by Heiko Schittek
1/700 Braunschweig (F 260) (Scratchbuild)
This is the Braunschweig, the first of five vessels of the newest class of corvettes that are now entering service with the German Navy. It is the successor to the Gepard Class of ships and will be used for patrol missions in coastal waters as well as taking part in multinational rapid reaction forces. The ships been developed with advanced technologies used in the F 124 Class and is also the first corvette to implement stealth features. The Braunschweig has a helicopter pad large enough for operations with all regular navy helicopters, including the NH90. However, it does not carry a helicopter itself. Instead it has a hangar large enough to hold two UAV marine drones that will be introduced within the next years.
The hull was again built in a sandwich manner for stability. Putting together the superstructure was a challenge at times, since the surfaces had to be attached in the right angles. The area around the bridge was particularly challenging since the entire structure had to be built in one piece. The same goes for both stealthy masts which took some experimenting to get the shape right. Bridge windows are again individually fitted to simulate the reflecting surface of glass.
Weapons: 2x RAM are from JAG, the 76mm gun is taken from a spare kit and slightly modified, RBS 15MK3 missile launchers are scratchbuilt. The radomes are also from JAG. The few railings as well as the flight deck nets are from GMM. Decals for the various markings including the German flag are taken from GMM's naval markings set as well as other spare sets. The pennant numbers and helo deck markings (modified) are from NNT's F 122 Class decal set - they are slightly too big but that couldn't be avoided since I wanted to use the proper font used by the German Navy. Antennas and rigging are made from stretched sprue and copper wires. Colors used are a mix of various shades of WEM's color coats to get close to the German navy gray.
