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Description
DURING THE COURSE OF MAKING THIS ADVERT AND LOOKING AT THE PHOTOS AND DESCRIPTIONS IN KOOP AND SCHMOLKE'S BOOK - ESPECIALLY THE PHOTO OF THE HEELING OF THE BOATS IN A SWELL - DESCRIBED IN THE BOOK AS BEING UP TO 50 DEGREES - AND NOTING THAT EVEN THE ENGINEER IN ONE OF THE BOATS WAS WASHED OVERBOARD IN THE NORMAL COURSE OF HIS DUTIES - ONE BECOMES AWARE OF JUST HOW BIG OF A FAILING THE TYPE 1934 DESTROYERS WERE. (UPON WHICH SUBSEQUENT MODELS WERE ALL BASED). IT THEN SUBSEQUENTLY HITS ONE THAT THIS MODEL - WITH ITS LACK OF BILGE KEELS, HIGH AND HEAVY PRIMARY GUNS (AND HEAVY AMMUNITION FOR THAT MATTER) WAS NOT REALLY A MODEL MADE UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS OF DUE DILIGENCE ON THE PART OF IT'S MAKERS. AND MOREOVER - THE FAILINGS OF THIS VERY MODEL, ALMOST UNBELIEVABLY, AS FOR SALE HERE,....HOWEVER UNLIKELY THAT SEEMS, WERE TRANSLATED BY ENGINEERS AND BUILDER'S INTO AN ACTUAL FLEET OF DESTROYERS.
UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES THE BUILDER'S WOULD GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AFTER THE PRODUCTION OF ONE OF THESE SHIPS. - ITS BASIC INSTABILITY WOULD BE APPARENT IN TANK TESTING -. THE ONLY EXPLANATION OF THIS IS THAT THEY WERE PLACED UNDER HUGE PRESSURE TO PRODUCE SUCH A DESIGN AND MODEL WHICH WOULD SATISFY HITLER'S VISION AT THE START OF HIS ASCENT TO POWER IN 1933. SUCH AN IMPACT, THIS MODEL WOULD HAVE MADE AS A 'CONCEPT MODEL' -THAT HITLER HIMSELF WOULD HAVE ABSORBED IT INTO HIS OWN CONCEPT - AS HEAD OF THE NAVY - ALBEIT THAT HE WAS NOT QUALIFIED TO BE SUCH - OF HIS 1000 YEAR REICH.
THE BUILDER'S WOULD HAVE NO OPTION SUBSEQUENTLY BUT TO DELIVER THE CONCEPT - HITLER'S DREAM , IN ITS FINAL FORM, AS THE CONCEPT MODEL IS HERE MANIFEST.. THUS - THIS, THE ORIGINAL CONCEPT MODEL, BECAME THE BUILDER'S MODEL AND THE ACTUAL SHIPS WERE CLEARLY REVERSED ENGINEERED FROM THIS VERY MODEL. Perhaps driven by a belief on the part of its makers in German engineering, that they could make or engineer the concept to work. However, the model as it is presented here - making it evident that the engineers lacked the necessary experience of warship design. British warships were not so much engineered as the product of evolution in the inter-war years. The reality of destroyers being that they were too complex to design from scratch in the absence of computers. THUS CORNERS WOULD BE CUT IN THE DESIGN STAGE and engineers would be left with the task of designing all the ship's systems to fit in this model. TO DELIVER HITLERS DREAM. ........ The result manifest at Narvik .
