Calling all Graf Zeppelin-class fans

[NRichards]

Wanted to call to the attention of all GZ fans - and those anticipating the forthcomming kit - that the newest issue of Warship International (the magazine of the International Naval Research Organization) has two articles dedicated to the design and history of the GZ.

The first article, which includes several pages of plans and profiles of the GZ as well as plans for the proposed CV conversions of Europa, Potsdam, Seydlitz and Gneisnau (the liner Not the Battlecruiser) conversions.

The second article is translated from Taifun, a russian language publication, and covers the history of the GZ after the war while she was in Soviet hands. This article lays to rest once and for all the myths surrounding her sinking. It was not a case of storm or incompetence, nor was she loaded with trainlcars and other war booty - but she was deliberately expended to test the effects of bombs and shells...finally scuttled by destroyer torpedos. There are photographs of various tests and two of the GZ going down.

Throughout the issue there are numerous photographs that will be of interest to the modeler...including one of the GZ in drydock that gives an excellent impression of the bulges that had been added in 1942-43. The back cover has the only known color photograph of the GZ.

The next issue of Warship International will have additional material on the GZ.

You can find information about Warship International at their website at http://www.warship.org

Nat

[Tracy White]

Hey, Randy Short's got a question; does anyone know what type of wood they were planning on using on Graf Zeppelin's flight deck?

[Gilbert]

Hey, Randy Short's got a question; does anyone know what type of wood they were planning on using on Graf Zeppelin's flight deck?

Hi Tracy,

according to Siegfried Breyer book on Graf Zeppelin her flight deck was in steel, covered with wood - no type specified - but IMHO, wood would be the same one the DKM has usually on their warships, teak.

cheers

Gilbert

[NRichards]

Photographs in the referenced articles in WI show that atleast some of the wood decking was fitted.

An RAF recon photo (NH 78306) dated 6 Feb 1942 shows that the portion of the flight deck aft of the center elevator had received it's wooded sheathing, as had portions of the deck between the center and forward elevators.

Another photo, dating form 1947 shot from the aft end of the deck shows a Soviet officer standing on the wet deck (it was raining) and you can clearly see the planking. In this image you can also see the ships propellers that had been removed and placed on the flight deck

What sort of wood? The article does not state. I would guess that it would be a type of wood readily available in a blockaded Germany of 1940-42. This would likely rule out teak and mahogany which are not native to europe. It would not surprise me if it was a type of fir, indigenous to both Germany and to Scandanavia....but that's only a guess. Another option would be pine, but I would imagine that to be way too soft a wood to be expected to stand up to flight ops.

Nat

[russclark]

i was looking around other forums and came across this,a computer drawing of graff zepplin, have never built a aircraft carrier but if i did she would be high on the list,this is one very neat looking ship.heres the link http://www.military-meshes.com/forums/s ... php?t=2341

[Navy-Model-Buff]

I am planning on doing the GZ bt was wondering where to buy the planes for the GZ's deck? The ME109T , the Ju87C and the FI 167 arent exactly the easiest models ( diecast or plastic ) to find. Also as I love the look of real wood fight decks but have never used them befoe what is a good place to get them.
Thanks, Anthony

[Rob-UK]

I don't know if you folks have come across this, but I've just discovered an amazing set of photos which are of great interest and should be a good modelling reference.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.ph ... lochau.jpg

Just go to about 2/3 of the way down this page, there are a few close up external and internal views of Graf Zeppelin during late construction. Absolutely facinating record of this 'lost' carrier.

[Rob-UK]

Some more at the lower end of this page too. These appear to be a bit more advanced in building and fitting out. Looks like the wooden decking is just starting to be laid.

http://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.ph ... Zuckau.jpg

[cedric_chan1322]

Did Graf Zeppelin resumed construction in Deutsche Werke Kiel AG shipyard in 1942? or else where in Kiel? Does anyone know the location of Graf Zeppelin in Kiel (1942)?

[Cliffy B]

Check it out guys!!!

http://www.freetimehobbies.com/index.as ... odID=56094

1/200 Lindberg Graf Zeppelin. Pre-order now for $199.95

Hope it's better then the Lindberg Fletchers when it comes to accuracy but since the Zeppelin was never completed...

