DKM Graf Zeppelin by RGL - FINISHED - Trumpeter - 1/350 - PLASTIC

[RGL]

So, the next major build and my first aircraft carrier. Trumpeter 1/350 Graf Zeppelin, with the MK 1 design detail up set which is significantly more complex than the Infini set. Extras such as more aircraft, range finders etc. 

 

The history, well, it never fought, but, after  a lifetime of reading history, I’m now a bit of a fan of alternative history now. 

 

Setting the stage for where this build will lead;

 

Just imagine, no Operation Barbarossa. No 2 front war with the Russian bear, France held captive, England slowly strangled, no diversion of resources from the Middle East to support a Nazi seizure of middle eastern oil fields; Egypt overthrows British hedgemony blocking the Suez Canal and become a Vassal state. 

 

Spain isolates Gibraltar, Malta, under constant barrage from Italy and Germany, catipulates, the Mediterranean becomes an Axis Lake. 

 

The US continues supporting the UK but Japan’s atrocities in Hawaiian islands see political passion aim at Japan first. Germany does not declare war on the US. 

 

Soviet Russia invaded China, joining the Axis in 1942, sending hoards of men to the edge of their nation to blockade and US footbridge near Alaska. Hitler had flown to Moscow that year, seeing nothing he wanted, Living room could be achieved elsewhere. 

 

The buildup begins to defeat Japan but the Royal Navy struggles to keep trade lanes open, their vast armies of the commonwealth now in India having been blocked from returning home and not strong enough to force the return to Australia. 

 

Tirpiz, and the aircraft carrier Graf Zeppelin attempt to strangle the trade routes to the UK,  decimating undefended or poorly defended convoys with air power and Uboats. The new Aircraft carrier Peter Strasser comes online and with the pocket battleships Hipper and Scarnhorst,  England is incredibly isolated. US escort carrier pilots now face elite multiple aces from the Luftwaffe. 

 

Summer, June 6, 1944, worn from continuous operations in the North Sea, DKM Graf Zeppelin, Along with the other carriers, Elbe (ex passenger ship Potsdam), Seydlitz , Peter Strasser and Gneiseau, prepare to send a hoard of near obsolete Ju 97’s to sink the last British aircraft carriers as they return to try and block Sealion 2, with BF109T’s for top coverage. 

 

And it starts

 

[RGL]

The kit, extra planes and replacement anchors, extra life rafts, range finders (not included) and a metal crest . Lots of PE. 

 

 

It will be the same length as Yamato but this was the tallest of all the aircraft carriers. 

 

[yvesvidal]

Yeah. This is going to be exciting. You are going to have an indigestion of PE, for sure.

 

Yves

[Old Collingwood]

Count me in  closest thing I built was Airfix 1/600  Ark Royal.   looking forward to following this.

 

OC.

[amateur]

Ah, missed this thread, I just asked you a question on the config you are going to build. You already answered it

 

Jan

[Canute]

Greg, sounds like you've been looking at Luft '46 stuff; alternative Luftwaffe aircraft that mostly were just drawing board exercises. I'll be following this one.

[RGL]

No mate, I just read a heap of alternative and in particular how it would make sense as the US would slap them silly by 44 as they (Nazi’s) would not have the resources without Sovist non intervention. 

 

Never heard of Luft ‘46, is there a reference?

[CDW]

The Mk1 set looks phenomenal. First look I've had of that set. I like the imaginary scenario.

[Canute]

Greg, this is the site I've been on: http://www.luft46.com/

 

Don't know if it's been updated lately, but it does have a lot of novel aircraft.

[BANYAN]

This will be an interesting build of a very interesting subject.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

This is a big kit. Same length as Yamato which was at the time the world’s largest battleship. 

 

Lots and lots of portholes to drill. The PE set comes with lots of porthole eyebrows but the ringlols are moulded on and really should not be needed. 

There are blueprints of the ship floating around and it probably was 80% complete before being abandoned, but it gives me a lot of leeway to invent and add. 

[RGL]

The Hangar deck/boat deck. I’m thinking of having at least one of the elevators lowered, so some internal details will have to be fabricated 

[knightyo]

Greg, are you going to incorporate any lighting?  That could help show off some of the internals....

 

Alan

[RGL]

I don't think so, there would only be the tiniest glimpse of the internal hangars anyways.

[RGL]

Nearly 900 portholes. All drilled out. 

[BANYAN]

.... and how many drill bits  

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

Only broke 1!!!!

[popeye the sailor]

the start of a great project Greg........the port holes look so well drilled.  do you use any type of reamer to take the edge off the drillings?  when I drill holes like that,  sometimes they seem to show a raised edge...even when using a new bit.  look forward in seeing more   

[RGL]

They were recessed quite nicely so they drilled quite nicely, with no burring. German efficiency saving on light bulbs I believe as that’s a lot of holes in a hull. 

[popeye the sailor]

the plastic looks thin.......that might save the depth perception problem that most kits have

[RGL]

the plastic is quite thick. By the time I get a first layer of primer on. I can draw some armour panels on then etch them into the paint. There are other kits out there that have massive raised panel lines which in real life would be 15cm or about 5in high . 

[RGL]

bit of background detailing for the boat decks. The vents come with the upgrade, the rest is scratch. The winches and glad it’s are yet to be done. 

[RGL]

As this is the starboard side, it is taken up with a lot of uptakes for the stack. It’s quite nice to do a bit of scratch building again, that no one will ever see. 

[BANYAN]

The detailing on this one is going to keep you busy mate; nice scratch work on the additional detail in the boat spaces.

 

cheers

 

Pat

[RGL]

Thanks Pat, the Port side done. Davits and cable reels to go, but I’ll add them when the hull is painted as they will jut out from the hull. 

[RGL]

The hangar deck. There are three elevators, so I thought I’d have one half way up with an aircraft and park some more inside. Added a few interior details too. 

[Old Collingwood]

12 hours ago, RGL said:

Thanks Pat, the Port side done. Davits and cable reels to go, but I’ll add them when the hull is painted as they will jut out from the hull. 

Great work greg,  a quiry I have always had is about the positioning of the port holes  in most of these kits - I noticed it on my Warpy build  - they seem so close to the roofs/celings  and dont allow for space between them and the floor above.

 

OC.

[lmagna]

That is one way to hide a Walrus scout plane. They will NEVER look for it there!

 

It is interesting, and kind of sad, that they didn't include more below decks detailing in the kit to work with.

Edited May 3, 2019 by lmagna

[RGL]

Well it was just lying around. I think if I was true to scale it would be a little deeper with2 levels. I’ll see how it goes after paint. 

[Louie da fly]

Greg, that's already looking good. I'm looking forward to another of your amazing builds.

 

By the way, what size drill bit did you use for all those holes?

 

Steven