AFTER NARVIK - THE MODEL - if it was still around - WOULD JUST BE A DANGEROUS EMBARRASSMENT TO ITS MAKERS AND SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS - PERHAPS DEMOTED TO THE BOTTOM SHELF,.......NOT A MODEL THAT ANY OF HITLER'S NAVAL ARCHITECTS WOULD WANT TO OWN UP TO....HENCE IT FINDS ITSELF HERE.! (actually as described below, before Narvic, it, in all probability became the property - and 'liability' of Friedrich Bonte himself personally - as a newly promoted 'FdZ' (Fuhrer Der Zerstorer) in 1939 and commander during the battle of Narvic - where he died)
(perhaps the title itself created to divert responsibility for a clearly flawed design (well known by 1939) from Hitler himself)
The model, incredibly, this very model, in all likelihood, coming with the job - together with the public responsibility for the disastrous design...........................a real 'hot potato'.......... But luckily soon buried beneath the sheen of Bonte's bravery.
After Bonte's death at Narvik - the model would thus enter private hands. (appropriately out of Hitler's sight)
Which ever way you look at this boat - it is unique as the only builder's and concept model of Hitler's destroyer fleet in existence or that ever existed. It is easy to identify as such. Testament to this are the cast and plated brass parts - the plating now worn - and their, and the boat's accuracy of dimension, as evidenced directly by comparison with plans - available now - but were secret at the time of the model's building - as shown above. (note in this respect the increased thickness of the forward part of the gun shield on the model (below) which was typical of earlier 15cm guns (not used on these destroyers) - however this was dropped in actual manufacture for a uniform thickness all round - in all probability realizing that the guns were too heavy). The age of the boat is attested to by the extreme craquelure in the paint. The method of construction is typical of builder's models of the 30's, both the plated and cast parts and the sandwich made wooden hull and detailed complex cast propellers and their stanchions, as shown by comparison to the real propellers in photographs of the time (above). Even after the war, plans of the boats - where they existed - would not be made generally available for many years. The fact of it's 1/100th scale might attest to its desired rapidity of construction - in order to accommodate Hitler's immediate demand for a navy in 1933 - of which he could be in direct control. As the main implement of his world plan - his 1000 year Reich.
It follows that, the model itself was pivotal to Hitler's own thinking as personal head or 'controller' of the navy (he was not so influential in respect of the army or air-force) from the time the model was made, highly probably in 1933, until the Battle of Narvic in 1940, when it's operational design failings in its first combat engagement became overtly and catastrophically apparent.
Thus this model itself - studied by Hitler (as a lay person in destroyer design - but who paid great attention to models - which contributed greatly to his vision of a 1000 year Reich) - would have influenced and indeed formed his planning for, and direction of, World War 2.
Indeed it is clear that Hitler was personally controlling the navy because he believed in 1933 that it would be the means to world domination through control of trade. Placing this model itself - in 1933 - exactly at center stage in his dream of a 1000 year Reich. It is a tangible manifestation and relic of Hitler's dream of world domination.
Paradoxically - and on top of this, also speaking volumes for the current value of the model....It is clear that any qualified naval architect from the period could have identified the instability of the design.... from this model alone. (The lay person can see it) Clearly the topmost guns - massive chunks of steel (each 10 tons - as per the drawings above) would cause such a long thin hull to roll - at best making it unsuitable as a weapons platform. (In fact, on its way to its first action at Narvic, men were lost overboard from many of its class - simply due to it's roll in a swell - as shown in the above photograph - where there is clearly a lack of white water and yet the boat is still heeling dangerously for the crew - who are trying to stop ammunition rolling overboard (the shells for the guns each weighing 60lbs as opposed to the British 4.7 inch guns 40lbs) (the railings actually gave way on the way to Narvic without any shells stacked against them). Thus the basic instability was added to by the need to store 30kg shells on the gun decks whilst in action as demonstrated in the photo above. But Hitler was not qualified - he knew nothing of ship design - despite wishing to personally control the Navy -- and clearly in 1933 demanded a destroyer fleet that was fast and heavily armed - to match the operational capability of his fast capital ships - which were also being developed.. Likewise - it appears from the giant swastika on the deck of the destroyers at Narvic (shown) - that camouflage - as appears in the dark grey dot pattern on the decks of this 'builder's model', was not high in Hitler's thinking in regard to these destroyers. (notice also the use of a green grey on the sides of the superstructure and guns and vertical surfaces on the model). With the result evident. In Hitler's mind - perhaps he had thought that he had won the war before it had started and his destroyers were merely a projection of his power / ego, rather than a target - as proved to be the case.
