The cruiser GOTLAND of the Royal Swedish Navy played an historically pivotal role in the ultimate fate of the BISMARCK. Three models and several versions of the cruiser GOTLAND were produced: Wiking made at least 8 variants between 1938 and 1956 of the model (See: Ulrich Haevecker, Handbuch der Wiking-Schiffsmodelle, Volume II, S478), Rhenania 90 (1941 state), Argonaut 707 (1936 state). The GOTLAND, shown here, is the Argonaut model. The 1938 Wiking model (No. 3001) I have, is a rather plain pre-WWII version, and I doubt that the later versions were very much improved. I have seen photos of the Rhenania 90 on the "Producer’s Gallery", which is considered to be the best by some, but it is quite similar to the Argonaut model except that it has more deck gear aft and the Argonaut has more detail at the bow. I tend to think that the Argonaut model I have just acquired may have been at least partially repainted and remasted. The green aircraft recovery deck and catapult and single yardarm mast are not as shown on the Oliver Maertens’ photos on the Internet of either the Rhenania or Argonaut versions. The Argonaut GOTLAND does not have Neutrality markings, i.e., 1936. I took the liberty to take some high resolution close-ups that bring out the casting details and also, unfortunately, magnify the some aspects unreasonably out of proportion. If the photos of the Rhenania model posted in the "Producer’s Gallery" do justice, then I would bet the Argonaut model is its equal, although it does not carry the Hawker Osprey. [The BISMARCK is a 1:1200 scratch-built wood model made by John Youngerman].

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0400/0400 hours
ONO 3, bedeckt. ENE 3, overcast.

0424/0424 hours
F.T. 307. Heutige Skapa [sic] Aufklärung [handgeschriebenes Datum 19.5 mit Pfeil. UR] wegen Bedeckung ergebnislos. Radio telegram 307. Today’s Scapa reconnaissance inconclusive because of cloud cover. [handwritten date entry, arrow pointing at 19.5. The 0307 time of origin could mean that it is actually today’s. The ship is still on Central European Time. UR]

0448/0448 hours
Revnäs. Punkt Rot 24 B erreicht. Revnaes. Point red 24 B reached.

0616/0616 hours
Sperre Seelandsrev Punkt Rot 27 erreicht. Barrier at Seeland area point red 27 reached.

1730/1730 hours
Der schwedische Flugzeug- und Minenkreuzer "Gotland" läuft im Kattegatt dicht unter der Bedeckung der schwedischen Küste mit dem Verband mit. Flotte F.T. an Gruppe Nord 1737. The Swedish aircraft and mine laying cruiser "Gotland" runs in the Kattegatt along with the formation close in under cover of the Swedish coast. Telegraph message from Fleet to Group North 1737 hours. [Note that this entry is emphasized by a handwritten large exclamation mark and 4 vertical lines on the left hand margin! Perhaps these are by the hand of Captain Brinkmann. "Godland" is corrected to "Gotland". UR]

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