Forward aircraft complicated Condottieri operations

The early Condottieri cruisers prioritized speed in the Franco-Italian naval race. Aircraft at the bow could benefit from the ship steaming into the wind, but recovery required stopping and craning them across the forward guns. The arrangement also placed aviation fuel and open space near the bow, raising concerns about fire and buoyancy after damage. Protection was thin, with the quoted deck and belt thicknesses of 20 mm and 24 mm offering little margin. The aircraft arrangements therefore complicated the operations and survivability of ships expected to scout for the fleet. Later Condottieri groups improved, so the criticism centres on the early designs.