Riccardi's apparent enthusiasm for aircraft is set against the strategic work expected of an admiral. Interest in machines was not the same as developing a plan to employ aviation against an enemy. Only by June 1941, after Matapan and six months of Riccardi's leadership, had the navy and air force agreed to build a carrier. The conversion of the liner Roma into Aquila never produced an operational ship, showing the gap between recognizing a capability and overcoming inter-service, industrial, and wartime obstacles to field it.
Chapter · 6:03-8:31
An aviation enthusiast without a carrier breakthrough
Riccardi's interest in aircraft did not quickly translate into operational naval aviation: agreement to build Aquila came only after Matapan, and the converted carrier never entered service.