Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck
Discussion
Well I've either entirely lost the plot or I'm a sucker for punishment, but I've recently taken the plunge to build the good old Tamiya Bismarck.
I've long been coveting this model, and I recently got a 20% discount code for Hobbycraft so I managed to pick it up at a reasonable price. I'm not a total newb to modelling, I've built a number of scale models in the past, but have mainly been concentrating on the more fantastical side of things in recent years building and painting GW miniatures and vehicles.
This is certainly a step up, although looking at the contents it appears to be relatively simple in construction, so naturally to make things harder on myself I've also bought some photo etch and I'm looking at some metal gun barrel sets and wood decking as well.
I've also picked up a fabulous book, "Anatomy of the ship - The Battleship Bismarck" that give a complete breakdown of paint schemes and ship details.
I have an airbrush already so smooth paint application "shouldn't" be a problem, so it's just a case of planning what paint scheme. it seems Bismarck had 3 paint schemes in its short life, In early March 1941 it had the Baltic camouflage, with red turret tops. Then in May 1941 this change to Baltic with yellow turret tops, this then changed to a subdued Baltic scheme with grey turret tops as observed during the Battle of the Denmark Strait. There is some suggestion that subsequently the main guns had their tops painted yellow again.
So here's to a new year build of some epic proportions, lord knows where I'm going to put it when it's done!
I've long been coveting this model, and I recently got a 20% discount code for Hobbycraft so I managed to pick it up at a reasonable price. I'm not a total newb to modelling, I've built a number of scale models in the past, but have mainly been concentrating on the more fantastical side of things in recent years building and painting GW miniatures and vehicles.
This is certainly a step up, although looking at the contents it appears to be relatively simple in construction, so naturally to make things harder on myself I've also bought some photo etch and I'm looking at some metal gun barrel sets and wood decking as well.
I've also picked up a fabulous book, "Anatomy of the ship - The Battleship Bismarck" that give a complete breakdown of paint schemes and ship details.
I have an airbrush already so smooth paint application "shouldn't" be a problem, so it's just a case of planning what paint scheme. it seems Bismarck had 3 paint schemes in its short life, In early March 1941 it had the Baltic camouflage, with red turret tops. Then in May 1941 this change to Baltic with yellow turret tops, this then changed to a subdued Baltic scheme with grey turret tops as observed during the Battle of the Denmark Strait. There is some suggestion that subsequently the main guns had their tops painted yellow again.
So here's to a new year build of some epic proportions, lord knows where I'm going to put it when it's done!
Not a vast amount of progress, but the hull has been tidied up to remove mould lines, and the deck has been put in place.
Adding the deck is slight out of sequence and might make for a bit of a kerfuffle when mounting the guns, as they are secured from underneath, but i have a plan to use dowling of some sort to seat them.
There were a few gaps and a bit of deck detail lost, but I'm not concerned as I'll be adding aftermarket decking (another reason for laying it all down early. Loving it all so far, even if there is a bit more gap filling and cleaning than you'd normally see on a Tamiya kit, but I put that down to it being a 40 year old kit.
Just started work on the props, and once that's done, I'll probably look to prime it al and start on the hull paint work (eek!)
Adding the deck is slight out of sequence and might make for a bit of a kerfuffle when mounting the guns, as they are secured from underneath, but i have a plan to use dowling of some sort to seat them.
There were a few gaps and a bit of deck detail lost, but I'm not concerned as I'll be adding aftermarket decking (another reason for laying it all down early. Loving it all so far, even if there is a bit more gap filling and cleaning than you'd normally see on a Tamiya kit, but I put that down to it being a 40 year old kit.
Just started work on the props, and once that's done, I'll probably look to prime it al and start on the hull paint work (eek!)
I think it's because it's such a renowned ship. Even though it had such a short operational life it created a certain myth. I think if everything goes well on this build I might try HMS Hood next as the counterpoint.
Another deciding factor if the camo scheme is far simpler than Tirpitz!
Another deciding factor if the camo scheme is far simpler than Tirpitz!
Nuclearsquash said:
Yup very easy to get, although in terms of quality apparently the current Revell model is better.
Re the swastika, the bow decking has the layout etched into the deck.
Yep, definitely the same one. If memory serves, it had the option for motorised propellers and an R/C setup using standard Tamiya R/C parts.Re the swastika, the bow decking has the layout etched into the deck.
Happy building
dr_gn said:
shortar53 said:
Should be lovely.
For some reason the HMV paper version keeps calling my name.
I'd end up in hospital chewing the walls if i ever pull the trigger.
