PME wrote:
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The propellers supplied with Revell's 1/350 Emden look all wrong. Are they? What was the actual diameter?
Model props are 0.48" diameter. It works out to 14' @ 1:1.
The Revell propeller shafts stick out wide and down, at an odd angle. Historical reference show prop shafts extending directly aft parallel with longitudinal center line.
I have a set of blueprints @ 1/100 drawn back in the 70's. The notes say diameter was 4.3M (14 ft). But in the same drawing print, the diameter is 7.7'.
The truth is that there is no way the Emden swung a 14' prop on shafts extending normally. Propeller blade sweep would have extend below the keel and also sliced into the hull.
Wish Revell would have gotten this right. One of my gripes about the kit.
One of Emdens props is still existent at the wreck site, North Keeling Island. One blade is fully exposed vertically. I have not been able to reach any divers who have been there and can tells the reality.
According to the most authoritative source (Erich Gröner - Die deutschen Kriegsschiffe 1815-1945) encyclopedia, the diameter of Emden's props were indeed 4.3 metres, so 14.1 feet in British measurements. Revell's props are exactly spot on at 12.3mm or 0.48 inch. So that's all quite in order. Also the prop shafts and A-brackets are all right.
Revell made an error though making the prop shaft guides on the hull far too small, this causing the prop shafts only to be mounted at an awkward angle, not at all realistic. In my view these shaft guides should be replaced by Evergreen .100" tubing, and an appropriate sliver of plastic added to make them sit at the right distance. In fact I glued the shafts/brackets ad the Evergreen tubes together first, nicely lined up, and the plastic sliver last. Then it all looks like this (Dresden kit unaltered shown for comparison):
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One of Emdens props is still existent at the wreck site, North Keeling Island. One blade is fully exposed vertically. I have not been able to reach any divers who have been there and can tells the reality.
As far as can be guessed from the photos the prop blade stands about a man's length tall, so about 6-7 feet. That's perfect in line with the diameter of 14 feet, as should be expected. No need to find a diver to go down with a tape measure. The problem doesn't lie with the props, but with the hull and shaft guides as described above.