Casemate DKM Battlecruiser Gneisenau, Super Drawings in 3D

[Shar2]

DKM Battlecruiser Gneisenau

Kagero Super Drawings in 3D

Gneisenau was ordered as Ersatz Hessen as a replacement for the old pre-dreadnought Hessen, under the contract name "E." The Deutsche Werke in Kiel was awarded the contract, where the keel was laid on 6 May 1935. The ship was launched on 8 December 1936, after which fitting-out out work was begun. The ship was completed in May 1938 and commissioned for sea trials on the 21st, under the command of Kapitän zur See (KzS) Erich Förste. The trials revealed a dangerous tendency to ship considerable amounts of water in heavy seas. This caused flooding in the bow and damaged electrical systems in the forward gun turret. As a result, she went back to the dockyard for extensive modification of the bow. The original straight stem was replaced with a raised "Atlantic bow." A diagonal cap was fitted to the smoke stack to keep the main mast free of smoke. The modifications were completed by September 1939, by which time the ship was finally fully operational.

Gneisenau displaced 32,100 long tons (32,600 t) as built and 38,100 long tons (38,700 t) fully loaded, with a length of 234.9 m (771 ft), a beam of 30 m (98 ft) and a maximum draft of 9.9 m (32 ft). She was powered by three Germania geared steam turbines, which developed a total of 165,930 shaft horsepower (123,730 kW) and yielded a maximum speed of 31.3 knots, (58.0 km/h) on speed trials. Her standard crew numbered 56 officers and 1,613 enlisted men, though during the war this was augmented up to 60 officers and 1,780 men. While serving as a squadron flagship, Gneisenau carried an additional ten officers and 61 enlisted men.

She was armed with nine 28 cm (11.1 in) L/54.5 guns arranged in three triple gun turrets: two superfiring turrets forward—Anton and Bruno—and one aft—Caesar. Her secondary armament consisted of twelve 15 cm (5.9 in) L/55 guns, fourteen 10.5 cm (4.1 in) L/65 and sixteen 3.7 cm (1.5 in) L/83, and initially ten 2 cm (0.79 in) anti-aircraft guns. The number of 2 cm guns was eventually increased to thirty-eight. Six 53.3 cm (21.0 in) above-water torpedo tubes, taken from the light cruisers Nürnberg and Leipzig, were installed in 1942.

This is the latest book in Kageros series in 3D format with the first ten pages describing the design, construction, armament, and general characteristics, along with the ships operational history and eventual demise. The rest of the book is filled with the highly detailed 3D renderings these books have become renowned for, covering every part of the main decks, superstructure, armament, fixtures and fittings. As usual the drawings are beautifully done with some excellent views for us modellers in showing items you wouldn’t normally notice, or even see. The colour schemes are also noteworthy in that they show the different coloured turret tops depending on which operation she was involved with. Included with the book are two pull out double sided sheets, with line drawings of various ships equipment in 1:100 and 1:350 on one sheet, plus front and rear views in 1:350 scale on the other, with further details in 1:350 on its reverse. This issue also comes with a full colour A3 poster with the ships plan views on one side and the three quarter view on the other along with further detailed drawings of various pieces of equipment.

Conclusion
This is another great addition to the series. Although this one doesn’t match a particular ship model, as the only kits released are in 1:700 and 1:400, but it could be a very useful reference point for those modellers who wish to convert the Dragon 1:350 Scharnhorst to Gneisenau’s configuration. Very highly recommended.

Review sample courtesy of

[colin]

Very nice review Dave, hope they bring out a IJN Nagato in the near future