Deutschland Class Cruiser - Possible Conversion

Possible Conversion

After Hitler had given the order in late January 1943 for the two remaining ships to be scrapped, the possibility of instead converting them into aircraft carriers was discussed. The hulls would have been lengthened approximately 20 metres (66 ft), which would have used 2000 tons of steel and employed 400 workmen. Conversion time was estimated at two years. Their flight deck would have been only 10 metres (33 ft) shorter than that of the Hipper class heavy cruiser Seydlitz, which had been prepared for conversion in 1942, and they would still have attained 28 knots. This plan was not pursued.