The Ship Model Forum

Many thanks both, appreciated

Bob

I think you're correct.

It should probably read Heizölübernahmeraum ... fuel tranfer room.

There are rectangular Scuttles (or hatches) with hinges along the top edge that are sometimes opened, most likely for ventilation.
Deck plans show a room at each location titled Heizblübernahmeraum, which translates to Heating transfer room. Possibly heat exchangers for air conditioning?

Noticed what appear to be rectangular blocks on the upper hull, above the armour belt and almost adjacent to B and C main battery guns. I can't find any information as to what these are? Can anybody tell me please?

Thanks Bob

Yes not at all discussed. Much like that dark grey strip below anchor on that side as they couldnt repaint it well when in port, so the bow has a hitler moustache if you like. At least on that side, not sure if same on the other...

Confirm, the ladder exists from the beginning. Maybe in the pictures it's few visible.

I think the ladder you refer to, is on the side/top of the hangar, it's also visible in the second picture.

There is a ladder visible in the first picture between the gun barrels and crane that might be it, although, it might be a little farther back. The second pic has the boats in the way.

Building the Revell model in 1/350 and I wonder if these ladders in funnel under the searchlight dome are correct? They don't show up in the two pictures attached, but maybe they were there at some point of time?

Very plausible, here's another pic to corroroborate. Wonder how come this hasn't been discussed before, or maybe it's just me with poorly scanning the references.

Looks like the searchlight dome was still painted white from the baltic scheme. It looks too bright to be a light reflection. Maybe the crew was not able to paint the area just using ladders.

thegreenmachine,

Re: Your post of 5 Feb.

Asmussen and Leon's (A and L) book on German Naval Camouflage in World War 2 (Volume 1) is probably the best Reference available that I know of though there may be others that the BISMARCK/TIRPIZ fans are aware of.

A and L contains an illustration of the ship around the time that you are interested in. In it the main mast is painted black from the bottom of what I understand was the helm indicator "box," up to the truck. However, the well-known photograph taken from the starboard quarter; which is also in the book, could lead one to believe that the "black" extended further down. It could be soot though or the appearance of the mast against the light.

It's remarkable just how much that ship's appearance changed over the short period of her life!

I hope that this helps.

81542

I wonder why the searhclight dome appears to be very light colour compared to the rest of the ship in this one the last pictures of Bismarck. In all other pictures it doesn't strand out like this.

According to "Anatomy of the Ship", Bismarck had a black main mast around april 1941. Was this really black paint or just soot from the funnel?

Thanks, for prompt reply, building my model on high seas. Noticed afterwards, that I didn't log in and appeared as guest. All the best,

rvuorenr

@81542: Thanks for your detailed answer. I did some research in the meantime and I think you are correct that RAL 7016 would be used for the steel decks. I might use a little bit lighter color to recreate the surface of a non-slippery surface, but definitely darker than RAL 7024.

Guest,

Yes: if the German navy (of whatever political system was in government) was like those of the British Empire, the frames for the covers were removable. They were usually only rigged in harbour. The frames were usually of galvanised tubular metal but if found on a larger ship, say a battleship or cruiser, those on the quarterdeck might have been made of brass and kept polished.

The covers were made of canvas and sometimes painted. That over the admiral's hatchway might have been made of something like "duck" (a fine, light canvas) and kept scrubbed white.

81542

Does anyone know how these deck hatch covers were used.
- are the frames permanent installation or removable, looking at the picture attached I presume they would restirct the turret movement.
- did they use the tarpaulin covers while sailing or just in port?

Thegreenmachine,

Re: Your last post concerning the greys to be used on your model of BISMARCK April 1941.

I've taken the liberty of using Google Translate to work on the purposes of RAL 7016 and 7024 as given in the extract from the German publication "Anstriche und Tarnanstriche der deutschen Kriegsmarine" (See the link in Timmy C's post of 29 Nov 2024). There is one word that does not "work," however and if either Wefalck or Maxim see this I would be grateful for their advice but this is my interpretation on your query. The parts in quotes are the translations from Google. Those in parentheses are my comments.

RAL 7016 Used for "Ship's bottom paint (WL) (I take that to mean "WasserLinie:" water-line or boot-topping, if you prefer) III grey (and) non-slip exterior deck paint."

RAL 7024 Used for "Heel" (That confuses me! Wefalck and Maxim will have a better idea) colour dark grey for outside and inside.

I would therefore interpret the request for advice in your question as follows: RAL 7024 was used for the forward and after parts of the hull and that RAL was used for the decks, tops of the main armament gunhouses and the boot-topping. I would presume of course, that the shade used for the boot-topping would be non-slip nature.

Hope this helps.

81542