The KMS Graf Zeppelin

[Kojack]

This is a link to a very interesting story. It's one of a rarely known feat almost accomplished by Nazi Germany. They planned on constructing up to four aircraft carriers. The only one that ever began construction was the 'KMS Graf Zeppelin'. She was only 80% done before the idea was scrapped (never had Hitler's full backing) and it became a floating wharehouse for U-boat parts. Interesting article on what could have been. I was even thinking this would be a perfect centerpiece for another 'Alpenfustag(sp?)' type of map, where we'd let go of taught history and have fun with some secret weapons xD.

Anyway, thought you guys would be interested in the full article, so here's the link. I've always loved FH, been around since .5(Type :s. had .4 when I meant to say .5). Never got the chance to sign up to the forums though :/. I was busy with the PoE community. Love what you guys are doing here, Fh rocks beyond comprehension. I'd also like to give a shout out to the FH dev Augustus, former PoE dev, you talented aussie you! ...

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=434#more-434

Cheers everyone,
kojack

[Frenkan]

Was aware that the Germans were planning on building aircraft carriers but that's pretty much all I know about it so I'm definitely going to read that article. Thanks for the heads-up.

Btw, was there a FH 0.4? I began playing when 0.5 was their latest release and I had the impression that that was their first release, public release anyway.

[MrFancypants]

Interesting article. Makes you wonder what a German carrier could have done to Allied shipping, especially if protected by fast cruisers or battleships.
But I guess concentrating on submarines wasn't such a bad idea if you consider how many battleships, cruisers and aircraft-carriers the Royal Navy could throw into a fight against the Graf Zeppelin.

[{TDB} Bravowhisky]

The Graf Zeppelin was eventually to be part of the surface fleet built under the Z-plan. I'm not positive, but the fleet wasn't intended to be used for merchant raiding and wouldn't not be ready until between 1943-1946. I think the higher ups were hoping that the British would stay out of the war until then at which point the new Kriegsmarine fleet would be able to take on the aging Royal Navy (Hell, it took the Home Fleet from Scapa Flow and part of Force H from Gibralter to get the Bizmarck, imagine a fleet built around them).

Though I don't believe the building of a fleet of that size possible in the few years from when the Z-plan was launch in 1937. The German industry would not have been able to handle all three arms of the German war machine.

[oscar989]

Yup, they even built a special folding wing aircraft for their carrier called the Fi 167, Ju-87 C, and Bf-109T.