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Project 71 light aircraft carrier (ABL)

The aircraft carriers of this type were included in the Soviet shipbuilding program of 1938. Soviet and foreign designers collaborated to create a more traditional aircraft carrier design, coming up with what became known as Project 71 in mid-1939. The small carrier, with a displacement of 11,300 tons, was to be armed with 8x100-mm universal cannon, 16x37-mm guns, and 20x12.7-mm machineguns. The ship would have carried 20 aircraft, launched using 2 catapults.

It is curious that in the directory "Jane's Fighting Ships" for 1938-1939. The aircraft carrier "Red Banner" appears, which along with another ship of this type is supposed to be laid in Leningrad in 1939-1940. Its characteristics are similar to Pr.71: displacement of 12,000 tons, speed of 30 knots, armament of 12 100 mm AU and 40 aircraft. What was the basis for such a successful assumption is not known, but the Soviet side, according to the 1937 treaty obliged to provide information to the British about the ship's bookmarks, reported nothing of the kind, in the absence of the fact itself.

Nikolai Kuznetsov was appointed in April 1939 as the People's Commissar of the Navy. Thanks to his efforts, the plans of the Third Five-Year Plan of 1938-1942 included the laying of two aircraft carriers, one for the Northern and Pacific fleets. However, already in January 1940, the plan of the Navy was reduced by half, and there were no aircraft carriers in it. Stalin had an inexplicable passion for huge battleships, and few people dared to object to him.

But Kuznetsov did not stop, at his instruction in TsKB-17 under the leadership of V.V. Ashik continued the development of aircraft carriers. The work was carried out in two directions: a large aircraft carrier with a two-tier hangar for 62 aircraft (project 72) and a small, With one-stage for 32 aircraft (project 71). The deck fighter was to be replaced with a ship modification of the famous Yakovlev Yak-9K fighter, the Tupolev design bureau was to develop ship torpedo bombers PT-M71. The main way to take off aircraft from aircraft carriers was a free take-off on the flight deck, the use of catapults was provided only at maximum takeoff weight and adverse weather conditions.

In February 1938, the Navy's Main Staff approved the requirements for a future Soviet aircraft carrier for action on the high seas and off the coast of the enemy with reconnaissance, bomber and anti-aircraft targets. He was to carry 45 fighters and light bombers, eight 130-mm guns and eight coupled anti-aircraft guns. According to these TTX CRI-45 prepared a project for a small aircraft carrier 71a.

The initial program did not show any specific requirements for the aircraft carrier's design, but soon the TTZ was put forward for a light aircraft carrier of approximately 13,000 tons displacement and an air group of 40 aircraft.

The initial version of the weapons included 3 twin 130mm gun mounts, 8 coupled 100mm installations and 4 quadruple 37mm submachine guns. In the final version, the armament was reduced to 8 single-armed 100mm units and 4 quadruple automatic machines.

The hull and power plant were borrowed from the Project 68 Chapaev light cruisers under construction. The Navy approved the project, and the first ship would have been laid down in 1942. The war froze the plans. By the beginning of the war, the construction of these aircraft carriers was canceled. Six were planned, but none were ever realized. Designers continued their work, creating the upgraded Project 72 in 1944, but neither project would ever see the light of day.