Hello there!
Here an idea for a "mild-impact" to what is our timeline... This is still in development, as a merged RPG/Air Combat Sim (using IL-2 simulator) - here a pair of links to better follow the background idea:
http://z4.invisionfree.com/Hells_Devils/index.php
http://www.sas1946.com/main/index.php/topic,25004.0.html
And here a little introductory insight to give you a clue...
Beginning of June 1925. The Italian yacht "Strega", at sea from Athens to Rhodos is attacked, by a well organized gang of pirates, with fast motorboats and even a flying boat. Threatening to bomb the ship from the air, the pirates force it to stop the engines, and then climb aboard. After looting everything of some value for them, they start murdering everyone on board, with no mercy.
Among the victims is Antonella Lombardi, the wife of Captain Paolo Colussi, a famous Italian "ace" of the Great War...
Count Giuseppe Giacometti, a well-known Italian millionaire and ship-owner and proprietor of a shipping company, is onboard of the attacked yacht and, after seeing his wife being killed before his eyes, is shot in the head and left for dead by pirates already leaving the vessel to its own destiny ...
But Giuseppe Giacometti is not dead, sole survivor of the massacre, and some hours later is rescued by the crew of another ship, to whom he tells the incredible facts.
The news goes around the world, causing horror and indignation.
Captain Colussi, after the terrible blow suffered because of the barbarous murder of his wife, decides to act on his own, and decides to visit his friend Giuseppe Giacometti at the hospital, where he is recovering from the head injury. Andrea Giacometti, son of Giuseppe Giacometti and serving in the Royal Italian Navy under Colussi's command goes with him to meet the father.
Already very good friends, and now united by the terrible tragedy that deprived them of their loved ones, Colussi and the Giacomettis, moved by a thirst for revenge, start thinking about retaliation.
Few days after they are joined by an eighteen years old deaf youngster, Davok Solvang, whos parents were killed some months earlier by what seems the same pirate gang that attacked the italian yacht.
At first Captain Colussi wants to send Davok back home, to not involve him in what it is preparing, but the young man opposes a flat refusal, and such is his determination that at the end the harsh military is forced to surrender.
As soon Giacometti is declared out of danger, it is decided to choose a ship of the Giacometti's Merchant fleet and almost immediately, and in great secrecy, are initiated the preparations to put in being the terrible purpose which appears to have become the only life-reason for Colussi and Giacometti.
The chosen ship's name is "(to be decided)" and, altought extensively modified, from the outside apparently nothing changes. But in reality, very effectively concealed, some medium caliber cannons are installed, with several machine guns, and even some deadly torpedo tubes, transforming the harmless merchantman in a real auxiliary cruiser, ready to face any enemy that can appear at the horizon.
Giacometti is also a partner of some military aircraft manufacturers, such as Macchi and Savoia, and thanks to his friendships a small batch of floatplane fighters are quickly designed and manufactured, which are placed in the capable holds of the ship, used as hangars and maintenance shops.
Some mercenary pilots are hired to fly the aircraft, leaded by Andrea Giacometti and Paolo Colussi, and between them is Davok, who is already an accomplished pilot, despite his physical shortcomings.
In November of 1925 everything is ready for departure. The ship sets sail with a crew of highly select men, personally chosen one by one by Giacometti and Colussi themselves. And to Davok goes the honor to choose a battlename for the group composing the crew, wich immediately stucks: the "Hell's Devils"...
The Hell's Devils reach the place where the massacre took place, but in the meantime the pirates are gone, to beat new "hunting territories" ...
The "Hell's Devils" do not desist, and depart on their hunt, going to meet who knows what kind and how many adventures ...