I keep looking at that. I’ve no idea how one person could ever actually build one in a single lifetime.For some reason the HMV paper version keeps calling my name.
I'd end up in hospital chewing the walls if i ever pull the trigger.
I'm just fighting lousy fitment on the prop housing at the minute, getting there though. Hopefully the superstructure goes together a bit better.
I've ordered my wooden decking and metal gun barrels, not sure when they'll pitch up mind as they are coming from China and Poland respectively.
The paper Bismarck is incredible, i doubt mine will be anywhere near as good. But then this is my first ship, andas much a learning experience as anything.
I've ordered my wooden decking and metal gun barrels, not sure when they'll pitch up mind as they are coming from China and Poland respectively.
The paper Bismarck is incredible, i doubt mine will be anywhere near as good. But then this is my first ship, andas much a learning experience as anything.
Watching with interest 
I have (almost) finished the 1:350 HMCS Huron, my first go at ship modelling and indeed any kind of plastic modelling for about 20 years! Absolutely loved it though.
So my next project is the 1:350 HMS Dreadnought, with wooden decks and the brass add-on sets - a Christmas present from my fiance;
I should probably start a thread for it, but not sure whether progress will be quick/regular enough to justify it
The 'Anatomy of a ship' books are superb for this kind of thing- I picked up the one on Dreadnought recently have a couple of others picked up over the years.
For anyone looking to build any of the big British warships, I could also highly recommend the 'British Battleship' series by R. A. Burt. I've got both the WW1 and the 1919-1945 editions and they contain a vast amount of photos of every class, many acquired by the author that I've never seen published anywhere else. There are also tons of technical drawings, and a detailed 'appearance changes' section for each class. Aside from their usefulness in modelling, they are a superb read for anyone with an interest in naval history.
I have (almost) finished the 1:350 HMCS Huron, my first go at ship modelling and indeed any kind of plastic modelling for about 20 years! Absolutely loved it though.
So my next project is the 1:350 HMS Dreadnought, with wooden decks and the brass add-on sets - a Christmas present from my fiance;
I should probably start a thread for it, but not sure whether progress will be quick/regular enough to justify it
The 'Anatomy of a ship' books are superb for this kind of thing- I picked up the one on Dreadnought recently have a couple of others picked up over the years.
For anyone looking to build any of the big British warships, I could also highly recommend the 'British Battleship' series by R. A. Burt. I've got both the WW1 and the 1919-1945 editions and they contain a vast amount of photos of every class, many acquired by the author that I've never seen published anywhere else. There are also tons of technical drawings, and a detailed 'appearance changes' section for each class. Aside from their usefulness in modelling, they are a superb read for anyone with an interest in naval history.
Nuclearsquash said:
Huron looks great, I hope my Bismarck come close to looking as good!
Kind words, but my photography (and a decent paint finish from the airbrush) hides a multitude of trial & error experience!That was very much the point of starting with the Huron first though- I feel I've learned a lot and will be doing certain things different next time.
Nuclearsquash said:
Definitely start a thread on Dreadnought, it'd be great to see that come together especially with the wooden decking.
Might just do that!A small bit of progress with the first propeller shaft and rudder added.
Just the other side to do, but I will admit I'm splitting my time between this and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Some other toys came today in the form of a little picker tool for those teeny tiny photo etch parts, and a bending tool.
Just the other side to do, but I will admit I'm splitting my time between this and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Some other toys came today in the form of a little picker tool for those teeny tiny photo etch parts, and a bending tool
.Nuclearsquash said:
Some other toys came today in the form of a little picker tool for those teeny tiny photo etch parts, and a bending tool .
A lot more high tech than mine- I am currently using a tiny piece of blu-tac affixed to the end of a cocktail stick as a 'picker', and an old RAC membership card as the 'bending tool' .Squirrelofwoe said:
For anyone looking to build any of the big British warships, I could also highly recommend the 'British Battleship' series by R. A. Burt. I've got both the WW1 and the 1919-1945 editions and they contain a vast amount of photos of every class, many acquired by the author that I've never seen published anywhere else. There are also tons of technical drawings, and a detailed 'appearance changes' section for each class. Aside from their usefulness in modelling, they are a superb read for anyone with an interest in naval history.
I just read this, when I bought it, it was the last one in stock that amazon had so not sure if its easily available now. I would highly recommend it too as its interesting reading the individual history of the ships, what is suprising was how much punishment they could take, the sophisticated armour systems and the fact the guns were so powerful they would even inflict damage on themselves when firing as light bulbs would smash, doors blow open and bulkheads distort! Its a shame only the US preserved their battleships for today!Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff