Calling all Kriegsmarine Prinz Eugen, Admiral Hipper & Blücher fans

[Russelle]

Hi
I'm backdating Trumpy's Prinz Eugen Kit to 1941 fit and as such I understand the forward range finders were exposed (3m and 4m?)
Can anyone point me in the direction of drawings or aftermarket kits of these as I cannot seem to find either?

Thanks.

[Sutho]

Hi
I'm backdating Trumpy's Prinz Eugen Kit to 1941 fit and as such I understand the forward range finders were exposed (3m and 4m?)
Can anyone point me in the direction of drawings or aftermarket kits of these as I cannot seem to find either?

Thanks.

I did it by taking parts from a Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck kit that I had as an extra kit for such tasks due to a very good sale price. The previously known WEM photo etch for the Prinz Eugen had the appropriate parts and I believe Toms Modelworks now has the licence for this.

[Guest]

Currently working on the same thing.

I got the rangefinders from a Dragon Z-32 destroyer, which came with an extra set (not sure if this was intentional or I just got lucky).

Also theres a smaller set of rangefinders just behind the main ones which should be exposed in the 1941 configuration, but comes in a boxy housing for the '45 version. I think these can be replaced with the Veteran Models directors and rangefinders set.

Also get the Veteran Modes Kriegsmarine searchlight set to replace the Flakvierlings.

Curently my main challenge is to build the protective domes for the funnel mounted searchlights. Taking measurements from the Bismarck kit, I think I'll try to sculpt them in CAD and have them 3d printed.

One last thing is to change is the searchlight patform on the conning tower. The WEM PE set has the correct repacement with railing (though I suppose it would fairly simple to remove the solid plastic splinter shild and repace it with PE railing.

And of course AA armament and radars need to be backdated to the correct configuration. :)

[Russelle]

I got the range finders from Revell's spares department! Tick for Revell! :)

For the search light domes, use the spare set of range finder domes as they are the same diameter. Then you just need to scratch build the section to the funnel from sheet Styrene.

Currently I'm building the ship's boats and the kit parts are pretty uninspired to say the least.

I've been thinking about modelling them up in 3d CAD and getting them printed on Shapeways or a similar service. Can I get a show of hands please from anyone else who would be interested in having these available as AM items, before I commit to investing the time and money required to do this?

[biggles2]

Currently I'm building the ship's boats and the kit parts are pretty uninspired to say the least.

I've been thinking about modelling them up in 3d CAD and getting them printed on Shapeways or a similar service. Can I get a show of hands please from anyone else who would be interested in having these available as AM items, before I commit to investing the time and money required to do this?

I would welcome a better set of boats for Prinz Eugen (this is 1/350, right?). I've just returned to working on my model after having shelved it for almost 10 years.

[Rusty H]

Hi Biggles2!

yes, I would model them up in 1/350 as that is the only scale I'm familiar with in terms of ships boats.

At the moment though, sourcing the plans is proving challenging-can anyone recommend where to find them?

Russelle

[biggles2]

Maybe you could cheat a bit and use Dragon's boats from Scharnhorst and their German Zerstorers as reference.

[Rusty H]

Hi Biggles2

unfortunately I don't have Dragon's kits available

Thanks David

PM on its way

Russ

[poulw]

Hi,
I am scratchbuilding the Prinz at the moment in scale 1/200, and in between I am trying to find out the correct paint scheme for 1945 - at the surrender in Copengagen.
One thing I cannot figure out is if the ship actually had a black waterline.
From the photos taken at the the ship's launch, where the bottom is completely exposed, it doesn't look like it.
All the other photos I have of the ship she is too deep in the water to be conclusive.
Does anyone have any information on this?

[maxim]

German ships of that time never had a black waterline. It was always dark grey. According to Eric Leon & John Asmussen, German Naval Camouflage 1942-1945, the waterline was darker than the dark grey above.

[poulw]

Thanks a lot maxim

[Dan Banks]

Hello Poul, the dark grey waterline color was called out in KM regulations as RAL7016. I don't know what paint line you prefer but it is available from most that deal in naval paints. I like colorcoats because it leaves a slight sheen, which replicates the antifouling agents in the paint.

[Sauerteig]

Hey everybody,

I have the trumpeter 1:350 kit in my stash, and have taken due note of the messages setting forth modications needed to backdate the glorious Prinz Eugen to 1941. Since then, there are some excitiing aftermarket products to be had, namely this:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/GKLRM ... ngefinders

I wanted to know if I needed to get anything else besides this for this backdating purpose.

I have also noted this prodcut:

https://www.shapeways.com/product/EKWL8 ... ngefinders

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help!

Edit: after reviewing the thread in question, the notes say step 14 requires "searchlight platforms, with hemispherical rotatable covers." AM I correct to presume these will fit the bill? https://www.shapeways.com/product/EKWL8 ... ngefinders

[ModelMonkey]

....after reviewing the thread in question, the notes say step 14 requires "searchlight platforms, with hemispherical rotatable covers." AM I correct to presume these will fit the bill? https://www.shapeways.com/product/EKWL8 ... ngefinders

I think this product will better meet your 1941 searchlight cover needs:

http://shpws.me/ON7Z

Thanks!

[rvuorenr]

Hi,

Just started to work on Eugen and decided to build it as in early May -41. Unfortunately I can't find too many detailed photos from this time and wonder if anyone knows what these tubes are - in Trumpys kit part F7. I can't see them in early photos, although it is maybe because of the poor quality, but on the late US photos they are clearly visible.

Risto

[Guest]

Only a guess. Containers to hold cleaning rods for the guns.

[maxim]

Or containers for replacement barrels?

[Admhawk]

They are booms for deploying the Paravane located on the Port side, just in front of them.
They could also be used as a davit for hoisting items up the side of the hull.

[rvuorenr]

They are booms for deploying the Paravane located on the Port side, just in front of them.
They could also be used as a davit for hoisting items up the side of the hull.

Thanks, are you referring to the top two light gray rods?

My question is about the dark gray tube closest to the deck (or on deck), which looks more like a container than a hoist. As there are such tubes close to all main turrets the container for cleaning rods seems quite likely explanation.

[DrPR]

Did they use "cleaning rods?" We're not talking about a pistol you carry around on your waist. Large naval guns are very long, and a "cleaning rod" would have to be even longer. This would be cumbersome to handle on the deck of a ship - or the top of a lower turret.

I have seen photos of sailors pulling a bundle of rags or a brush on a rope through the barrels of battleship guns.

Phil