The Ship Model Forum

I wonder if you can help please Anton...

Would it be possible, using a drill shank, for you to tell me what size the bore of the portholes are in the Ka set please.

I couldn't resist and made a start on my hull. The two Bow pieces were warped and were a nightmare to straighten out. I want to sort the awful portholes next...

Sure thing Nigel. A 2mm drill bitt fits into the larger portholes like the hill and superstructure nicely. Or 5/64" in old money is just a tad to big to fit. The smaller portholeson the superstructure a 1mm drill bitt or 3/64" will fit into.

The water outlets which run along the hull just above the boot topping I plan to use a 1/32" drill bitt. They dont appear on plans but are obviously there as on all ships. I used a few photos which showed roughly where they are and also compared against the photos of Josef Kaiser's model. I used the same bitt to drill the two exhausts on the stern.

When I get home I can draw up where I plan to place them. Unless Herr Nilsson or Olaf have good info to share on this - I held off Incase it popped up somewhere.

Perth_shipyard wrote:Sure thing Nigel. A 2mm drill bitt fits into the larger portholes like the hill and superstructure nicely. Or 5/64" in old money is just a tad to big to fit. The smaller portholeson the superstructure a 1mm drill bitt or 3/64" will fit into.

Thanks very much for that Anton, I'm steering toward the Ka set as it is available for �150 here in the UK, which is very good compared to the prices on Ebay at the moment. As a side note, If I bought the other 4 sets would it be the same as buying the Deluxe set? I don't think you get the decals?? It's a little difficult to work out just what you get, for example, in the mast set they show a picture of 18 turned brass parts, but make no mention in the listing??

I cannot believe you're on your first day back at work, and still posting!! great stuff!!

Hahaha I get emails when a post is placed! So can't help but look luckily I'm my own boss now - not in the navy anymore

Ok so in the deluxe set you do get more items then buying them separately plus it worked out cheaper, here in Australia anyway. I paid $199AU without postage so your �150 is perfect! Yeah I never buy from fleabay - you get ripped off too much!

Ok so my KA set -
AC detail up set
Wooden decks, PE decks for after superstructure to replace some plastic pieces, funnel platforms and catwalks. Radars, railings all the correct two, three solid and chain rails for different sections of the ship. PE catapult plus catapult base, all port scuttles with and without covers all with eyebrows, ladders - inclined, vertical and ring type. All superstructure vents with hatches. Crane cradles with support platforms, life rings(both plain red and red with Bismarck printed) and life ring mounts. Painted PE for internal Arado cockpit, also frames and wing edges so you can cut the wings in have folded. Brass turned paravenes with PE parts replacing the molded plastic kit ones. Full cabin, deck and interior details for all the ships boats. Replacement vents for deck vents and turret barbette vents including correct catwalks and railing. Searchlight screens and hand wheels, replacement catwalks and rails for the boat supports on all three hangers. Boat chocks for the cutters on the main deck. All capstans and reels are replaced with PE and resin parts, also the davits on deck for the cutters are from resin with PE bloxks and rigging which are finer than the kit parts. Both ships horns and bell are from turned brass. And scale anchor and tie down chains.

TU armament detail up set
All barrels for all guns, 8x 380mm main guns, 12x 150mm gun, 16x 37mm gun, 16x 105mm gun, 20x 20mm guns and 20x 20mm gun mounts are all turned brass replacing the plastic kit parts. Shells for the 380mm guns are also provided - there 12 from memory.
Out of resin are the canvas covers for the 380mm and 150mm guns.
PE parts replace all the kits ladders and rails. PE is also supplied for the Bruno, c�sar & Dora turret rangefinder windows. Other ladders, shackles, seats and 20mm gun mounts supplied. Oh and the shell case for the 20mm guns.

MA mast detail up set
All masts and yards are replaced with turned brass. PE for brackets ladders and foot rope supports, and lookouts and catwalks. Basically the masts and rangefinder masts are all completely replaced not using the kit parts.

The decals give you the swastikas with the red banner to fit over deck parts. Kreigsmarine red battle ensign with swastika, all plane markings for the four planes onboard and the white depth markings for the hull. These are cool but would have been better if dry transfer and not water transfe as they're glossy but can easily dull them up.

I think that's everything?!?

Thanks for your reply Anton,

A very detailed reply indeed!!

I found the set on Hannants for �150, but they sold all their stock before it was even delivered!! I found a place that had one set left in stock, for �150 with free P+P so I went for that. The site listed one in stock, now it lists 0 in stock.. I don't usually have that luck.

I found this review on the 'net, the best I've seen for the set... http://www.modell-helling.de/node/606 Those Arado interiors are awesome!!!

Anyway, back to the kit... I think the Bow is the wrong shape under the waterline? Trumpeter have moulded on a "disc" which I cannot see on the photo's. There also seems to be more of a bulge than Trumpeter have depicted? What do you think??

Not a problem. The bows bulb could possibly be more defined and the edge could be sharper, but personally from so many photos - depending on the light and shadow play... I'm reasonably happy with it ( couldn't be arsed changing as I was originally planing a waterline model)

That disc is there and actually should be more pronounced.


