating. Her biggest flaw is a lacklustre torpedo armament and ammo rack protection, but in the right hands, she can be an exceptional warship, able to play with the enemy vessels on her own terms and easily destroy enemy destroyers and light cruisers in any duel.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armourfront / side / back

Citadel40 / 60 / 30 mm

Main fire tower70 / 22 / 22 mm

Hull25 mm (steel)

Superstructure8 mm (steel)

Number of section8

Displacement8 995 t

Crew648 people

Overview of the protection scheme

With 578 crew members, and an armour belt of 60 mm, the Raimondo Montecuccoli boasts one of the most reliable hulls for taking damage from the front. 25 mm of steel armour also surrounds the ship alongside the forward fuel tanks, allow the ship to take prolonged fire while leaving its crew and modules protected. However when approached from the side the decent 60 mm armour belt turns into a downside, as it is easily penetrated by lower ranked vessels such as the Sumner. The rear ammo rack is particularly easy to destroy because of its location at the water line, and the lack of modules around it to absorb damage.

Mobility

Speedforward / back

AB84 / 38 km/h

RB72 / 32 km/h

Mobility Characteristics
Game Mode	Upgrade Status	Maximum Speed (km/h)		Turn Time (s)	Turn Radius (m)
		Forward	Reverse
AB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	84	38
RB/SB	Stock	___	___
	Upgraded	72	32

The Montecuccoli is tied with the Attilio Regolo as the fastest cruiser at 72 km/h forward, while also boasting a high reverse speed of 32 km/h, while the Regolo can only reach a top speed of 26 km/h in reverse. This high speed allows the Montecuccoli to dominate maps where it can push capture points or switch objectives quickly when needed.

Modifications and economy

Repair costBasic → Reference

AB10 845 → 14 673

RB10 531 → 14 248

Total cost of modifications78 000

134 300

Talisman cost1 700

Crew training87 000

Experts300 000

Aces1 100

Research Aces520 000

Reward for battleAB / RB / SB

450 / 600 / 100 %

172 / 172 / 172 %

Modifications

Seakeeping	Unsinkability	Firepower
Dry-Docking Research: 5 200 Cost: 8 900 370 Rudder Replacement Research: 2 900 Cost: 5 000 210 Propeller Replacement Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 230 Engine Maintenance Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260	Damage Control Division Research: 5 200 Cost: 8 900 370 Fire Division Research: 2 900 Cost: 5 000 210 Smokescreen Research: 2 900 Cost: 5 000 210 Shrapnel Protection Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 230 Ventilation Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 230 New Pumps Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260 Ammo Wetting Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260	Anti-Air Armament Targeting Research: 5 200 Cost: 8 900 370 Auxiliary Armament Targeting Research: 2 900 Cost: 5 000 210 152mm_it_palla_naval_ap_ammo_pack Research: 2 900 Cost: 5 000 210 100mm_it_perforante_navy_ap_ammo_pack Research: 2 900 Cost: 5 000 210 Primary Armament Targeting Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 230 Improved Rangefinder Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 230 100mm_it_dirompente_contro_aerea_navy_he_df_ammo_pack Research: 3 300 Cost: 5 700 230 Torpedo Mode Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260 152mm_it_contro_aerea_naval_he_ammo_pack Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260 Bomb mortar Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260 Hydroplane Research: 3 600 Cost: 6 200 260

Armament

Primary armament

4 х Turret2 x 152/53 mm O.T.O. Mod.1929 cannon

Ammunition420 rounds

Vertical guidance-10° / 45°

The Montecuccoli is equipped with 8 dual-mounted 152/53 mm O.T.O Mod.1929 cannons. This armament is divided between both sides of the ship allowing for good firing angles. The best round for the ship is the APHEBC Palla with a penetration of 282 mm at 1,000 m and an explosive mass of 800 g. This shell allows the Montecuccoli to reliably frontally penetrate other ships' bows to damage modules and ammunition racks when being pushed. As backup rounds the ship also carries two HE rounds labelled HE Dirompente with 29 mm of penetration at any range or angle with an explosive mass of 2.39 kg, but the HE-TF round is also given a time fuse allowing it to be more versatile. Because of the precarious ammunition rack location along the waterline, it is recommended to bring around 500 rounds of APHEBC for the primary round, and around 250 rounds of HE-TF to be used against smaller boats and aircraft.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		1,000 m	2,500 m	5,000 m	7,500 m	10,000 m	15,000 m
HE Dirompente	HE	29	29	29	29	29	29
APHEBC Palla	APHEBC	277	229	168	125	95	70
HE-TF Contro-aerea	HE-TF	29	29	29	29	29	29

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (s)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
HE Dirompente	HE	935	44.57	0	0.1	2,390	79°	80°	81°
APHEBC Palla	APHEBC	900	47.5	0.03	7	800	48°	63°	71°
HE-TF Contro-aerea	HE-TF	935	44.57	0	0.1	2,390	79°	80°	81°

Secondary armament

3 х Turret2 x 100 mm/47 O.T.O. Mod. 1928 cannon

Ammunition1200 rounds

Equipped with 6 dual-mounted 100 mm/47 O.T.O Mod. 1928 cannons, the Montecuccoli is blessed with reliable secondary armament to be used when the primary armament is disabled. When used aggressively, it is suggested to load primarily the APHE round because of its 150 mm of penetration at 100 m, and its 820 g explosive mass. This shell is reliable to disable the main turrets on other cruisers. However the HE-TF Contro-aerea is also useful as an anti-aircraft shell, as well as using its 17 mm of penetration at any angle to deliver 1.3 kg of explosive mass to smaller PT boats.

