Graf Zeppelin

[mike3121]

Here are links to my recently completed 3D model of the Graf Zeppelin.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/mike_w123/GrafZeppelin-PIC-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/mike_w123/GrafZeppelin-PIC-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/mike_w123/GrafZeppelin-PIC-3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/mike_w123/GrafZeppelin-PIC-4.jpg

[Blaydon]

I like it, a few stukas would be nice as well.

[CGRET]

Good Job! I would echo kev comments.

Regards
Charles

[designeraccd]

About how long did it take to "model", and what SOFTWARE did you use? Looks nice...........DFO :D

[mike3121]

It took me, say, three weeks. However, I've made a number of pre-made items that I just need to add to the ship. Things like lifeboats, I made a number of them and just add them when needed. Same for Bofors, 88mm AA, etc.

I design and create the ship in Rhino 4.0. It's actually a ship building 3D software program. I use Ultimate Unwrap 3D to UV map it. The UV map is painted in PhotoShop. I also have Deep Paint 3D to paint some things in 3D mode.

I use Maya to create smoke and ocean effects. I also have GeoControl to create landscape.

I'm a retired draftsman (AutoCAD and Microstation) so some of this comes easy to me.

[Tiornu]

It's weird to see those twin casemate guns, isn't it?

[Blaydon]

More like twin turrets just mounted on platforms, not casemates in the old way.

[Tiornu]

They're your garden-variety casemates, just like any other except that they're twins. There's an amusing tale associated with them that illustrates the ship's slapstick design process. The specs called for eight 15cm guns in casemates, so designers set about including eight casemate mounts. Then someone suggested saving weight and space by consolidating the eight guns into twin mounts. The suggestion was approved, but somehow the message got mangled. They switched to twin casemates but retained all eight mounts. Not a good way to save weight. No one ever got around to providing ammo space for the eight new guns, nor accommodations for the additional gun crews. Woops.

[Blaydon]

Does sound like a bit of a catastrophe definitely not normal tutonic efficiency:D

[Tiornu]

The KM design bureau was not the most gifted, and it was attempting an entirely new and specialized concept with little input from anyone with experience. I don't see this as a recipe for success.

[Blaydon]

And from your information it would seem to have a complete lack of oversight and supervision.

[barryp]

According to M.J. Whitley's letter to the old Warship magazine, the secondary armament was increased after exercises demonstrated that modern destroyers could successfully attack capital ships, so the story about the twinning of the casemate guns being a mistake is a myth.

[MelQuick]

Hi

Terrific stuff.

Wasn't her projected sister ship to be called Peter Strasser?

Mel

[steve roberts]

Hi Mel.Yes that was her sister ships original name,later rumoured to have been renamed "Hindenburg" if they had ever got round to starting to build her!.
Regards Steve.

[MelQuick]

Steve

Thanks for that.

Mel