Graf Zeppelin, 1/200, long time project

[Rick Lowe]

and smoke when done.

From the bomb/torpedo hits?? 

[NARSES2]

I just have to find a way to tell the GF that the model has to be there where I have planned it to be....

You'll probably find that the final edition has a "how to explain to the wife/GF where you intend to put the finished kit" and a list of local hotels and B&B's 

[zenrat]

...every four weeks, I get a package with four editions in it. So I build one every sunday morning, a relaxing build after getting a coffee in the morning...

I admire your self control.   

[Rick Lowe]

I just have to find a way to tell the GF that the model has to be there where I have planned it to be....

You'll probably find that the final edition has a "how to explain to the wife/GF where you intend to put the finished kit" and a list of local hotels and B&B's 

Or a 'How to sneak the thing indoors past the Wife/GF...' 

[nönöbär]

Step 26/140 adds the second, non fuctional catapult

The second catapult is non functional. In addition, some smaller parts for the deck and catapult are added.

Step 26 parts:



Step 26 completed:


Step 26 aircraft on catapult.:



The Graf Zeppelin had a quite strange catapult mechanism. Aircraft had to be mounted on a cart, similar to the catapults on a cruiser or a battleship. I guess this would not have seppd up launch operations.

[Rick Lowe]

Similar to the CAM-Ship Hurricanes, then. Except theirs were full of rockets for the launch as they weren't actually catapults...
So not really that similar... 

I'll go back to just watching, shall I? 

[nönöbär]

Step 27/140 the lat parts for the catapluts and another Ju 87.

This step has soem (removable) cover for the second, non-moving catapult. And another Ju 87 model, making it the 4th now.

Step 27 parts:



Step 27 completed:


Step 27 all aircraft so far:



From what I could so, the next steps will be focus on the forward 15 guns.

[PR19_Kit]

Why would they need a cover for a catapult? 

[Gondor]

Why would they need a cover for a catapult? 

So that less weather can get at the moving parts when it's not in use. It's also typical over-engineering for the time.

[PR19_Kit]

Neither the RN nor the USN had covers on their catapults and they seemed to work quite well.

[nönöbär]

But did the RN or USN had this catapult card mechanism? Don't think so. Keep in mind that the Kriegsmarine had no experience with carriers at this time as the Graf Zeppelin was the first one. So I guess due to the lack of experience, they had choosen some solutions that were not so practical in usage.

[nönöbär]

Step 28/140 starts with something new, the forward 15cm guns.

Those guns can later mode and "fire", so some LEDs are blinking in them.
In this stel the hull part and basic move mechansim is added.

The Graf Zeppelin was one of the few carriers with "big" guns, I only think that Lexington and Saratoga had some cruiser like guns as well.

Step 28 parts:



Step 28 completed:


Step 28 hull test

[Captain Canada]

Wild. The AC on the catapult looks great.

[nönöbär]

Now that 20% of the model is completed, there are only 112 steps missing.

Step 29/140 The first 15cm guns.

The guns are mounted in the turrets and connected to the moving mechanism. Unfourtunally they cannot be moved individually, but only all for or them simulataniously. Not very realistic. Will have to see how this looks in a few steps, when this construction sequence is done.

Step 29 parts:



Step 29 completed:


Step 29 hull test

[Old Wombat]

In English those would be "casemates", not turrets.

HMS Queen Elizabeth 1915 - note the casemates below the main deck;


HMS Queen Elizabeth ca. 1943 - note the (low) turrets on the new deck above where the casemates were;


But that's just me being pedantic.