Maizono-class light cruiser
The Maizono class cruisers where launched in 1317, a year after the start of the Great War, and were designed under the expectation that Antara was to be a part of the war. As such, the class was produced in greater numbers than previous cruisers and a greater tonnage to put it ahead of contemporary light cruisers. Maizono was well armed for her type, but poorly armoured and her she underperformed in terms of expected speed, but still managing a highly respectable 35 knots.
All six members of the class saw action in the Great War, with Lamberg, Lucetta, Maizono and Dalmond forming part of the scout contingent in the Battle of Hampton Island. Dalmond was torpedoed by destroyers of the Wesmeric 7th Destroyer Flotilla and went down with all hands. Lucetta and Maizono claimed one destroyer.
After the war, the Maizonos would remain in service for at least 30 more years. The class was modernized in the late 20s, complete with floatplane handling facilities and an updated fire control and main battery. In accordance with the ENT, Antara disarmed and mothballed all but Maizono and Darlington in 1336 in order to make room for more modern cruisers. Due to budget constraints, the navy could not build any dedicated training ships for its officer academies, instead they returned Lamberg, Lucetta and Monroe City from mothballing and set aside a section of the budget to bring them into active service even if unarmed. This however was only done in 1339 when the government had begun to predict the start of a new war. In 1340, Lucetta, Lamberg and Monroe City underwent modernization and conversion to training ships, however they were also capable of combat if need be.
Shortly after the outbreak of war in 1342, Maizono was the first to be sunk - in the Colonet port by Ilyanoran aircraft. The other remaining vessels were more fortunate and were stationed elsewhere. In 1346, Lamberg and Darlington were converted to air defense carrier escorts and were the only remaining vessels by that point. Given their age, both ships were promptly disposed of after the war.
The Maizonos had an export variant known as the Diamantberg class, though only one was completed before it was seized by the Antarans for the Great War. After the war, the vessel was given to the Sieg Navy, who now occupied the original client. This was done as a gesture of good will. Ironically though, Diamantberg would serve into the World War, where she fought against the Antarans and was sunk in 1345 by aircraft.
Blank versions -
https://imgur.com/a/EBUwrV8
Specifications:
Tonnage - 7600 tonnes standard
Speed - 36 knots (designed), 34.7 knots (actual)
Range - 11 000nm at 12 knots
Main battery - 8xI 152mm/45
Torpedoes - 2xIII 533mm
Armor - 50mm belt, 25mm extended belt, 50mm gun mounts, 100mm conning tower, 25mm decks
Ships in Class
Maizono - sunk by aircraft, 1342. Raised and scrapped, 1347
Darlington - sunk as target practice, 1351
Dalmond - torpedoed, 1319
Monroe City - sunk in surface action, 1345
Lucetta - sunk by aircraft, 1342. Raised and scrapped, 1347
Lamberg - scrapped, 1350