The Big One... Trumpeter 1/200 Bismarck 1940 build

[pvk308]

I like the idea of cutting the pieces off that sit below the stick on deck and then regluing to the hull to get it to the level of the stick on deck, nice one mate a tip I might take and use in my build if that's ok

[Channell]

Of course! You have paypal, right? I charge $4.95 per random tip. Seriously though, I'm not selling anything so I'm happy to share any and all modeling "secrets" I might have gleaned during my hobby misadventures!

Well, 5 or 6 tubes of putty later and I'm finally getting close to finishing my reshape of the hull bottom.



I made up a full set of posterboard reverse cross-sections from Bismarck plans (from the "Anatomy of the Ship" book) to help guide me along, also in 1/200 scale.

Here's the standard kit hull for comparison (though I can't get them all on a finished bottom):





As you can see, other than the area just forward of the props the hull really isn't all that far off; it's just too round more than anything. You can get closer to the right dimensions mostly by adding more material along perimeter of the lower hull (though I did sand about half the thickness of the bottom flat) and along the keel on both ends.

I did multiple fairly thin layers of squadron putty, allowing each layer to dry before adding the next so I didn't get a squishy mess.





Another layer:



and where I am now:





It's still not 100% and I'm not totally sure I've got a really accurate shape either (109 and his 1/100 masterpiece have previously converted me to the "square and chunky Bismark bottom school of thought") but it's certainly an improvement.

Thoughts, opinions and advice welcome!

[GazzaS]

Man, Squadron putty brings back some not so fine memories of ruined plastic. Whilst living in the US, I went back to Testor's white. You should try Miliput if you can get your hands on it. Squadron and Testors take forever to dry...especially if you need lots. And who can be that patient?

Great work on the hull!

However, you've convinced me never to be too curious about the hull shape of any model kit I buy.

[pvk308]

A lot of work going in there mate nice to see and the hull really is a badly done isn't it...... I two have 109s dock keel plans just haven't converted them over to sections like you have but will be getting there one day.........

[Fliger747]

Nice indeed!

To make a small suggestion; For those slightly thicker additions, autobody putty (Bondo is popular brand in the US) hardens in a quite short time and works well. Also Autobody glazing putty is a good and easily found substitute for the hobby versions. Then there is striping tape, also found at your autobody pain store, also more available than the Tamaya version.

Glad to see the kit builders sliding over to the scratch world in pursuit of accuracy.

Keep at it! T

[Channell]

Yea, Squadron putty isn't necessarily the best stuff for this. I didn't really intend to take this so far, otherwise I would have reached for the bondo first. On the plus side however, squadron putty dries very hard and strong, so long as it's applied in relatively thin layers and given time to dry before going on to the next layer.

I did decide that since I'd gone that far, I might as well try to go all the way and do the squared out bottom. As it required lots more material added around the stern I DID go the bondo route. Hopefully I'll get some time to work on it this weekend; I'll post some pics when I get further along.

[anyahajobuzi]

Waterline models are sooo damn nice!! (and easy) hahahahaha-haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!


Laci

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Hey Channel
Glad to see you still got this going dude! You're a lot more patient than I am with the hull imperfections. I've decided to go seascape with mine, haha. What kind of tool did you use for the new method on stern port holes? Looks just as good as replacing every one like before with half the work. I'm picking up the new Pontos advanced kit and starting my build back up.

Dana

[Channell]

Good to hear you are coming back to Bismarck hell, Dana... it will be just like old times!

Here are the dremel bits I'm using:



I've found the "sweet spot" on my speed setting where it cuts but does not melt the plastic and use a backlight; I can judge when I've reached the right depth by the translucency of the plastic.

Well, things are getting ambitious on my workbench; I've got a lot going on in my real life so I haven't had much time to devote to modeling lately but I'm still moving forward, more or less:





I'm always appreciative of constructive criticism and it's still an "in progress" experiment so if any of you Bismarck experts out there have any pointers or advice I'd appreciate it!

I got yet more shiny loot for the Bissy the other day too:



Told ya'll I'm going all-out this time!

[Channell]

Here's some more pics with yet another coat of putty that may be better for seeing the shape of things currently:













Again, I welcome some constructive criticism on it!

[Angeliccypher]

Again, I welcome some constructive criticism on it!

Your walls are too bare in that room and need something hanging on them. Oh and the hull looks great!

[Channell]

Again, I welcome some constructive criticism on it!

Your walls are too bare in that room and need something hanging on them. Oh and the hull looks great!

Actually that's one of my unfinished projects too; we bought the house at the beginning of the year and have been slowly renovating it. The whole house had been painted with latex over oil; I've stripped off all the paint and it's waiting for a new coat.

Thanks!

[anyahajobuzi]

Well hello, fellow insane modeller!!

I couldn't find anything regarding this in your previous posts: are you using any parts from the "first" Bismarck on the second one, or all that is going "underwater" into the wreck-scene? Plus I missed that B-17 arrival.. 32nd scale. OH my god! You don't build small, do you?!
I am speechless about your determination! I sure would be happy to see ONE of these projects finished, but we probably agree on this one!:)

Keep it up, but stop buying more models for god's sake!! FOCUS!

happy modeling (and house renovating)

Cheers: Laci

[Channell]

Don't worry, the B-17 is safely stashed away for the time being... It's been a wonderfully wicked last couple of years with so many new kits that I just *had* to get and my stash is overflowing with big boxes.

I honestly don't have a good, solid plan here; what I want is to end up with is a first-class 1940 Bismarck but I keep flitting all over the place instead of focusing on that goal. It's been a busy summer too; I haven't had much time to spare on the hobby. Hopefully that will change this winter.

I started to fix up Bismarck #1 but I quit pretty early on; the pontos PE is much better than the KA set that I used on the first one and I know I can do better. I'll probably work Bismarck #2 and eventually turn #1 into a wreck diorama.

[Mgunns]

I honestly don't have a good, solid plan here; what I want is to end up with is a first-class 1940 Bismarck but I keep flitting all over the place instead of focusing on that goal. I'll probably work Bismarck #2 and eventually turn #1 into a wreck diorama.

Hello Jason:

I know what you mean. There are so many great kits coming out that only a few years ago seemed out of reach or reality. The problem with building a stash is that confusion sets in. We want to see the kits in the stash built, and so we start with a plan on one, but then the going gets bogged down and we start another one and so it goes until there a lot of kits that are started but nothing finished. If you want the ultimate 1/200 1940 Bismarck. Clear your mind of clutter, put the first Bismarck away, get the hull out of sight, clear the bench and focus on the one build. You have your house that will interrupt you from time to time, but as long as you focus on the one build, the ultimate 1940 Bismarck, you will see it to fruition. There are way too many distractions to keep us from our hobby without the hobby being a major distraction. I enjoyed your 1/200 Arizona. I have been there, and now I do one at a time until it is done. I hope I don't sound preachy, but I truly understand how it is so easy to get in that cycle.

Good luck with the build.

[marengtech]

Hello Jason,

Who is the manufacturer of the hull details you have pictured?

Thanks

[Channell]

Mark- Yea, I am definitely in that place...

Gerry- The hull intake grills are from White Ensign.

[Indo Bismarck]

very nice work, will visit often to see your work

[Cobber]

I hope somebody wiil replay:

Is "the plain old Elmer'swhite glue" this one: Multipurpose Glue, Nontoxic, Plastic Bottle, 4 oz.,

regards

[Cliffy B]

That would be the plain old white Elmer's glue sir. You're good