As a consequence of this lack of critical appraisal at the 'builder's model' level (this model) -The battle of Narvic would burst Hitler's vision - built up by and upon this very model (and others - see image below) for over 7 years and as a consequence leading him to abandon operation 'Sea-lion' - the invasion of Britain. This very model then - in the right hands - would have pointed to design failings rather than being used unquestioningly as a template for the final design. The design and final engineered ship was clearly produced to satisfy Hitler's early vision of a navy which could dominate world trade.
One could surmise - that in all probability, this model itself pre-dated any detailed plans to build the boat. Such were its design failings that the model provided a vision which Hitler would push through to manufacture. All of that time - until Narvic - Hitler and the Nazi party would be kept happy and its designers would not be in concentration camps.
Thus the number 21 on the side of this actual boat model, unbeknownst to it's participants, even until now with its discovery and revelation in this advertisement, other than Hitler's Reich,............ in 1933, .......marked the start of World War 2.
One would point out that if there was another builder's model of a Type 1934 destroyer in existence - there would be a picture of it in one of 3 excellent books about German destroyers between 1934 and 1945 by Harnack and by Koop & Schmolke and by Whitley which claim to be the most accurate records of these boats. However, given the above - there would be no need or desire for another builder's model, as it appears from the failed outcome of the design, that Hitler (who was unqualified to judge - but liked models) himself must have been pleased with this model. In actual fact - the model would become more than an embarrassment to the builder's of the actual ships and somewhat of an anchor in respect of design.
It would be nice to make a 3D reconstruction of the model with laser printing and complete it.
In a way - it's quite scary how the photos of the real boats show detail exactly the same as this model, as shown in the final images above from 1937. (look at the duct-work behind the forward funnel. And the horizontal slats behind the base of the funnels are of a different width between the forward and rear funnel - and look at the arrangement of lockers along the superstructure adjacent the rear torpedo tubes on Paul Jacobi) etc.. Also note that the model itself is a feat of engineering. The gun turret - despite its complexity of form - in brass - is exactly to 1/100th scale, - as seen above -by comparison to an original drawing of the manufactured turret from 1934 (note it is marked Geheim!.... Secret). (the original plans for its construction should have been earlier but it is now becoming clear that the guns themselves had not been designed at the time this model was made, the original drawings for them as seen in Harnack's book from 1934 themselves just a concept which would fit this concept model - the detail of the guns in actual fact missing from those drawings.) . And the forward plate of the turret is substantially thicker than the sides. (as would have been the plan in 1933 when the existing 15cm guns at the time used this arrangement - although it was dropped on the production of the actual boats). This detail drags the model firmly back through history to its era and the circumstances and zeitgeist of its construction and to those actual boats (which did not survive because of the design failings revealed by the model). And one can feel the model's significance and taste the role, it , itself, actually played in world war 2. (from its outbreak - in Hitler's mind - and therefore - history now tells through this model - in reality - in 1933) ....As though a time machine.
Given the significance of this very model - as described here - with its discovery and revelation - for the first time - - one might wish to build from scratch a 'type 1934' destroyer as a heritage monument to world war 2 - and this would be a significant cornerstone of the build. And, just as it was Hitler's Builder's Model, - so it would be your builder's model. It would be a monument to both victory and defeat - as the design failed and as a consequence - as explained below - Hitler never invaded Britain. Thus - this model itself - both as a physical manifestation of Hitler's thinking - and subsequently a physical object which would shape Hitler's thinking, planning and indeed his subsequent actions - as an important and key component of his 1000 year Reich - if you like, an early jewel in it's crown - bore direct and tangible influence in the start, finish and course of World War 2. The fine detail of the model shows, when combined with the bigger picture - as described below - that as early as 1933, it's intention was to be the teeth of 'operation Sea-lion' - the plan to invade Britain.
