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FIGHTING SHIPS OF THE WORLD
GERMANY
AIRCRAFT CARRYING SHIPS
WESER aircraft carrier
Ships
| Name | No | Yard No | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Comp | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weser (ex-Seydlitz) | 940 | Deschimag, Bremen | 29.12.1936 | 19.1.1939 | --- | suspended 6.1943, scuttled incomplete 29.1.1945 |
Technical data
| Displacement standard, t | 17139 |
|---|---|
| Displacement full, t | |
| Length, m | 201.5 wl 217.0 oa |
| Breadth, m | 21.8 wl 32.0 fd |
| Draught, m | 7.90 deep load |
| No of shafts | 3 |
| Machinery | 3 sets Deschimag geared steam turbines, 12 Wagner boilers |
| Power, h. p. | 130000 |
| Max speed, kts | 32 |
| Fuel, t | oil |
| Endurance, nm(kts) | 6500(19) |
| Armour, mm | belt: 80, main deck: 30, slopes: 50 |
| Armament | 5 x 2 - 105/60 SK C/33, 5 x 2 - 37/80 SK C/30, 12 x 2 - 20/65 C/38, 18 aircraft (Bf109T fighters, Ju87C, Fi 167 diving bombers) |
| Electronic equipment | 3x FuMO 21, FuMO 25 radars |
| Complement |
Air group
| Year | Fighters | diving bombers |
|---|---|---|
| 1943 (planned) | 10 Bf109T | 8 Ju87C |
Standard scale images
Weser
Aircraft facilities
(fd - 6,000 m², ha - 1,879 m² / 10,636 m³): Flight deck: 200.0 x 30.0 m. Hangar: 137.5 x 17.0 (fore) - 12.0 (middle, aft) x ? m. Two lifts, each (15.2 x 14.3 m, 6.5 t). There were 2 catapults of K-252 type. Aircraft fuel stowage: unknown.
Project history
In June, 1942 heavy cruiser Seydlitz was 95% complete but Hitler, impressed by Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and reflecting on loss of Bismarck, agreed 26.8.1942 that Seydlitz should be completed as aircraft carrier. Work started in December, 1942. Ship was stripped of all superstructures and turrets. Works (dismantling of cruisers superstructures and armament) were suspended half year later under Hitler`s order and 2.4.1944 hull was towed to Königsberg and used there as hulk. 29.1.1945 incomplete carrier was exploded and scuttled. Later wreck was salvaged by Soviet Navy and scrapped in Leningrad.
Ship protection
80mm main belt (3.75m in height) protected about 70% of ships length and was inclined at 12.5° outside. It was closed by 80mm bulkheads. 3.85m in height fore belt had 40mm thickness (20mm near stem), 2.75m in height aft 70mm belt was closed by 70mm aft bulkhead of steering gear compartment. 30mm main deck had connected with lower edge of 80mm belt by 50mm slopes, outside this area it was flat and 40mm thick. CT had 150mm sides and 50mm roof.
