1/200 Trumpeter Bismarck. Correcting the Hull...

[Perth_shipyard]

Thanks for all your compliments guys.. but I must say, don't go the waterline route, do what I'm doing!!

I've done some more tonight, but not worth photographing really, I hope to add some more pics tomorrow.. I'm loving this!!

You're a bastard! Hahaha I am now

[Channell]

I had a look at the stern this afternoon, and compared it to some plans I downloaded from the 'net.

I have read that some are concerned about the shape of the centre bulge in the stern on this kit, and now I can see what they were talking about. Below you can see the stern of the hull with new formers added to the correct shape. These are actual size, and will need to be reduced to allow planking to be added on top of them. This will all then need sanding and smoothing out to give the correct shape.

The stern also has the flat area just like the bow. There is also a flat area, 6mm wide at the extreme stern and Bows, in other words there is a flat area, at least 6mm wide from stem to stern.

Thanks for stopping by.

That's pretty extreme Nigel (in a good way!)! I had no idea trumpeter was that far off on the bottom of the boat...

Not sure if it's worth it to you or not but if I was doing that I would simply fill the voids along the new hull profile with auto body putty... it would be A LOT less work than planking and shaping them. Just an idea anyway...

[NigelR32]

Hi Jason,

I must admit, I was quite shocked to see the error myself. I have looked around the'net for some images, and it would appear that I am actually correcting it, rather than making a good kit bad...

As for the filler, I hear you, but would rather use plastic as it will be easier when I come to adding weld lines. (Probably from stretched sprue?)

[NigelR32]

Here's a quick little update before bed...

I'm starting to get somewhere with the stern now. those flat panels with the faired in panels almost look like they should be on a stealth fighter!!





The black areas are actually black marker pen. I colour the edges of the formers before gluing, then when I sand it down, I know when I'm at the required level because the black turns to white!!

Thanks for looking in. Keep the comments and tips coming please..

[tms]

It looks a serious job is being made here!
How thick is the styrene sheet used?
Perhaps some filling of the void spaces with epoxy putty needed, to avoid future plating indentation?

I am watching with much interest

[NigelR32]

It looks a serious job is being made here!
How thick is the styrene sheet used?
Perhaps some filling of the void spaces with epoxy putty needed, to avoid future plating indentation?

I am watching with much interest

Thanks,

I wont be using epoxy filler, but will be added more stiffeners behind the "Planks". The Plastic card is 1mm thick.

[Perth_shipyard]

Right I've scrapped my hull and rebuilding it!

Well not quite, but the bonus of not gluing anything down on the decks yet I can rework the hull. It's all your fault mind you plus with much needed guidance from Bernd and the new info acquired I'll join you mate is this madness

[NigelR32]

Good news Anton,

Make sure you protect the deck well with some card or something. There will be a lot of cutting and sanding going on.

You may or may not have spotted, the position of the screws is almost correct, but the fairings around the shafts are mis-shaped and in the wrong position. I thin k from memory, they taper in towards the bow?

[Perth_shipyard]

Yeah I've got the full lines plans for the lower hill so it'll be checked with that.

[NigelR32]

Sounds like you have the same plans as me. Our hulls will be identical then? Can you remove the PE portholes to correct the Bow?

[Perth_shipyard]

A sharp scalpel will remove them easy enough. The overall shape above the waterline is very good and close so I may save the headache. Adding the docking keels and reshaping the shafts aren't too much of a job in the big scheme of things so will see how that goes. If it doesn't work out the way I want it too I can still waterline her

[NigelR32]

Ah, so the flat bottom and projected areas fore and aft are known as docking keels?

I learn a new phrase every day on here!!

[PetrolGator]

You, sir, are insane. You have singlehandedly awed me and made me lose a lot of respect for this kit. You'd think Trumpeter would check the hull design before releasing a kit on this magnitude.

Good job!

[NigelR32]

Thanks for your compliments? there.

I do believe trumpeter have done a great job with this kit, especially when you compare the price to some ship kits in 1/350.

I have just thought of something... I have read that the armour belt was actually bolted on and not welded? If this is the case why is there not a seam below the waterline where the belt is fixed to the hull?

Also, there is a line marked around the hull, below the waterline called the (Torpedo Belt?). What is that then??

[Perth_shipyard]

Thanks for your compliments? there.

I do believe trumpeter have done a great job with this kit, especially when you compare the price to some ship kits in 1/350.

I have just thought of something... I have read that the armour belt was actually bolted on and not welded? If this is the case why is there not a seam below the waterline where the belt is fixed to the hull?

Also, there is a line marked around the hull, below the waterline called the (Torpedo Belt?). What is that then??

I agree, trumpeters hull is far more accurate than any kit hull I have seen. Even the original plans don't show the docking keels as most line plans just show that the hull lines.