At a very simple level, If Bismarck and Tirpitz and his other capital ships had destroyers capable of escorting them in the Atlantic - the war would have had a different outcome. Not withstanding the fact that the design as it is seen for the first time in this model, failed - and 10 of the 21 that started WW2 were sunk in 2 days at Narvic in 1940 by more highly evolved fighting ships. (The British having learned by 1918 and as manifest in their design of the W-class destroyers with flared and raked bows - that buoyancy in waves restricted the dimensions, weight distribution and payload of destroyers). The failing of the design as seen in this model (with its lack of flared bow combined with a narrow beam etc (the ships could not carry enough ammunition or fuel to be effective and ran out of both at Narvic), led Hitler - as head of the Navy, who as evidenced from the detail of this particular and actual model, had planned his world domination from the outset in 1933, to cancel his plans for the expansion of the surface fleet and indeed the invasion of Britain, "Operation Sea Lion". The lion had had its teeth removed. Had the destroyers had sufficient range, they might not have even been at Narvic - but their flawed operational design limitations restricted the assignments they could be used for. And even when restricted to an operation nearer to home waters - they still ran out of fuel and ammunition. The design was over ambitious attempting to get both speed and fire-power from the same boat on a small scale. Indeed pressure was put on its designers by the fact of the design of large fast capital ships.
This then - is no less than both Hitler's personal 'concept' and 'builder's model' of his destroyer fleet - and his war - the teeth of his 'Sea-lion' - which would number 21 at the outbreak of WW2. (no doubt the number decided by the the number needed to escort his capital ships - which would also be on stream by 1939 and also planned in 1933 ). As both a 'concept' and 'Builder's Model' it would be used by engineers, architects, weapons engineers, power engineers, military tacticians, luftwaffe pilots, U-boat commanders, warship captains etc etc as the first three dimensional representation and conceptualization of the whole ship. There were no computers in 1933.
Luftewaffe pilots could practice bombing it with 1/100th scale Hurricanes and Spitfires (silly me - in 1933 the enemy only had De Havilland and Fairey Bi-planes) . The limitations on the arcs of fire of the anti-aircraft guns could be easily visualized. etc.etc.
Indeed the engineers, architects and weapons engineers might well have been horrified by the thought that they had to fit functioning designs for their individual components into the model as it is seen here.
This thus pre-dates all the German destroyers (Zerstorers ) of WW2. It most closely resembles the first 'type 1934' German destroyers - although there are differences. (see for example the layout of the ducting on the forward funnel - which changed from this initial design (see also the last photo above to see how it appeared before the war) - and the open bridge. On this model there is just a windscreen on the bridge made of 5 individual windows of glass (one broken on this model - so here only showing 4.) I am not sure if it is supposed to be attached to the bridge or not (It is partly damaged and loose). However the 'type 1934' destroyers had a part enclosed bridge as shown in the photo above. British destroyers of the time had an open bridge - so this would have been accepted at the time the model was made - so the model as seen here was modified later during construction of the actual boat, - adding a roof and part enclosing the bridge on the final design, when the boats were themselves first laid down in 1934. (this would have been one of the uses of this model - to identify the opportunity to make practical modifications to the design (without changing Hitler's vision of it). Paul Jacobi - which bore the pennant number 21 during wartine could be recognized by its large bilge keels (not seen on this model). As a type 1934A - the bilge keels of Paul Jacobi were an unsuccessful response to the tendency of the earliest type 1934's (as the present model ) to roll excessively. Indeed - in 1942, the tops of the funnels (parts seen light grey on the present model) of the remaining destroyers were cut off to reduce top weight. Photographs above show sailors struggling to stop ammunition rolling into the sea whilst the ships rolled to 50 degrees (see Koop & Schmolke ) and numerous were lost overboard on the way to Narvic.