Bismarck was fitted for minesweeping hence the paravenes mounted along the superstructure. This disc would open and a paravene boom would come out for hich the paravenes where attached.

Perhaps hitler thought both the USN and RN would be so intimidated by the Bismarck and Tirpitz they could sail her right into allied mined waters ;-p

Thanks again for that info Anton.

I have the AOTS book on order, but it's not yet here. It looks like I need it big time!! I really do know nothing about this big old boat!!

hahaha well if start by calling her a ship.... ;-p

Just be careful with the AOTS book, it's great for structural details and the armaments and night finders and scopes but misses the finer details of the funnel and there is nothing on the catapult. The details are there but not in depth. While much much smaller scale the plans in the ship craft book are far more detailed but also don't really outline what things are! I think all these publishers are in cahoots! they want us modellers to buy 10 books to build one model! hahaha

here's another view of her hull in dry dock for you Nigel.

Thanks Anton,

MES???

I borrowed that pic from another site/post. It's the supposed MES cable (degaussing cable "Magnetischer Eigenschutz) - but as with nearly everything Bismarck, not enough information and the photo isn't clear enough.

more stuff on the parvenu boom for you below.

possible spots for the hull scuttles. These I've deduced from various photo's of the Bismarck. Not sure if the port side was also the same as I can't find any info on them. On the deck between the hull edge and the planked deck were grills where the water would go down exiting out of those hull scuttles. I assume there would be a grill on the coaming in line with every scuttle in the hull. Perhaps Olaf of Herr Nilsson can add and or correct?

Thanks for all your help here Anton.

I am making some measurements and comparisons. It would appear that Trumpeter got the bow shape a little out of shape on the kit.

Luckily, it looks like it can all be fixed with adjustments to the two off separate parts, fairly major adjustments mind you. I could be tempted to make a resin copy of my corrected Bow if anyone wants an easy fix??

I've sent you a PM with regard to this mod and the accuracy of my references...

So many questions, you're just building too fast for all the things to look up. Just one thing regarding the degaussing cable. As I have learned recently, it wasn't visible from the outside, so don't worry about it.

Happy modelling ~ Olaf!

NigelR32 wrote:Thanks for all your help here Anton.

I am making some measurements and comparisons. It would appear that Trumpeter got the bow shape a little out of shape on the kit.

Luckily, it looks like it can all be fixed with adjustments to the two off separate parts, fairly major adjustments mind you. I could be tempted to make a resin copy of my corrected Bow if anyone wants an easy fix??

I've sent you a PM with regard to this mod and the accuracy of my references...

Is the bow the wrong shape on the trumpeter model?

BobaFettSlave_1 wrote:

NigelR32 wrote:Thanks for all your help here Anton.

I am making some measurements and comparisons. It would appear that Trumpeter got the bow shape a little out of shape on the kit.

Luckily, it looks like it can all be fixed with adjustments to the two off separate parts, fairly major adjustments mind you. I could be tempted to make a resin copy of my corrected Bow if anyone wants an easy fix??

I've sent you a PM with regard to this mod and the accuracy of my references...

Is the bow the wrong shape on the trumpeter model?

In a word Bob.........................Yes. It's funny in a way, I am an aircraft modeller and have had issues with Trumpeters accuracy on some kits, normally with the nose profile!! P-51B, F-105, A-10, Su27, F-4U and A-7 to name a few, all in 1/32 scale.

I have compared some drawings found on the net, along with some Pictures, and am convinced the Bow is wrong. I originally thought it was only under the waterline, around the area of the bulge, (I'm sure it has a name, but I don't know it), but it's actually the whole Bow, for about 5 inches back from top to bottom. Looking at it, front on is what I'm talking about.

I'll put a thread up tonight or tomorrow and show you what I mean. I think, when I point it out, you'll say, "Oh yeah!!"..........

Simply put bob, the bow needs to be sanded to a sharper edge though at the same time keeping the bulbous bows pronounced even more. Side on the shape is fine.

Perth_shipyard wrote:Simply put bob, the bow needs to be sanded to a sharper edge though at the same time keeping the bulbous bows pronounced even more. Side on the shape is fine.

In my opinion, there is more than just sanding required. I have tried this, and it still doesn't look curvy enough....

The Hull needs to be pinched in half way up, and the bulge needs material added to make it "thicker".

Ah, yes. I get/see what you mean. In sanding out the inperfections and filling in and redrilling the stem anchor hole I did a little bit of fixing to this area, thining out the edge like Perth has suggested. It looks better, but wont be able to tell for sure till the anchor cluses are beefed up and a coat of primer is added.

I'm sure you already know, but sometimes photos and film taken at odd angles, like the ones above, can sometimes tend to slightly alter the look of an actual object from what it actually is (all sorts of things come into play such as lighting, and shadows, and depth). Take photos of your hull in roughly the same angle to what the period photos are of the actual ship, and see how they compare vs comparing photos to what your eyes are seeing. At the very least to not do irreparable harm to a very expensive hull

Dana