Shipbucket

Motorkreuzer 1938 is part of a design competition that is held in July 1937 in order to succeed the M-class. The original requirement were for a displacement of less than 8,000t with similar capabilities to the M-class (namely armament and protection). MK38 is the largest entry, displacing 8,959t with pure diesel propulsion and proposing the use of three 15 cm triple turrets two fore and one aft. The armament layout would have raised dissension at a later stage and the use of only two shafts was rejected as being overtaxing on a ship of this size. The machinery space needed increased the length and thus weight of armor required, and the shaft-propeller layout would inevitably resulted in excessive vibration and vulnerability to shock damage. In the end, none of the designs were was considered superior to the M-class and any hope of them being laid down were gone with the outbreak of WWII.

Original blueprint scan
PNG version

Specification:
[Displacement - 8,959 tonnes
Length - 191 m (oa) / 186 m (wl)
Beam - 17 m
Draft - 5.3 m
Speed - 35.1-35.7 knots
Machinery - Two shaft, 59,000bhp each
Armament -

• 9x 15 cm SK C/25 in triple turrets

• 4x 8.8 cm SK C/32 in twin mountings

• 8x 3.7 cm SK C/30 in twin mountings

• 4x 2 cm SK C/30 in single mountings

• 8x 53.3 cm torpedo tubes in quadruple set

Protection -

• Belt - 30+50 mm over magazines and boilers

• Deck - 20 mm, 25 mm slope

• Barbette - 30 mm

• Turrets - 80 mm face, 20 mm sides

Of note, despite the usage of 15 cm SK C/28 on M-class and other entries, a closer look on the blueprint reveal a longer-barreled 15 cm SK C/25 of the Königsberg and Leipzig class being used. This might imply the use of same turret of the Nürnberg, which has similar level of turret armor found on M-class. Moreover, the secondary/heavy AA battery is depicted with Dop. L. C/32 mount as per the blueprint, however it is likely it would be replaced with Dop. L. C/37 mount instead like the final M-class design.



Open to feedback and criticism

Nice work! The bow makes it look like an oversized Type 1934 destroyer, and the bridge structure looks like the designers forgot a few levels.

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MS State Guard - 08 March 2014 - 28 January 2023

The Official IJN Ships & Planes List

#FJB

Haha, indeed the bow resembles the destroyer's bow rather than the usual clipper of cruisers. And yes, the forward superstructure is very empty, with barely any overhangs or the tower mast (the blueprint shows it like that). I'm asking more knowledgeable people about the oddity, and their reasoning being that it is a private design which does not necessarily reflect the existing norms of the Kriegsmarine. Most likely, if it were built, the design would have substantial changes done (which is what i am planning to draw in the future).

Anyway, thanks for the compliment

Changes to the drawing? Sounds intriguing! Always up for a Kriegsmarine AU ship, so looking forward to what you come up with!

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MS State Guard - 08 March 2014 - 28 January 2023

The Official IJN Ships & Planes List

#FJB

Great job on one of the lesser known German cruiser projects!