The immensely detailed hand painted pattern of dots on the decks of this model (I think never actually appearing on the final boats), as seen in the photos of the model - was camouflage. (see the deck of the Bernd Von Arnim above) (note that in some photos above the original dust on the model conceals the pattern) - Early German battleships used linoleum sheets on the deck (If you see my earlier listing for the battleship Bremen - I show this actually in place) and I wonder if this was still used - at least as seen here in the model planning stage of this destroyer - as these ships were - this actual ship was - designed in the vacuum that existed in warship design in Germany after the scuttling of its' fleet in 1918. Perhaps the plan in 1933, was to use linoleum deck covering. (The Americans only ditched the use of linoleum on the decks of their warships after Pearl Harbour due to its role as an accelerant in the fire). This visual pattern of dots, as camouflage, might have been envisaged to extend to those areas of the boat which required rapid drainage of the deck. So that one sees in the upper superstructure flooring on the present model, actual holes, where in other areas of a majority of the decking the dots are just a pattern on the rest of the ship. I did not see these holes on the topmost parts of the model for a long time until I looked closely. So that the holes acted both as drainage, perhaps a surface to grip, and camouflage. The pictures I have of these upper decks during the war - suggest that this pattern of holes was never used, rather the upper decks were planked. This planking is seen in the rear part of the forecastle on this model (where it would not be visible from the air). *as shown in the photo below. Perhaps this idea of drainage holes came from submarines. It would be interesting to know if submarines used this dot pattern on their topsides. Certainly - after Narkic - German destroyers adopted numerous camouflage patterns. Certainly any design detail derived from U-boats would be utilized given their success in the first world war.
I think that the forecastle on this model was originally planked - but the planks are missing. However there is a 'plank-like pattern' of residual glue in the forecastle where planks might have been originally. Thus only certain areas on the model appear to have had this 'holey' metal decking.
These holes in the flooring of the upper decks (a nightmare for the modeler) therefore might have been a design innovation of this model. Not actually used in the final build of the ships themselves. It seems likely that this pattern was not used on the decks of the finally engineered ships. The pattern of dots as seen here would have a logical rationale in terms of camouflage as colours in nature are rarely monotone, and as a consequence look different in different lights. A grey sky might be expected to pick out the greys in the camouflage whilst a blue sky would pick out the blue - the boat acquiring the colour of its background in different lighting conditions. For this reason the vertical surfaces of the model are painted a paler green grey. The paint scheme thus of more than passing significance. Perhaps the destroyer Erich Koellner in trying to ambush Warspite at Narvic might not have been spotted from the air by Warspite's scout plane, in a different paint scheme. (more than likely it did not use this proposed camouflage paint scheme) As a consequence it was sunk. Likewise a number of the German destroyers were probably sunk by their own bombers in the same battle. Perhaps they would have been invisible from the air in the paint scheme of this model. (as they were - it is evident that they were not distinguishable as German from the air, so with a better camouflage - might not have been seen from the air at all). Ironically perhaps, none of the British ships were hit by bombs from attacking German planes.
German warships were not given their final name until they were launched. They were given a code name or number whilst in design and construction - a process of which this builder's model would be a part, indeed the model itself the progenitor of the design.. (This penny has just dropped with me - I've just realized - 88 years after the event - what this code on this boat represented - that is - what Hitler's code was - and what it's meaning was - One could say - I've solved the Enigma !!!!) ........In 1933 - when Hitler came to power - he personally would have christened this model with the code number -'21'-. At the time - only he and his inner circle would know what this number meant - Hitler's naval plan was illegal in 1933 under the Versaille Treaty.). (I have previously pointed this out in my listing for the un-named 1913 Carette toy boat - which is clearly 'Imperator' despite the absence of the name on the actual toy boat. (The 'Imperator' shown with its unique figurehead on the box) The toy being made before the boat was actually launched. Similarly other German toy boats were un-named because the boat upon which they were modeled had not been launched at the time of the manufacture of the toy. Bassett Lowke - who based their toy destroyers closely on their 'Builder's models' probably did the same thing.
