Graf Zeppelin

December 28, 1936-Production of Flugzeugträger "A" (Aircraft carrier "A") begins at the Deutche Werke shipyards in Kiel.

December 8, 1938-The newly named Graf Zeppelin is launched.

April 1940-German Naval High Command cancels the construction of the Graf Zeppelin (and all incomplete surface vessel projects) in favor of building the U-Boats to add to the German Kreigsmarine.

May 1942-Work on the flight deck of the Graf Zeppelin begins, and the catapults that would be used to launch aircraft are partially installed.

December 1942-Graf Zeppelin is towed to Kiel to resume construction on the carrier.

January 1943-Work on the Graf Zeppelin is halted again, and the armaments are removed from the carrier, ordered for shipment to Norway as coastal defense weapons.

April 25, 1945-Graf Zeppelin is scuttled at Stettin to avoid falling into Allied possession.

August 16, 1947-Graf Zeppelin is moored off of Swinemünde to be sunk as a target ship.

Statistics:

• Standard displacement: 19, 250 tons
• Top speed: 34 knots
• Length: 245 meters
• Beam: 27 meters
• Germany's carrier that was closest to being completed during World War Two.
• Was never fully completed, and never saw action against the enemy.

Armament:

• 40-Aircraft (18 Ju-87c with folding wings and 22 Me-109 sea versions, also had plans to install several Fieseler Fi-167 torpedo bombers [because of their versatility, with the ability to land on fast moving carriers similar to the helicopter, by flying slow instead of hovering])
• 16-5.9 inch, 150 mm guns
• 12-4 inch, 105 mm Anti-aircraft guns
• 22-37mm Anti-Aircraft guns
• 28-2 cm, 64 caliber Machine guns