GRAF SPEE ARMORED BATTLE SHIP (OVERSIZE)

Graf Spee Armored Battle Ship

The Graupner Graf Spee scale armored RC ship is a superb, high-quality model featuring outstanding detail fittings. It is a scale model of the German Navy's armored ship, launched in 1934. The armored ships were designed and developed in accordance with the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, which denied Germany the right to build large combat ships over 10,000 tons. These ships were fitted with powerful armaments for their size, and this gained them the rather mocking nickname of "pocket battleships" from the English. Nevertheless, they were successful designs within their limited scope. They were easily able to exploit their heavy weaponry to defeat smaller enemy ships, and yet escape from larger foes such as battleships thanks to their high speed. Their overall design also made the armored ships ideal for the task of destroying enemy merchant shipping.

The Graf Spee was particularly renowned for its humane treatment of prisoners: no crew members of captured ships were killed while the vessel was hunting for enemy freighters. Crews on board the Graf Spee were also handled fairly and well. During her hunt for enemy freight vessels in the Atlantic, and also for a brief period in the Indian Ocean, the Graf Spee repeatedly used skillful tactics to escape from enemy warships.

The end came in the Battle of Rio de la Plata, in combat with three English cruisers. During this skirmish, the Graf Spee was damaged and steamed into the neutral port of Montevideo for repairs. In view of the English superiority, Captain Langsdorff subsequently took the decision to scupper the ship on 17 December 1939.

Graupner GRAF SPEE Features:

• Almost-Ready-To-Run (ARTR)
• GRP hull
• Laser-cut ABS superstructure components
• Metal detail fittings and small items
• Many finely detailed fittings
• Ship's aircraft painted in several colors
• Hull, superstructure, and cranes painted with a matte finish
• Two SPEED 600-class electric motors, factory-installed
• Straightforward RC component installation
• Set contents: ship model, stand, small items
• Length: 57.3" (1456 mm)
• Beam: 6.6" (168 mm)
• Height: 12.4" (315 mm)
• Weight: 16.5 pounds (7.5 kg)
• Scale: 1:128

* The HUGE box that this product comes in makes it an Oversize Shipment. The shipping charge is $95.00.