In retrospect - we now know what this code meant - It meant that there would come to be 21 of these destroyers in commission in 1939 - at the outbreak of World War 2. This then - in 1933 - Number '21' - was Hitler's Code - his countdown,- for his own personal World War to come - No less than 'The countdown to World War 2'. . This model is his master-plan 'made real' from the outset in 1933. .........- It is the start of the countdown to Armageddon. The clock started ticking when this paint - the actual paint on this model - on the 21 - as you see it here - was fresh. And unbelievably - here it is - still ticking on this model (you can probably still hear it ticking, as the paint continues to crack over time, if you had the facility of acoustic emission) - the same clock - after Hitler had pressed the switch. Hitler - The 'artist's' hand that had painted it -. The craquelure is still growing. Marking time.
(I only cracked this code after realizing that other German destroyers used the designation '21' - during the war. However this was used to confuse the enemy. Only the commanders would be aware of the designations of individual destroyers at the start of any particular action. The paint changed from action to action (so that the enemy could not identify the group commander). (I outline this in my previous listing of the Marklin battleship 'Bremen' which was seen in various paint schemes.This model by contrast - beyond the code number - is the first model - the mother of all subsequent destroyers. Marked by the open bridge - the anti-aircraft guns on the rear deck (one has gone missing on this model), the single rudder (the piece also missing on this model) - later models had 2 and 3 rudders (see photograph of Z24 in dry dock), the design of the stern (It was lowered on subsequent models to alter the direction of the propeller's wash ), later models subsequent to this , the type 1934s, were longer and had substantial bilge keels to stiffen and lower the center of gravity (It was found that the type 1934s were unstable with empty fuel tanks - so had to keep them half full - limiting their range to 1500 miles (a problem never solved on subsequent designs). Thus, crucially, unable to support larger battleships in the Atlantic - a key component of their original design remit (that is - if the design (based upon this model) had not been made in haste to satisfy Hitler in 1933)). The fitting of substantial bilge keels, would, on later models be an (unsuccessful) attempt to rectify this (as shown in the last drawing above of a type 1934A from Wolfgang Harnacks' book 'Zerstorer bis 1934-45')). The first Type 1934's such as this also had a near vertical bow angle. Subsequent boats gained progressively more rake to the bow and more flare to increase it's buoyancy and prevent it's habit of ducking in heavy seas, making the forward gun unusable in all but the calmest weather. However this problem was also never solved.
If ever an object was imbibed with the stamp of history - on an epic scale - with meaning - this is it - still ticking - its missing pieces and paint are a visual and tangible testament to its own travail. It is a living museum. The inspiration behind Hitler's world view. (having said this - ...with the caveat that upon reflection, some of the missing parts might have been an attempt by it's owner - possibly including Friedrich Bonte - to modify and improve the design - as the parts missing, such as the masts and elements of the bridge were in fact removed and changed on all later designs)(possibly also the torpedoes tubes (here with parts missing) - were likely continuously updated)
Interestingly, this revelation - that Hitler 's long term plan to have 21 destroyers - at the start of his war, explains why the their rout at the battle of Narvic in 1940 - by the British destroyers, was so important to Hitler. Clearly - Hitler had not planned for that - his six year plan in tatters over a matter of days, and thus it would have been a severe personal psychological blow. And clearly the reason he did not invade Britain. This actual model then, pivotal, as a design failure, (in fact - not really a design at all - just a concept which got out of hand in the unique circumstance of Hitler's rapid and all engulfing rise to power) which changed the outcome of the war and the world as we have come to know it.
The equivalent British model - would be a builder's model of the 'Victory'.......I don't know if there was a builder's model of the 'Monitor' . Perhaps there is a builder's model of a U-boat still in existence. One would doubt it.
