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Central Citadel Ironclad SMS Sachsen
Scale: 1/250
Skill Level: difficult
Size (LxWxH): 380x80x140 mm (14x3x5 inch)
This is an HMV classic. SMS Sachsen was the first model published by HMV. This timeless model kit is very much fun to build and the result shows clearly that HMV produced high quality models from the beginning.
The model of SMS Sachsen was the first model that HMV published. Due to his four funnels in rectangular formation this unusual ship got the nickname "cement plant". The fine construction of the bridge fits perfectly and all the details make this model so special. For example the open cannons and the open helm offer insights that other models can't because all this was closed at later ship designs. This model kit is handdrawn and an extensive text instruction in German and English makes sure that everything finds the right place.
Sachsen still es a very popular model at HMV and the built up model still can compete against todays computer aided designs. The onderful hand drawn graphics to look at and the thought comes into mind to frame the sheets and put them on the wall.
The model highlights:
- turnable and open double cannon
- filigree construction of the bridge deck
- four turnable middle cannons
- seven life boats
- detailed anchors
- open helmstand
- armored helm
| Product type | Papermodel |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | HMV Hamburger Modellbaubogen Verlag |
| Scale | 1/250 |
| Designer | Markus Wiekowski |
| Difficulty | difficult |
| Sheet size | DIN A4 |
| Sheets | 8 |
| Parts | 760 |
| Length | 380 mm (14.96 inch) |
| Width | 80 mm (3.15 inch) |
| Height | 140 mm (5.51 inch) |
| Bauanleitung | German, English |
Technical data:
- Shipyard: A.G. Vulcan, Stettin
- Launch: 21.7.1877 as Neubau Panzerschiff B
- Commissioning: October 21st, 1878
- Length: 97,80 m
- Width: 18,30 m
- Armament: 6 26cm-L/22-hoop buns, since 1886 additional torpedo tubes
- Class: Central Citadel Ironclad or Turret ship
- Sisters: SMS Bayern, SMS Baden, SMS Württemberg
- Crew: Between 317 and 436 seamen
The plans for new central citadel ironclads like the Sachsen date back into the year 1861. But it wan't before 1872-1874 when the design office of the admirality led by councilor Koch started to execute this plan. Four central citadel ironclads (A, B, C, D) were to be built for the Baltic Sea. The first order went to the "Staatswerft Kiel", the second one to "Stettiner Vulcan". This second order was launched much earlier than the first one and was launched on July 21st 1877 as "Neubau Panzerschiff B". This is how the Sachsen got her role as lead ship.
Sachsen was built for coastal protection and so the design concentrated on weapons and armory. She had six hoop guns. Two were in the open barbette at the bow and four more in the middle. Ships with those open barbettes were also called battlement monitors. The speed was less important and the additional sails which were still common at that time weren't needed as the area of operations was always close to the coast. Two horizontal steam engines with eight boilers in two different compartments were responsible for propulsion. Because of this unusual machine design the funnels had to be arranged in pairs of two next to each other instead of the international custom to have all funnels in a row. And that's why Sachsen went by the nickname "cement plant". The design of the central citadel ironclads of the Sachsen class weren meant to have an increased security. The interior of the ship was divided into several compartments - the foundation of the outstanding stability of German warship designs. But still this new ship type made problems. And it took quite some time until the worst problems were under control.
In 1884 all central citadel ironclads were built. The ships stayed in service for 15 years and were the core of the German fleet for quite some time. Sachsen and her three sister were redesigned between 1896 and 1899. Due to their newly installed steam engines the four prominent funnels disappeared and were replaced by one bigger one. That changed the silhouette of the ship immensly. On top of that the old british armor was replaced by German armor plates by Krupp. The main artillery stayed but the forward barbette was closed. 1892 Sachsen was assigned to the 1st division of the fleet and resumed the duties of the Beowulf. On September 4th in 1901 she collided with "Aviso Wacht" which sank immediately. Until 1902 Sachsen stayed in service. After that she went to the first disposition fleet - and from 1906 to 1910 to the second dispostion fleet.
1910 Sachsen was decommsioned and until the end of the first world war in 1918 she was used as a target ship in the baltic sea. 1919 she was sold to a private company and scrapped in Wilhelmshaven.
