1/200 Bismarck May 1941 by trumpeter

[Perth_shipyard]

Hi guys, it's been a few years since I've been actively modelling due to work and life in general. I wanted to come back with a bang and after seeing this in the local hobby shop, here I am!

As the title says it's Trumpeters new 1/200 Bismarck. I won't do a full 'whats in the box' review, there are plenty of these floating around, but I will add some photo's of what comes with the MK1 design (KA models) deluxe Bismarck pack. This includes wooden decks, PE sheets, resin parts etc I've yet to look through it myself properly, but couldn't resist after seeing some of the included details.

I'd like to build an as accurate as possible ship as she appeared in the Atlantic, but I won't count rivets too much....

Well I hope you enjoy, and please comment and suggest away!

*edit* I've changed the poll to just either waterline or full hull with a de camouflaged Bismarck. The admiral has made her thoughts know on the colour scheme

[Perth_shipyard]

While not cheap I believe the KA deck and PE set are a must have for Bismarck. One thing which I noticed straight away is that the brass sheets feel like brass! While they don't look any thicker than the included trumpeter sheets - which are renowned for being flimsy as hell re- Arizona, these KA parts have a nice solid feel to them while keeping perfect scale. Time will tell I suppose.

I have to say though, I am disappointed with Trumpeter for one not including the sea ports on the bottom of the hull but more so for KA not including PE parts for the moulded in sea ports and those that aren't included on the kits hull.

[Perth_shipyard]

Oh I almost forgot, you do receive this cool extra main 38cm turret with internal structures. Could easily go to town on this also but just wanted to get my hands dirty so this mini kit was an arvo of fun. Now I will focus on the ship itself.

[Channell]

Great to see a new "Big B" builder!

There are a few of us working on one so you will have an active audience... keep us posted!

[codythecatt]

As Channell says there are a couple of logs in process. Not to forget the discussion in the main forum section, which has taken on a bizarre life of it's own! (I've quit reading that one ... )

I keep hoping that somebody will start a real 'build' log though, instead of a 'modification' log where they only show the 'cool PE stuff' they just did. (if somebody buys the kit for me I would do it )

Just pondering?

Referring to PE: the Bismark kit comes with oodles of PE so I am just wondering why one has to run out and buy more? Is it just because it is there to buy (obsessive/compulsive disorder? lol)... or is it that Trumpeter kits are sooooo horribly designed and molded that it is absolutely needed to even build the model? I'm seriously interested. I was considering getting the 1:350 Trumpy kit of the HMS Dreadnought but if it involves getting another $200 of PE sets etc as a 'normal' modeler I'll give it a miss.

But, anyways, best of luck on the build!

[Channell]

As Channell says there are a couple of logs in process. Not to forget the discussion in the main forum section, which has taken on a bizarre life of it's own! (I've quit reading that one ... )

I keep hoping that somebody will start a real 'build' log though, instead of a 'modification' log where they only show the 'cool PE stuff' they just did. (if somebody buys the kit for me I would do it )

Just pondering?

Referring to PE: the Bismark kit comes with oodles of PE so I am just wondering why one has to run out and buy more? Is it just because it is there to buy ... or is it that Trumpeter kits are sooooo horribly designed and molded that it is absolutely needed to even build the model? I'm seriously interested. I was considering getting the 1:350 Trumpy kit of the HMS Dreadnought but if it involves getting another $200 of PE sets etc as a 'normal' modeler I'll give it a miss.

But, anyways, best of luck on the build!

I'll tell ya why Cody.... Because the seperate elements of the kit are not really in harmony detail-wise.

For example, Trumpeter gives you great PE and moldings to make top-end main guns but practically ignores the other guns. The superstructure molded detail is great... until you look at the porthole shields which are only blank round moldings and just look horrible. Trumpeter gives you PE to put the rails on only 1/3 of the funnel and only gives mold lines for the rest. The kit gives you 1/2 great PE ladders and expects you to be OK with the other 1/2 molded on like this was 1/350 scale. The Arado airplanes are well molded with PE canopies even but the boats look like matchbox toys. The deck fittings are highly detailed but the deck itself is completely wrong and almost lazy in it's execution.

All and all it looks like several different work-groups were assigned to design specific elements of the kit; some groups had hardcore Bismarck experts on them, some had artists who are used to making Gundam models and others were made entirely of 10 year old kids making their first model.