There is no stand with this model - there are however 2 holes in the bottom where the original stand was attached. It is a typical 'builder's model' made of solid wood laminated with some steamed planks over (one had partly 'sprung' on the forward lower port side - so I glued it back to avoid further delamination and paint loss). Unique bespoke cast, machined and plated components. 119cm long by approx 11 cm wide (the beam is difficult to measure given its curvature)- scale 1/100 th. (The later 'type 1936' (based upon the 1934 design but lengthened) would be 124cm by 11.75cm to the same scale. The cast bronze propellers look like they might be a good representation of the final design - by comparison with the photo of Z24 in dry dock (Z24 having the same propellers as the first boats)- the final design representing years of development to maximize drive and minimize cavitation. There is a position for only one rudder although the rudder itself is missing. (see the extra propeller of 'Z24' in the photo above) The propeller shafts have come away from the hull although they are still solidly in place. The propellers screw into them. I discovered a picture of the actual propellers - when the ship was in dry-dock in 1943. (from the book Wolfgang Harnack - ZERSTÖRER unter Deutscher Flagge - 1934 - 1945 )
In all likelihood the weapons systems are also 'builder's models - perhaps 'concept models' for the primary guns/ fire control, torpedoes and anti-aircraft guns. (note there are some details missing on the main armament if one compares it to the level of detail on the builder's model of Bassett Lowke destroyers of the 30's which by comparison used a proven 4.7 inch gun developed in the inter-war years) It seems likely that the guns on this destroyer had not been similarly developed in Germany at the time of the model's construction given in the vacuum and absence of naval gun design in the period after the first world war. Some of the gun's turret's armor detaches and one can see that the forward facing armor of the turret is thicker than the sides. Interestingly, the torpedo tubes - appear somewhat different to the actual torpedo tubes seen in photos in the above books. I wonder, and it seems likely, that they also hadn't yet been completely designed at the time of building of the model. They were after all - being designed from scratch and were not like British torpedoes - being merely modifications of existing designs. And torpedoes were notoriously difficult to design, largely because they were difficult to make and test in large enough numbers to iteratively alter and improve the design. By comparison, the anti-aircraft guns - both single and dual are more detailed, probably an existing design or adaptation of an existing design. Interesting also then - if one considers that the torpedoes failed, when it mattered, at Narvic - believed to pass under British destroyers and also to miss Warspite whilst the destroyer/s that fired them was/were sunk. ...Another very interesting twist to this model.
The range -finders and guns rotate. I have placed a few of the loose pieces in position for the photos. The stand is just a piece of mahogany I used to prop the model up and so isn't included in the sale.
The first destroyers of Hitler's fleet - the type 1934 - were made in Kiel but the 21 ships available at the start of the war were made by a consortium of shipyards including those at Bremen.
As I understand it from the Koop et al book 'Führer der Zerstörer', ' ('Head of Destroyers') was both the title of the individual given charge of both the destroyer fleet at the start of WW2 - and who actively commanded the fleet at sea, - Friedrich Bonte) and the hierarchy of command of the destroyer fleet as an organisation. Implying that the FdZ tag on the rear deck means the model might have either been appropriated by an individual (and therefore owned by Friedrich Bonte himself and perhaps subsequent to his death at Narvic - it might have belonged to his family) or have belonged in the office of FdZ.
If it was owned personally by the Head of Destroyers. FdZ, Friedrich Bonte, (as it might well have been as by Narvic - the design itself was already becoming a bit of a 'Hot Potato' due to its failings at sea) at the start of WW2 - he was killed at Narvic - which would immediately place the model in 'no-man's land'. Either way - one can see why it was not in any way a 'prized possession' after Narvic. The boats had already been heavily modified to rectify their failings in the six years before Narvic and without success, making the model redundant in respect of it's purpose and this compounded by their demise at Narvic. New designs were more radical including removing the forward super-firing turret to reduce their top heaviness whilst at the same time increasing the buoyancy of the bow (making for less tendency to duck dive - correcting the proclivity for the swamping and immobilizing of the forward gun, and replacing it with a more sensible twin turret at deck level.) (Interesting in this respect, that British destroyers were able to mount two twin turrets forward)
It is not inconceivable that this model was indeed in the process of being dismantled - to test out modifications - before it was found in it's present state. That would in part account for some of the missing pieces. The anti-aircraft guns on the rear deck were certainly removed and replaced on the actual boats - as was the mast and bridge. Likely also the torpedoes would be modified from their original design. Bonte himself might have had ideas for the design, especially the torpedoes, as from operational experience he was previously a commander of Torpedo boats.