The armour belt was fitted flush against the hull plates, not a gapping hole so it would just appear as a very fine seam on the model. You don't need this to be too pronounced. This external belt fitted after launching, included a main KC vertical belt that was 320 mm thick, 4.8 meters wide, and 170.7 meters long. It covered 70% of the waterline, and protected the armour deck, the upper platform deck, and part of the middle platform deck. The belt was backed with a 60 mm thick layer of teakwood that helped absorb shock damage, and it was bolted onto 16-25 mm thick side plating. The majority of the belt was located above the waterline (3.0/1.8 meters as designed, but 2.6/2.2 meters in practice), with the reasoning that shells are more likely to hit above than below the waterline. The citadel area above the main belt was armoured with 145 mm thick KC (Krupp cementite) plates that protected the battery deck all the way to the armoured upper deck.

The torpedo belt was the plating below the armoured belt creating a void in the hull. This was to absorb any impact from torpedo's and fill with water while the rest of the hull escaped damage.. well in theory.

[PetrolGator]

Thanks for your compliments? there.

I do believe trumpeter have done a great job with this kit, especially when you compare the price to some ship kits in 1/350.

I have just thought of something... I have read that the armour belt was actually bolted on and not welded? If this is the case why is there not a seam below the waterline where the belt is fixed to the hull?

Also, there is a line marked around the hull, below the waterline called the (Torpedo Belt?). What is that then??

Sorry. Let me rephrase: I wouldn't have the patience to correct what you have. I'm simply impressed with the research and work you're putting into this. Much respect.

[NigelR32]

Thanks for your compliments? there.

I do believe trumpeter have done a great job with this kit, especially when you compare the price to some ship kits in 1/350.

I have just thought of something... I have read that the armour belt was actually bolted on and not welded? If this is the case why is there not a seam below the waterline where the belt is fixed to the hull?

Also, there is a line marked around the hull, below the waterline called the (Torpedo Belt?). What is that then??

Sorry. Let me rephrase: I wouldn't have the patience to correct what you have. I'm simply impressed with the research and work you're putting into this. Much respect.

I think you mis understood me there.. I wasn't in the slightest bit offended by your comment. I'm almost wishing they mess up the 1/200 Hornet like they did the 1/350 so I can get the plastic card out again.

You shouldn't be put off this kit by my undying eagerness to modify plastic kits!! It really is a good kit, especially at the price.

[Channell]

Thanks for your compliments? there.

I do believe trumpeter have done a great job with this kit, especially when you compare the price to some ship kits in 1/350.

I have just thought of something... I have read that the armour belt was actually bolted on and not welded? If this is the case why is there not a seam below the waterline where the belt is fixed to the hull?

Also, there is a line marked around the hull, below the waterline called the (Torpedo Belt?). What is that then??

Just wait till you start fixing portholes... theny you will be more than willing to talk smack about the kit!

In a strange way it's actually kinda fun to fix the errors though. I'm seriously considering putting my hull aside for now and focusing on the superstructure... I want to see what can be done with the hull before going any further. I'd hate to start ripping my boat apart only to redo stuff later... and the hull needs some help (not to mention more detail!)

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Thanks for your compliments? there.

I do believe trumpeter have done a great job with this kit, especially when you compare the price to some ship kits in 1/350.

I have just thought of something... I have read that the armour belt was actually bolted on and not welded? If this is the case why is there not a seam below the waterline where the belt is fixed to the hull?

Also, there is a line marked around the hull, below the waterline called the (Torpedo Belt?). What is that then??

Just wait till you start fixing portholes... theny you will be more than willing to talk smack about the kit!

In a strange way it's actually kinda fun to fix the errors though. I'm seriously considering putting my hull aside for now and focusing on the superstructure... I want to see what can be done with the hull before going any further. I'd hate to start ripping my boat apart only to redo stuff later... and the hull needs some help (not to mention more detail!)

Lol, I'm doing the same thing. All work has ceased on my hull until I see what can be done with it and till I can get a hold of some non wallet breaking plans of the ship with the lines like you guys have found, lol
Your hull really is coming along great though!

[NigelR32]

Here's Wednesdays update...

She's starting to look like Bismarck now!! (I know I should be calling my Bismarck "He", but it's MY Bismarck, so she's a "She")

I have begun the long old task of planking the Stern.. and given the area a quick rub down to check the profile....



as it happens, the two pieces that the screw shafts fit inside are the wrong shape and in the wrong position, as are the "brackets" adjacent to the screws themselves. These will be corrected, maybe tomorrow??

Here's an end on shot...



If you look really closely you'll spot the difference between my work and what trumpeter made....you do need to look closely mind you!!

Thanks for looking, and good night.