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SMS Von der Tann

Here it is, my third model for the 100 years anniversary of the Battle of Jutland. Rather spontaneously I decided to build the Von der Tann from Kombrig.

SMS Von der Tann

The Von der Tann was the first battlecruiser which was built in Germany. It was still called a Großer Kreuzer but the Germans took the British idea and built a fast ship with, although lighter armor than a battleship but with its armament. A big issue was the question of how weak should be the armor. Very weak but very fast ship as the British? Or more heavily armored to fight with the battleships in the line? They opted for the latter course, but didn't ignore the need for high speed.

Von der Tann was built in the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg. The launch was in 20 March 1909. Ready for service in the fleet she was in September 1, 1911. During tests the Von der Tann reached a speed of 28.124 knots and was the fastest capital ship at the time. The first trip for the cruiser went to South America, visiting Brazil and Argentina. After returning to Germany, she was assigned to the reconnaissance group.

This was the first time a German capital ship received a turbine drive. Compared to the previous ship, the Blücher, number of towers has been reduced from six to four. However, builders took the 28 cm guns from Germany's first Dreadnought ships, the Nassau class. This configuration was also kept for the following 3 cruisers. Compared to the first battlecruiser, the Invincible class, she was the more heavily armored, faster and with greater second s artillery, 10 pieces 15 cm SK, equipped. However, the Invincible had 30.5 cm guns, a considerably larger caliber. But this did not matter, since the German shells had more penetration power.

The Build

The kit is a resin model of the company Kombrig. The simple structure of the original is also found in the kit again. Therefore, the construction was flawless. Etched parts are included with this kit. For me even double as both boards had slight damage, but both gave a complete set plus a few spares. When possible. I used ladders from Flyhawk. Only on the compass bridge there it was very close. So I took accompanying ladders.

The model is painted with Lifecolor colors for the hull and Vallejo for the deck and details. As an accessory, I took the 28 cm and 15 cm guns from NNT. The railing came partly from Flyhawk and some from Lion Roar. The rigging was completed with Rig that Thing from Uschi van der Rosten and the triangles for the antennas where made this time with 0.06mm wire from Shelf Oddity. Now for the first time I am satisfied with it. The water was made with the Water Effects from Vallejo. But this time I have applied the first layers diluted. This brought a even more depth effect.

I hope you like it. And perhaps to shock you, the pot was built within one month!
Model Shipwrights would like to thank Christian Hoeltge for his feature contribution of his SMS Von der Tann!