Graf Zeppelin carrier aircraft

[McColm]

The Graf Zeppelin was supposed to be one of four aircraft carriers built for the German Navy to be used during World War II. I'm still trying to find if it was ever deployed and what types of aircraft flew from it.
In the Whiffing World there is huge potential as I see it surviving into the early 1960s. This would open up the jet fighters,  naval and converted to carrier usage.
Plus if the Graf Zeppelin could be modified to take a ski jump or widened with a second carrier in a catamaran layout.
A whole host of WWII aircraft were considered for the Graf Zeppelin,  two being based on the Ju 87 and BF 109. Longer wings might have helped!
There's a YouTube video that's doing the rounds,  so that might be of interest.

[Pellson]

IRL, the Graf Z was one of two in her class, the second never being named. She was built on the same slipways as battle cruiser Gneisenau and pretty much ready for final works leading up to commissioning in mid 1940. However, the submarine programme took precedence and she was delayed until 1942 when towed to Kiel for fittings. Work was again halted in early 1943 and she was towed to Stettin where she finally was scuttled in January 1945, to be raised by the Russians in 1946. During tow to St Petersburg, she likely hit a mine and sunk em route.

Her sister, only mentioned as carrier "B", was more or less only laid down before being scrapped on slip in 1940.

Air group, in 1940, was planned for 8-10 Bf 109, 13 Ju 87 and 20 Fi 167 reconnaissance aircraft. Later, the plans were changed to 12 Bf 109 and 30 Ju 87.

But that's in real life. I wouldn't let that have any detrimental impact on any good whif-scheme, ever. 

[Rheged]

Some sources claim carrier B was to be named Peter Strasser but this is not officially confirmed anywhere to the best of my knowledge

[scooter]

Some sources claim carrier B was to be named Peter Strasser but this is not officially confirmed anywhere to the best of my knowledge

My reprint copy of Jane's Fighting Ships if WWII mentions that as well.

[PR19_Kit]

I know it was really named after a bloke, but calling a few thousand tons of steel after something that weighs less than nothing always seemed a bit odd to me. 

[scooter]

I know it was really named after a bloke, but calling a few thousand tons of steel after something that weighs less than nothing always seemed a bit odd to me. 

Which is probably why there's never been another Akron in the USN.  Macon and Shenandoah, yes. (Baltimore-class CA and two destroyer tenders)

[Gondor]

I know it was really named after a bloke, but calling a few thousand tons of steel after something that weighs less than nothing always seemed a bit odd to me. 

There is a difference between weight and boyancy.

Gondor

[Rheged]

Some sources claim carrier B was to be named Peter Strasser but this is not officially confirmed anywhere to the best of my knowledge

Since mentioning this, I've discovered that the cruiser Seydlitz  was to be converted into a light aircraft carrier  allegedly named the WESER

Added later:-  The original Z plan   was for 4 carriers of Graf Zeppelin class. Graf Zeppelin, Peter Strasser, C  and D; and four other light carriers. Later plans (pipe dreams?)  were to convert the liners Europa, Potsdam and Gneisenau  into carriers  and to "acquire" the incomplete French cruiser De Grasse for the same purpose.   source --  German Capital Ships of World War 2.  M J Whitley  9780304357079

Added even later:- Gneisenau  and Potsdam were allegedly to be renamed Jade and Elbe, but Europa had instability and structural problems and was discarded as a carrier conversion.

Gneisenau's sister liner Scharnhorst was actually converted to a carrier by the Japanese navy, becoming the escort carrier Shin'yō

[McColm]

I have an idea,  'What if the Graf Zeppelin was captured by the Royal Navy ,during World War II and put into service?' Rather than being used as target practice by the Russians!
A bit more research is has to be done,  good job I have Good Friday and Easter Monday off!

[Geoff]

Or completed and used by the Soviets?

[Pellson]

Or completed and used by the Soviets?

..or the May coup succeeds, Hitler is dead, the nazi core purged and peace is brokered. Stalin soon tries to move west which speeds up the formation of NATO which kicks off a major rearming of Germany, including a 1955 completion of the Zeppelin, angled deck and all.

I'll be building mine that way.. 

[scooter]

Or completed and used by the Soviets?

..or the May coup succeeds, Hitler is dead, the nazi core purged and peace is brokered. Stalin soon tries to move west which speeds up the formation of NATO which kicks off a major rearming of Germany, including a 1955 completion of the Zeppelin, angled deck and all.

I'll be building mine that way.. 

Granted, I stole the deck off Ark Royal, but...

LINK! for when the token expires.

[Pellson]

There we are! 

[The Wooksta!]

The Graf Zeppelin was second on 618's target list after they'd attacked and sunk Tirpitz.  Well, if any of them had survived what would have been a suicide mission.

[Rheged]

The illustration has as its air group a fine international collection of aircraft. Skyhawks, Vixens, Alizes and Kamov machines as far as I can see, plus whatever else is hiding in the hangar..