History:
The S.M.S Tann was the first German battlecruiser.
She was launched at the March 20th, 1909 at the Blohm & Voss Ship in Hamburg, Germany and entered into service September 1st, 1910. She was the first German Navy ship using large turbines and became the fastest large Battleship in her time.
She was Germany's answer to the battlecruiser Invincible she was viewed with much interest by the British. She completely outclassed Invincible; regarding armour protection in all areas She was engaged in Battles of the First World War and sank the British battlecruiser Indefatigable in the Skagerrak Battle in about twelve minutes, but was also heavily damaged in this battle and all her main guns were disabled by two 15 inch and two 13.5 inch hits.
She was surrendered with the rest of the German Fleet in November 1918 and she was scuttled at Scapa Flow on June 21, 1919. She was raised in 1930 and scrapped at Rosyth during 1931-34.
The Model:
The Von der Tann is a battlecruiser and combines therefore the slenderness of a cruiser with the might of a battleship, which makes a very attractive silhouette. The Model is well designed by Markus Wiekowski as well as the instructions by Peter Brandt. It is published by Hamburger Modellbaubogen Verlag and distributed by Scheuer and Struever, Hamburg. The printing quality is high and the colors and effects are well done. The model represent the ship at the time of launch in 1910. It is classified as very difficult to built and some experience in paper modeling is definitely required. The model has 2401 parts. The model can be upgrade with a photo-etch set, which I used in the construction of this model. This is a waterline model.
The Kit:
The Scale of the model is 1: 250. The kit consist of 24 pages 8
1/4 x 12 inch. The instruction consists of 39 diagrams,
which are mostly sufficient in constructing the model, and a general
introduction in German and English language. A separate diagram for the rigging
does not exist and is included in the constructions diagrams, which makes it
difficult to figure out the exact details. I found this a problem with most
models I build and it would be nice if better rigging diagrams would be
available. It would also help to have marks for the access points on the deck or
mast.
The construction according to the diagram does not always follow consecutive numbers of the parts, which makes it more difficult to ensure that no part is missed. When you find out what is left it might be too late. The construction following consecutive number is an additional control during the construction and would be desirable if HMW could correct this in the future.
The photo-etch set comes with two pages of instructions in diagram form and is great tool to add details to the model.
View Diagonal to the Backboard Side
Front part from Starboard Side
View from port side to the Bridge and first stack
Middle Ship - Life Boats
View diagonal from back to port side
View from back to starboard Side
View to the back with rigging
Conclusion:
I can recommend to the model if you are looking for very detailed model and have patience to built. The photo etch set will help to bring more realism to the model.
Summary:
| Model: | S.M.S Von der Tann |
| Kit: | Hambuger Modellbau Verlag (HMV) |
| Designers: | Markus Wiekowski Peter Brandt |
| Scale: | 1:250 |
| Difficulty: | very difficult |
| Number of Parts: | 2401 |
| Instructions: | Only general instructions in German and English |
| Diagrams: | 39 very good diagrams. Some minor indications missing |
| Fit: | Very good. |
| Coloring and Artwork: | Excellent |
| Printing: | Very good printing. Precise registration |
| Resources: | Webpages |