[ninjrk]

Wanted to call to the attention of all GZ fans - and those anticipating the forthcomming kit - that the newest issue of Warship International (the magazine of the International Naval Research Organization) has two articles dedicated to the design and history of the GZ.

The first article, which includes several pages of plans and profiles of the GZ as well as plans for the proposed CV conversions of Europa, Potsdam, Seydlitz and Gneisnau (the liner Not the Battlecruiser) conversions.

The second article is translated from Taifun, a russian language publication, and covers the history of the GZ after the war while she was in Soviet hands. This article lays to rest once and for all the myths surrounding her sinking. It was not a case of storm or incompetence, nor was she loaded with trainlcars and other war booty - but she was deliberately expended to test the effects of bombs and shells...finally scuttled by destroyer torpedos. There are photographs of various tests and two of the GZ going down.

Throughout the issue there are numerous photographs that will be of interest to the modeler...including one of the GZ in drydock that gives an excellent impression of the bulges that had been added in 1942-43. The back cover has the only known color photograph of the GZ.

The next issue of Warship International will have additional material on the GZ.

You can find information about Warship International at their website at http://www.warship.org

Nat

This sounds similar to what was in the recent AJ Press book on the GZ. Are there additional photos or info that weren't included in that book?

Thanks,
Matt

[N Richards]

<<This sounds similar to what was in the recent AJ Press book on the GZ. Are there additional photos or info that weren't included in that book?<<

I have not seen the AJ Press book so I can not answer that directly. The contents of the WI article are some images I have previously seen and many that I have not previously seen.

The articles and images in WI are definately different then the material in the Schiffer book on GZ...

[herrmill]

Saw this on Zealot Hobby today. Someone was kind enough to compile all 74 known photos of Graf Zeppelin & put them in one location:

http://images.google.com/images?hl=nl&q ... =0&ndsp=21

Chuck

[Nat Richards]

That is a good reference, but there are other images of GZ in the issue of WI I referenced when I started this thread that do not appear on that site.

Most of the missing images are post-war when the GZ was in Soviet hands. As previously mentioned, one of those is a color image.

One of the earlier posters asked if those were the same images used in the AJ Press book....some are, but the Soviet images and atleast one of the german images and the allied aerial images are not in the AJ Press Book. The AJ Press book is nice and has a very nice set of color profiles, but some of the material in the WI article is not found in the book.

Since this thread started, the newest issue of WI has appeared with information on the air group and some excellent images of catapualt trials. There is also an article on the post-war soviet design for cruisers.

Nat

[Olaf Held]

Hi all ~ Seems to be that there will be a G/Z movie...

There are teasers to be found on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkIQq2SV ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jd7ivRb ... re=related

Even the cgi of 'Titanic' (1997) was better...

Attacking NY (or whatever) with 13 Stuka? German 'Doolittle-Raid light version'?

Hmmm... Olaf!

[Jimmy Conway]

Nice ship. I have some drawings and references for her, if I can help somebody with specific area of the ship ask me here, that will be a pleasure to contact and send some information.

Nice regards: Jimmy Conway

[strike_noir_23]

Does anyone know if any company has or is talking about a 1/350 scale model of the Graf Zeppelin?

[FrancisMcN]

Does anyone know if any company has or is talking about a 1/350 scale model of the Graf Zeppelin?

No but Lindberg is meant to be doing a 1/200th version which may or may not look like the original depending on how interested they are in accuracy at the time!

[MartinJQuinn]

Does anyone know if any company has or is talking about a 1/350 scale model of the Graf Zeppelin?

Admiralty Model Works had the hull of a Graf Zepplin master at the 2008 IPMS/USA National convention, but I've never heard anything more about that project.

[Mr. Grumpy]

is the Revell kit worth buying??

the guns, aircraft, and just about everything else needs to be replaced.....apart from the oversized portholes can the hull itself be salvaged? i am interested in getting the kit and replacing just about everything that can be replaced with superior pieces from a Prinz Eugen kit.

I haven't managed to track down photos of the HP kit but its price tag all but rules it out anyways.