It would be a shame to let this kit stay "stock" and it would take a real model god with the patience and skill of Michaelangelo to fix all the various errors and bring all the elements up to "1st class" without resorting to the aftermarket.

[codythecatt]

... some had artists who are used to making Gundam models and others were made entirely of 10 year old kids making their first model.

ROFLMAO! You are killing me here!

Thanks though, that would explain some stuff. I just made the assumption that if they bothered to put out a 4' long 1:200 model they would have taken the time to mold it with detail and properly.

Are all Trumpy models made using 'oatmeal with raisins' construction?

[Channell]

... some had artists who are used to making Gundam models and others were made entirely of 10 year old kids making their first model.

ROFLMAO! You are killing me here!

Thanks though, that would explain some stuff. I just made the assumption that if they bothered to put out a 4' long 1:200 model they would have taken the time to mold it with detail and properly.

Are all Trumpy models made using 'oatmeal with raisins' construction?

The only other Trumpy I've built was the 1/200 USS Arizona. It was was a lot more evenly executed, though the deck molding and plenty of details were wrong too.

Still there wasn't nearly as much complaining over that kit... I usually don't get swept up in detail madness but I sure am with this one. It must be the German in my blood that demands perfection.

[Perth_shipyard]

@ codythecatt - what channell said

Plus at this scale to achieve the fine crisp details I need the PE. This is still a real build log just using the KA PE and not the trumpy stuff. Airplane and military modelers have been modifying and improving kit's for years so why shouldn't we? I usually build wooden period ships at much larger scales so scratch building details is far easier, for me anyway.

[Channell]

Well the aftermarket set does look beautiful to me, despite the price of admission.

I look forward to your build and if your turret +the KA set is any indication of what your Bismarck is gonna look like I'd say we'll be looking at a real show-stopper in the end! Please keep us posted!

[Perth_shipyard]

Well the aftermarket set does look beautiful to me, despite the price of admission.

I look forward to your build and if your turret +the KA set is any indication of what your Bismarck is gonna look like I'd say we'll be looking at a real show-stopper in the end! Please keep us posted!

Thank you very much for the comments I hope I do it justice.

So I've officially made a start and attached the bow pieces, bilge keels and prop shaft a-frames and mounts. As expected at this scale there is some filler required to make smooth and fill the gaps, while small they're there.

[Perth_shipyard]

as with the poll.... I'm yet to decide if she'll be displayed as a full hull (shipyard) model or as a waterline diorama.... so the hull details will continue to be added until i've made my mind up for sure. Either way I don't really like large scale waterline models on a thin base so I won't be cutting into the hull if i go waterline, I'll just sink the hull into the sea(base)

[codythecatt]

keep up the good the good work then!

I usually build wooden period ships at much larger scales so scratch building details is far easier, for me anyway.

I have been pampering along a Revell original 1964 version of the 1:96 Cutty Sark I found on EBay for close to a year now. Any missing, broken, crumbling, or misinterpreted parts have to be scratch-built for that beastie! Most PE just doesn't work at that scale. Just the thought of using 1:96 PE railings and ratlines gives me a bad case of the willies! (they actually do make them!)

(and here I thought a plain ol' gray destroyer would be a nice calming break ... ya sure!)

[Perth_shipyard]

This is my current long - term project, it's been 2 years so far. The 38 gun frigate Diana 1794. Hence the break I need from wood, I also like seeing some instant satisfaction for a change hahaha
She's at a scale of 1/64, plank on frame etc.

[Perth_shipyard]

further filling and sanding. I've also removed the stem hawse hole as it's far too low.

[bismarck builder]

hi
your a frames look out of line

good start
gary

[Perth_shipyard]

a-frames were out a touch so all lined up now plus have added the PE ports and scuppers on the hull.

[codythecatt]

Hey Channell, LOOK!

He cheated and used metal portholes!

[Channell]

Hey Channell, LOOK!

He cheated and used metal portholes!

No, he's just sane.

Looking good Perth! Does the KA set include PE for the steps on the stern too?

[Perth_shipyard]

Thanks Channel, yeah after spending $$$ on the KA stuff I'm using the metal portholes. They look the part to me and with the right weathering should be fine.

Yep every step ladder is a single microscopic piece! I'll be doing them today.