Actually, I was kidding about making a model for 1944-45 with Camo based on that picture.
That photo dates to 1941-42 according to one source. EDIT: and to 1943 for another. Radar does not appear to be mounted so that may help dating the photo. (Although perhaps it is painted-out?)
EDIT: According to German Naval Radar to 1945 By Erwin F. Sieche, During extensive refits in the last weeks of the war, the two old pre-dreadnought battleships Schleswig and Schleswig-Holstein were equipped with radar ..., A FuMO 25 with a large 2m x 6m mattress on an outrigger and a smaller training Palau frame above." ( I have not confirmed the radar platforms in any photos.)
Great catch on the 88's on the rear superstructure to prove Not 1944.
(Here's a 1/1250 model showing the Starboard side... )
These Armament issues remain. I think I will keep a look-out for some of the German Model ship forums as members there may have direct access to the archives and posted a documented time-line. Perhaps they will discover definitive information on Guns carried and when and where.
I have a large update coming. Just need to get photo's posted.
Here is a small "taste".
"...Time frame for various re-fits and armament:
1924 thru early 1926: Schleswig-Holstein was Modernized. All 17cm guns changed to 15cm. The 6 underwater torpedo tubes were removed. 4 torpedo tubes were added to the hull in casemates; two at the bow, two at the stern. The 4-8.8cm /45 guns may have been changed to 8.8cm /45 AA guns at this time but one source says 1931 . Schleswig-Holstein became fleet flagship in January 1926 following this refit.
December 1927- Jan 1928 Schleswig-Holstein went back into dry dock. The 3 funnels changed to 2 and made taller. (Some sources indicate 1924-1926 for the Funnel change and also indicate some boilers were changed to oil-fired at the same time.)
1931: The 2 rear upper-deck 15cm casemate guns were removed- (some sources indicate 1924-26).
(One source indicates the 4-8.8cm guns were changed to 8.8/45 AA guns in 1931, not 1924-26.)
1935: Became part of the new Kriegsmarine. Eagle emblems added to stern. Below is a photo of Schleswig-Holstein with Scheer on the left. This was captioned as "...Kiel in the summer of 1935".
Note that the forward sponsons/"Swallows nests" and casematted Torpedo tubes are still on!
My initial conclusion: The Schleswig-Holstein still had the Forward Sponsons, Casemate Torpedo tubes, and the 2 forward Upper-deck 15cm Casemate guns throughout 1935.
1936: Refitted as a cadet-training ship in early 1936 . The 2 forward upper deck 15cm casemate guns removed (may have happened in 1937 *). The 4 casemated Torpedo tubes removed. All forward Sponsons/"Swallows nests" removed. (Some sources say some boilers were converted to oil-firing at this time. (Awaiting a few books for specifics)
1937: 4-2.0cm C/30 guns added*. 6-10.5cm guns added*, 4-3.7cm c/30 added* ( I do not have photographic proof of the 10.5cm and 3.7cm guns.)
* Source: navypedia.org: Kaiserliche Marine/Reichmarine/Kriegdmarine, also German Warships, Vol1 by E.Groner.
1939: 2-2.0cm C/30 guns added. Total may now be 6- 2.0cm C/30 guns for "Start-of-War. One source indicates all 10-15cm guns removed in late 1939. (
EDIT: The WSW 1/700 resin kit supplies 6-2.0cm c/30 guns and 1-2.0cm flakVeriling gun.
"... Very Interesting...")
Some notes...
Some sources have concluded that 10.5cm guns and 3.7cm guns were added in the late 30's. Various times were specified. I have not seen photos or documented evidence to prove these specifics other than a drawing posted on a Web site.
Various sources indicate a variety of additional AA added for the 1943-44 time frame.
One source has specifics: 4-3.7cm removed, 4-2.0 cm C/30 removed , 10-40mm Flak 28 added, 4-2.0cm/c38 4-barrel added , 3-2.0cm C/38 added. FuMo 25 radar added.
My opinion on Armament for Sept 1, 1939:
4-28.0cm L/40, 10-15cm L/45, 6-2.0cm C/30. ( 1-2.0cm/C30 Flakveriling-4 barrel... still searching for proof other than a few frames of movie footage. (
EDIT: The WSW 1/700 model depicts one 2.0cm Flakveriling/4-barrel gun on the port side rear boat deck.)
Here are the 3 Stbd-side 2.0cm C/30 guns from a 1939 photo:
More to follow...
Nino