BAV Zulia (CV-1928)
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The Maturin and Zulia were ships of the ex Russian Imperator Nikolai I class
of battleship. The Nikolai Class were to be improved Gangut's. The shortcomings
of the Gangut were known and steps were taken to remedy the numerous problems.
The first most noticeable item was the raised forecastle for improved sea
keeping and to add some much needed extra buoyancy forward. This ship had been
towed behind the Evstafi for thousands of miles from where it had been fitting
out at the Nikolayev Yard. A survey was
carried out at Puerto Cabello when the ship arrived in Venezuela to see if it
was possible for the Venezuelan Navy Yard to complete the ship as a battleship. The amount and
types of parts required were beyond their capabilities of producing, for now. At this
stage news was arriving of the Brazilian and Argentinean navies search for ships
to be used for conversion to aircraft carriers. After being re-christened the
Zulia, the Venezuelan Navy had a meeting with several US yard representatives as
to what would be required to convert the Zulia to an aircraft carrier. Several designs were produced for the conversion of the Zulia.
One of the US designs was taken up as it would be within the remit of the yards
at Puerto Cabello to complete.
The preparation of the Zulia for conversion to an aircraft carrier included
removing all of the previously fitted armaments, armour and superstructure. The
walls and support for the hangar was all steel plate that the yards were capable
of producing. The US yards had provided information on the flight deck and how
to use the edges for placing weapons and other fittings. One of the major
replacements was to replace the original machinery with a 90,000shp turbo
electric drive. This was half of the machinery tat was to have been fitted to
the USS Constellation and powered the Zulia and Maturin instead.
Various refits were undertaken at both Puerto Cabello and US ports to upgrade
armament and electronics. Venezuela sourced its aircraft complements from the US
manufacturers and this allowed the Venezuelan carriers to integrate into US Task
Forces in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans much easier. This was also aided by
joint exercises with the US Navy.
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| Displacement |
25,500 tons std 30,400 tons full load |
| Length |
604 ft |
| Breadth |
95 ft hull (107 over sponsons) |
| Draught |
30 ft |
| Machinery |
4 shaft steam turbines, 90,000shp |
| Speed |
28 knots |
| Range |
5000 miles at 14 knots |
| Armour |
2" box over magazines and machinery |
| Armament |
As completed 1928
4 x 3" AA (4x1)
12 x 0.5" mg (12x1)
|
With refits to 1942
8x 3.9" (4x2)
8 x 40mm (4x2)
14 x 20mm (14x1) |
| Aircraft |
32 |
| Torpedoes |
nil |
| Complement |
1540 |
| Notes |
BAV Zulia |
Old drawing which isn't too bad, but dated 1928 with 20mm and 40mm weapons.
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