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DKM Graf Zeppelin Upgrades (53204 & 53205 for Trumpeter 1:350)


Mike

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DKM Graf Zeppelin Upgrades (53204 & 53205 for Trumpeter)

1:350 Eduard

 

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The Graf Zeppelin was one of those almost projects from Nazi Germany, who beforehand had dismissed aircraft carriers, and never fully committed to the concept even during construction.  Coupled with the loss of some of their important maritime assets and their lack of native coastline the Zeppelin was shelved, moved and finally abandoned before war's end, which possible gives part of the impetus to those that wonder what would have been.  There have been few kits over the years, until Trumpeter gave us their new tooling recently, and now we have Eduard producing their usual raft of sets to improve the detail over and above what's in the box.

 

As usual with Eduard's Photo-Etch (PE) and Mask sets, they arrive in a flat resealable ziplok package, with a white backing card protecting the contents and the instructions that are sandwiched between.

 

Part 1 – Deck & Cranes (53204)

This two sheet set contains eight replacement cranes, which replaced the simplified parts included in the kit, and you will need lengths of 1mm and 0.5mm rod to hand to complete construction of the new assemblies.  The underside of the round-down is trimmed and additional ribs and stringers are added to improve accuracy, while at the bow end (pointy bit) the moulded-in catapults are removed and replaced by a complex and rather impressive new assembly, which includes a skin under the deck to support the catapults, which requires removal of the moulded-in ribs, which are later replaced by more detailed and in-scale new parts.  The catapult tracks are highly detailed, with cross-braces and guides all depicted, plus dozens of detail parts for the trackway that surrounds it.

 

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Various other assemblies are built up, some of which also require 1mm and 0.8mm rod, including cable reels on the stern, tons of deck stiffeners around the weapons casemates, deck mounted net frames, the nets at the forward end of the deck to prevent crew going in the oggin, and a few small platforms that were otherwise missing.


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Part 2 – Railings (53205)

This set contains a literal boat-load (well, ship-load) of railings, some that replace the kit railings, but also new parts, walkway skins, and bracing under platforms in the shape of perforated ribs and some straight strips, all of which is laid out in easy-to-follow diagrams to ensure you don't mess up.  Not much else to say really!

 

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Review sample courtesy of

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