Interestingly - from all the above - it is apparent that the organization and office of FdZ was set up to take responsibility for the destroyer fleet away from the Fuhrer himself - who had himself instigated the design. The powers in the navy could see by 1939 that the destroyers would be a disaster - as they turned out to be. And it was good fortune for all in command, that Bonte - the man made responsible for the fleet at Narvik - the FdZ - was killed...........Or was he set up to take the fall for the team??? It's looking more likely that this model itself was owned personally by Bonte and subsequently by his family.
As an addendum to the above, one might make a guess that one of the purposes of the fully enclosed gun turrets (invoking another couple of tons each (1 ton of armour and another ton or two of mounting each as compared to British destroyers of the time) ) high up , -and so causing a basic instability, might have been to hide from Hitler the fact that the guns themselves had not been designed at the time of the building of the model. Not only was Hitler naive in respect of destroyer design - but a destroyer had not been designed in Germany since 1914. Was it a indeed case of the blind leading the blind ????? Likewise, was the thicker armour at the front of the turret (as used on first world war 15cm guns) - seen on this model in the lower picture - dropped for a constant thickness on the actual built ships - because it was simply too heavy. Would they have turned turtle with the thicker armor as shown on this model? If they heeled to 50 degrees as they were in a swell, as described in Koop's book, it wouldn't have taken much more weight up top to capsize them. This idea is given strong support by the fact that the ammunition for the guns was 10kg heavier per round than the British 4.7 inch gun. Suppose that 50 rounds per gun was needed (stored as shown on the adjacent gun deck in the photo above) - that would place another 500kg (high up) on the gun decks during action as compared to the British boats.. Not to mention the recoil of the guns. On the journey to Narvic, the railings around the decks gave way, without having anything stacked against them as in the photo..
It is also of interest that if one considers the actual dated 1934 (marked secret) plans of the guns themselves as shown above as reproduced in Koop and Schmolke's book, that they - echoing the guns on this very model, lack any details of the guns themselves. It appears that the guns themselves had not been designed in 1934 - other than as they are represented on this model - which would have had to be presented to Hitler. The hinged mounts on the main guns are clearly not like those actually used on the final ships - whereas the anti-aircraft guns are.
Whilst one notes the apparent accuracy of the fire control . One might note that it apes the similar design on the earlier designed battleship Deutschland shown below. - for which perhaps the anti-aircraft guns had also been developed.
If you think this is an interesting item please see my other listings in which I re-write the history of The Battle Of Hastings from my discovery of a painting by Joseph Farington in 1797 - showing the lay of the land at the site of William's landing at Hastings (not un-like Hitler's landing at Narvic) immediately before Hastings was re-developed and built on due to an influx of tourists from London during the era of Napoleon. (Not unlike this listing), it shows for the first time - William's castle at Hastings - itself built upon a prior Roman Fort. The Roman fort, of which I also show documented evidence in the form of lithographs from the time - again before the area was re-developed and built upon. This evidence overturns the current paradigm of the battle, William's landing in Britain and the events of 1066 and allows one to postulate the actual site of the battle.
Both listings are for a tangible substantive piece of evidence from pivotal points which determined the thinking, planning and outcome of Adolf Hitler and William of Normandy's military campaigns to invade Britain. One concerns the design of the ships used in landing and the other the actual site of landing of the ships (and how they were designed to land there).
