A sub-class of the Condottieri-class and ordered by the Regia Marina as a follow on to the Giussano-class, these two ships had similar characteristics but were intended to have improved protection and stability. However, protection ended up being virtually the same, but stability and hull strength were improved. Otherwise, these ships showed no improvement in fighting power over the earlier Giussano-class. A late war refit would see the removal of the catapult and two aircraft originally carried for additional light anti-aircraft weapons.

Models supplied unassembled and unpainted