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		100 m	1,000 m	2,000 m	3,000 m	4,000 m	5,000 m
HE Dirompente	HE	17	17	17	17	17	17
APHE Perforante	APHE	150	129	109	93	78	67
HE-TF Contro-aerea	HE-TF*	17	17	17	17	17	17

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile mass (kg)	Fuse delay (s)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
HE Dirompente	HE	850	13.2	0	0.1	1,300	79°	80°	81°
APHE Perforante	APHE	850	13.8	0.01	6	820	47°	60°	65°
HE-TF Contro-aerea	HE-TF*	850	13.2	0	0.1	1,300	79°	80°	81°

Anti-aircraft armament

4 х Turret2 x 37 mm/54 Breda Mod.38 autocannon

Ammunition3000 rounds

Belt capacity6 rounds

Fire rate200 shots/min

10 х Turret20 mm/70 Oerlikon 3S autocannon

Ammunition1800 rounds

Belt capacity60 rounds

Fire rate450 shots/min

The Montecuccoli is adequately protected from aircraft by 8 dual-mounted 37 mm/54 Breda Mod.38 autocannons, and 10 single-mounted 20 mm/70 Oerlikon 3S autocannons. In conjunction with the secondary armament, the AI will have no trouble removing smaller targets during a battle leaving the player safe to engage larger targets with the primary armament.

Additional armament

Setup 18 x 533 mm steam turbined torpedo S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo M

Setup 210 x B TG depth charge

Setup 38 x 533 mm steam turbined torpedo S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo M

2 x B TG depth charge

Graced with 533 mm steam-turbined S.I. 270/533,4X7,2 Tipo M torpedoes in dual mounts along the sides of the main funnel, the Montecuccoli can achieve excellent firing angles for these torpedoes while also leaving them protected while charging an enemy. With torpedo mode enabled, the torpedoes travel 12 km with a speed of 56 km/h, while disabled the torpedo travels 4 km at a speed of 93 km/h. Because of the low amount of torpedoes (4 total), it is recommended to disable the torpedo mode as it allows the ship to more reliably aim the torpedoes while brawling.

Scout plane

Located amidships is a catapult with one Ro.43 scout plane which provides unique offensive and defensive abilities, expanding tactical options. Ship-launched scout planes fly just like regular tree units but lack munition choices and cockpit views. The Ro.43 is a 2-seater equipped with two fixed offensive light machine guns and a single defensive machine gun turret, but no bombs. It does have the scout plane ability to cap zones and lay down smoke cover (up to 3 times). Captains will be wise to remember to utilise the aircraft and consider when best to use it, for example to cap a point early or late in the match, to create a smoke screen to stymie enemy bombardment and repair, to attack enemy units directly, or perhaps something completely new!

Usage in battles

The Raimondo Montecuccoli is second only to the Admiral Graf Spee in its ability to absorb damage using its bow's large size, and lack of modules, allowing the ship to safely charge objectives or enemies. In addition to its high speed and excellent firing angles on the 4 torpedoes, it is best recommended to point the bow of the ship towards an enemy and close into the 4 km range of the torpedoes to get reliable kills on other cruisers that can't react to the positioning the Montecuccoli can achieve. This strategy works best against ships such as the Admiral Hipper, and Sverdlov. These ships lack the firepower to reliably disable the Montecuccoli, or adequately avoid the excellent torpedo spread the Montecuccoli can use. While this is the most enjoyable usage of the Montecuccoli, it isn't reliable for sustained gameplay as the ship can easily be flanked and destroyed after reaching the enemy lines. Ships such as the Admiral Graf Spee, Brooklyn, and Mogami can also counter this playstyle by using their excellent guns to penetrate the excellent bow protection to destroy the Montecuccoli. An alternative usage is as a stationary sniper after reaching an unexpected location by using its high speed. This playstyle eliminates the flanking threat, but limits the effectiveness of the guns and torpedoes.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Highest top speed for a cruiser
• Excellent forward protection
• Excellent torpedo firing angles
• Effective primary armament
• One scout seaplane

Cons:

• Inadequate ammo protection
• Limited torpedo quantity
• Inadequate torpedo range

History

The Raimondo Montecuccoli was designed in the third group of Condottieri-class light cruisers by Ansaldo, and Genoa. Named after the 17th century Italian general Raimondo Montecuccoli, the cruiser was involved in battles such as the Battle of Punta Stilo, and convoy attacks during the Battle of Pantelleria. The ship eventually ended surviving the war and acting as a training cruiser until 1961.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the RN Raimondo Montecuccoli from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

Incrociatore Raimondo Montecuccoli after WW2 (1947-1949) - Silvestro Migliorini
Archive montage of Raimondo Montecuccoli during his military service as a training ship

See also

Links to articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example:

• reference to the series of the ship;
• links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.

External links

• [wikipedia] Italian cruiser Raimondo Montecuccoli
• Struggle for the Middle Sea. The Great Navies at War in the Mediterranean Theater, 1940-1945 by Vincent P. O'Hara
• Włoskie krazowniki lekkie typu Raimondo Montecuccoli by Andrzej Perepeczko - Morze Statki i Okręty 09/2009 (page 42-45)

Ansaldo
Corvettes
Gabbiano-class	RN Gabbiano · Folaga
Destroyers
Leone-class	RN Leone · RN Tigre
Light Cruisers
Condottieri-class	RN Bartolomeo Colleoni · RN Raimondo Montecuccoli · RN Eugenio di Savoia
Heavy Cruisers
Trento-class	RN Bolzano
Battleships
Conte di Cavour-class	Novorossiysk*
	*RN Giulio Cesare before war reparation to the USSR