SMS Grosser Kurfurst was the second battleship of the four-ship Konig class. Grosser Kurfurst (or Grosser Kurfurst) served in the Imperial German Navy during World War I. The battleship was laid down in October 1911 and launched on May 5th, 1913. She was formally commissioned into the Imperial Navy on July 30th, 1914, days before the outbreak of war between Germany and the United Kingdom. Her name means Great Elector, and refers to Frederick William I, the Prince-elector of Brandenburg. Grosser Kurfurst was armed with ten 30.5-centimeter (12.0 in) guns in five twin turrets and could steam at a top speed of 21 knots (39 km/h; 24 mph).

Along with her three sister ships, Konig, Markgraf, and Kronprinz, Grosser Kurfurst took part in most of the fleet actions during the war, including the Battle of Jutland on May 31st and June 1st, 1916. The ship was subjected to heavy fire at Jutland, but was not seriously damaged. She shelled Russian positions during Operation Albion in September and October 1917. Grosser Kurfurst was involved in a number of accidents during her service career; she collided with Konig and Kronprinz, grounded several times, was torpedoed once, and hit a mine.

After Germany's defeat and the signing of the Armistice in November 1918, Grosser Kurfurst and most of the capital ships of the High Seas Fleet were interned by the Royal Navy in Scapa Flow. The ships were disarmed and limited to skeleton crews while the Allied powers negotiated the final version of the Treaty of Versailles. On June 21st, 1919, days before the treaty was signed, the commander of the interned fleet, Rear Admiral Ludwig von Reuter, ordered the fleet to be scuttled to ensure that the British would not be able to seize the ships. Unlike her sister ships, Grosser Kurfurst was raised in 1938 for scrapping and subsequently broken up in Rosyth.

Shown here is a 1:1250 scale replica of the famed German Konig class battleship, SMS Grosser Kurfurst. Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 9-inches

Release Date: June 2021