Graf Zeppelin, 1/200, long time project

[NARSES2]

Interesting bow 

Actually, this is not the bow with which the Graf Zeppelin was originally launched. As other German warship, it was modified to a so called "Atlantic Bow" to work better in heavy seas. The Graf Zeppelin got this one after construction was resumed in 1942.

Thanks 

[nönöbär]

Step 5/140 has another part of the hull and some more support strut parts that are being installed on the lower deck. Plus the first elevator for the catapult carts (yes, the Graf Zeppelin had a crazy catapult where aircraft should be placed on carts to launch them).


Hull added. Fastening the upper screw can be a bit challenging due to the limited working space.


The lower deck


Everything combined

[nönöbär]

Step 6/140, there is another hull part (guess there will be a lot of them) and the second catapult cart lift



The construction result.


Everything combined. Unfortunately, I broke one of the struts that will later be used to separate the lower deck and flight deck. Will put this away for now and fix it later, otherwise, I guess it will break again.

[Captain Canada]

That is really cool ! Never seen something like this ( at least I don't think lol ) The HE280 will really bring her to life !

[nönöbär]

@Captain Canada : You have those subscription models here quite often, ships, trains, cars. For the ships, you get all those "classic" ones like Titanic, Bismarck or U96 (Das Boot). Seems as if it is constructed in France (at least this is where the company comes from) and made in China (where else....?).
And it will be really heavy as the hull is made form metal. So it won't swim...

So lets continue with step 7/140, again another hull part and the first of the anchor winches.



The construction result.


The hull part was a pain int the a* to add. So few space to tighten the inner screws, believe me or not, it took me 15 minutes to fasten those two screws.
 
Placing the anchor winch on the deck for testing. Anchors will later be movable with an electric motor.

[Old Wombat]

I think I'll stick to proper styrene ship model kits - this looks fa-ar too complicated!

[nönöbär]

I think I'll stick to proper styrene ship model kits - this looks fa-ar too complicated!

From the model building perspective, a normal plastic kit as we build it day by day is more complicated.
The hull parts are screwed together, the only problem is the limited space at the bow. The plastic parts are simply stick together, only a few require some super glue, but the instructions tell you where to use it. Talking about the instructions, it is a very easy step-by step instruction with a lot of pictures that you do not the typical scale modelers knowledge how to build something
For example, this step here today (one hull part and the anchor winch) had 5 steps in the instructions.

But as the model will get light, sound, electric motors and steam this will be something different. And the next step will contain some PE parts.

[nönöbär]

Step 8/140: Not so much to do here, another part of the hull is added which is only fixed with one screw. There it is still a bit loose until the upper parts are also added.

Additionally, the second anchor winch is assembled.



The construction result


Anchor winches are tested on the deck

[nönöbär]

Step 9/140 was quite a surprise, this time the set contains a tool and PE parts. Did not expect to see them on this model. No hull parts this time.

PE parts and tool


Those PE parts were "thicker" than the ones I know form 1/350 or 1/700 scale models, so they were quite tricky to cut out. But in the end all parts more or less were prepared.


Parts installed, some railings and ladders for the AA gun and the catapult cart lifts.

[Gondor]

What parts you have are starting to come together nicely 

[nönöbär]

What parts you have are starting to come together nicely 

And there are only 139 steps left to build....

[Rick Lowe]

 

[NARSES2]

What parts you have are starting to come together nicely 

They are indeed 

What parts you have are starting to come together nicely 

And there are only 139 steps left to build....

  

[nönöbär]

For this subscription model, one issue is released every week. As I started the model 15 months after its initial release, I now get a box with 4 issues each month. Usually I build one part every Sunday morning. As I will be on vacation the next weeks, I have to build more parts each week not to fall to much back.

So this time we have parts 10 and 11

Part 10/140, the second plane and some first work for the anchor mechanics.

A second Ju87 is in this part, this time a model without an electrical engine in it. And the first parts of the anchor mechanisms that have to be installed below the lower deck.

The part of this issue:


Aircraft assembled:


The gearbox housing added below the deck


All aircraft so far:


I said that I want to try to make some He280T additionally. So here are the first two test models. The green one has some wheels, which worked quite good but had some issues being printed. But I think it will work


And here is part 11/140: Another hull part and the first anchor chain.


Hull part added and the anchor chain installed


The model so far:

[NARSES2]

He 280T with wheels looks good 

Have a good holiday