GoW: Togo - German SMS Fürst Bismarck (Armoured cruiser)

GMT-GER-010 SMS Fürst Bismarck-class (Armoured cruiser)

Class: 2

Base length: 14 cm (included)

Colour scheme: Standard German

Number of units per pack: 1

Number of units on the base: 1

Number of ship cards included: 1 (protective sleeve included)

SMS Fürst Bismarck was commissioned on 1 April 1900, on the birthday of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, one of the architects of German unification "by blood and iron". Interestingly, Bismarck was quite offended when the German Navy decommissioned the old corvette bearing his name. However, he was appeased when he was assured that the next great warship of the Kaiserliche Marine would be named after him. Unfortunately, the Iron Chancellor passed away before Fürst Bismarck was launched.

She was the first German armoured cruiser, an evolution of the Victoria Louise class. Many of the design features used in her construction were later adopted for subsequent German armoured cruisers.

The ship displaced nearly 10,700 tons, with engines capable of reaching almost 19 knots. Her primary armament included four 24 cm guns (in two turrets), twelve 15 cm guns, ten 8.8 cm guns, additionally machine guns and six torpedo tubes.

She had very thick armour, but her belt armour covered a relatively small area, a design approach that was beginning to be abandoned in favour of broader protection, based on lessons from the 1898 Spanish-American War and the 1894-1895 First Sino-Japanese War.

SMS Fürst Bismarck spent much of her career in the Far East, taking part in the suppression of the Boxer Rebellion. Before the First World War, she was converted into a training ship. By then, she was too outdated to have any real combat value and was ultimately disarmed, never taking part in the Great War.

She had a beautiful silhouette, with a distinctive tumblehome hull, and was well-armed for her time, although her relatively low speed was a drawback. Nevertheless, she will prove to be a valuable asset for any admirals commanding the Kaiserliche Marine.

The models in the set are resin, 3D printed and can be damaged if not handled properly. All models are unpainted. Glue and paints are not included. Contains small parts and is not intended for use by children under 14 years of age.

Instructions on how to prepare models for painting can be found here:
http://www.gmboardgames.com/blog/en/how-to-prepare-3d-printed-models-for-painting/