Ship Review:
SMS Derfflinger

The Derfflinger class was the last class of German battlecruisers in WWI, and arguably the best looking, too. While Lutzow was the only German battlecruiser lost at Jutland, they fought hard, and took heavy punishment. They were also the most modern, and modern looking of the German WWI battlecruisers.


Firepower: B The Derfflinger mounted 8x12" guns in four twin turrets, all on the centerline. As a result, while she gets 4.5 units, and the benefits of a raised haymaker, she cannot pull off the two haymaker and bonus stern gun arrangement like the Seydlitz can.

She can also mount the Death Y, if you don't mind having a bow gun.

If someone wanted to be extra daring, she could use the same arrangmeent that Charley did on his Seydlitz with a 1/2 unit pump, twin sterns, haymaker and bow sidemount.


Speed: A

While not quite as short as Seydlitz, at three inches longer, Derfflinger is not exactly lengthy. At 24 seconds, she's speedy and powerful, and again, the four shaft arrangement results in good acceleration.


Manuverability: B

Derfflinger has the same rudder arrangement as Seydlitz, but with a slightly smoother hull form and chubbier stern. As a result, she should handle a bit better, but not as well as a twin ruddered ship.


Target Factor: C

The Derfflinger has a flush deck, and while she has less freeboard overall, and lacks the raised forecastle of the Seydlitz, she also has no casemates. None. At all. This is a bonus when you're sheeting her, but it does mean that when she's being shot at, there's nothing to stop those incoming rounds but your captain skill.


Skill Floor/Ceiling: Moderate/High

Derfflinger is not a ship that I would recommend to the beginning battler, she's more like a good second or third boat, or something for a more experienced battler to relax with. A beginning battler would be very likely to be punished in battle due to her reduced maneuverability and target area compared to Von der Tann. At the same time, an experienced battler should be able to do very well with her, as her speed should allow her to secure the kill.


Conclusion:

I've always liked the Derfflinger, and I have a kit waiting in my garage to be built ... someday. I've even tried to talk Bob Amend out of his a time or two, but he'll have nothing of it. I like her. I think she's pretty. I think she's pretty effective. I don't like to deal with sheeting casemates... Strike's hull and kit are very nice, and I would definitely recommend them.

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