She was originally built by G.Ansaldo & Co, Sestri Ponente as the passenger ship Roma of 32.853 ton, launched 26 February 1926 and taken into service 21 September 1926 for the Navigazione Generale Italiana Line. In 1932 transferred to the Societa Italia Flotte Riuniti/Italia Societa Anonima de Navigazione. April 1933 rebuilt for better performances as passengership. In July 1941 begun the rebuilding as the aircraft carrier Aquila based on the German carrier Graf Zeppelin design. Her displacement was 23.900 ton standard and 28.300 ton loaded. Dimensions 201, (waterline) x 231,1m (over all) x 29,5 x 7,3m (standard). Dimensions of the flight deck 213,5 x 25m. She was to carry around 36 aeroplanes. Armed with 8-135mm and 12-65mm guns. Her 8 boilers and 4 screws with 40.000 hp made a speed of 20 knots available. Her fuel capacity of 2800 ton made a distance of 7410 km by 18 knots possible. Her crew was to be around 1500 men. When Italy capitulated to the Allies the ship was not completed. She was scuttled at Genoa by Italian two-men torpedoes, salvaged and in 1952 broken up.
