‘Flugzeugträger A’ Zeppelin class aircraft carrier GRAF ZEPPELIN was the German Kriegsmarine’s only aircraft carrier of a planned fleet of four to have been built. With a displacement of more than 33,500 tons, the hull was laid down on December 28, 1936, at Deutsche Werke in Kiel.
A combination of disputes between the Kriegsmarine and German Air Force, the subsequent outbreak of World War II, and Hitler's decision to divert a large part of the Navy's funds to the development of submarines led to the construction of the carrier being shelved in 1940. Work resumed in 1942 but was cancelled again in 1943 and never completed.
In order to avoid the partially finished ship falling to Soviet forces, GRAF ZEPPELIN was scuttled off the Polish coast on April 25, 1945. It was captured by the Soviets and raised, perhaps for target practice, before sinking again two years later, in 1947.
The wreck of GRAF ZEPPELIN was discovered in July 2006 by a Polish oil company survey vessel.
- Scale: 1/700
- Item Type: Plastic Model Warship Kit
- Model Brief:
- Length: 375mm
- Beam: 45mm
- Total Parts: 380+
- Photo Etched Parts: 1 piece
- Total Sprues: 18 sprues and deck
- Released Date: 2017-09
- More Features:
- Hull is split into two parts
- Contains display stand and engraved name plate
- Photo-Etched parts included
- Aircraft Wing includes: Ar-195, Bf-109, Fi-167, Ju-87
- Hull is split into two parts