The Ship Model Forum

The colour of turret tops was for air recognition purposes. Camouflage in general was only effective in certain areas so navies would experiment with what would be suitable or different areas. The stripes on Bismarck weren't so much for 'camouflage' as such but rather to hinder submarine attacks by trying to make it difficult to measure speed hence the false waves etc.

Bismarck was on trials in the baltic were the Germans feared attack from British submarines. Going into the Atlantic having the blatant stripes up and down the sides of the ship would make it stand out more in a grey Atlantic rather than blend in. The turret tips and swastika's were painted grey again to help hide her more. Coming into German air range the colours came back to ensure the German pilots went oh yep that's German.

So that's it basically

NigelR32 wrote:So, is that set in stone then... main Turret tops, Yellow, Secondary, Dark Grey?

Now, was the Yellow a bright yellow or like a Lufthansa Yellow, with a hint of orange. Was the Dark grey like dark sea grey, or as dark as RLM66 German grey?...

I'll get my coat....

I forgot to reply ... the yellow was most likely similar to RAL 1003, the dark grey similar to RAL 7024. An image search should give you an idea.

Happy painting ~ Olaf!

So haven't done much this week apart from painting the hull. Still not finished but here is where I am now.

Had to use the point and shoot so apologise for the grainy pics, I'll take some better ones later.

oh and one more

She looks great Anton!! Mind if I copy your paint scheme??

I have to ask... who won the wrestle, you or the Tamiya putty tube?? Looks pretty mangled!!

Thanks Nigel, please feel free

Hahaha yeah Bismarck 1 tamiya putty 0, reminds me I better get some more!

some clearer photos I promised earlier.

The starboard side is still behind a few steps in the weathering process compared to the port, hence why it looks quite harsh still.

Bismarck had no bow anchor at that time.

Herr Nilsson wrote:Bismarck had no bow anchor at that time.

Yes I know, I mentioned earlier I prefer the anchor in place purely as an aesthetic view.
I like the imposing look straight on with the stem anchor in place. It's only tacked on, so I may change my mind later.

See how the bow waves appear rounded off in some shots?

Means, you got it right!


Happy painting ~ Olaf!

Olaf Held wrote:See how the bow waves appear rounded off in some shots?

Means, you got it right!


Happy painting ~ Olaf!

Please explain??? I am missing something here....

Olaf Held wrote:See how the bow waves appear rounded off in some shots?

Means, you got it right!


Happy painting ~ Olaf!

Woohoo! Hahaha you know I never even realised until now!

Thank god for that, making the templates right took me ages.

@nigel - there are rumours lurking around that both bow waves were rounded off forward when the ship was repainted in Norway. Another trick of photography as seen with my pics especially the head on ones as they give the same perspective that the waves are rounded off.

Perth_shipyard wrote:

Olaf Held wrote:See how the bow waves appear rounded off in some shots?

Means, you got it right!


Happy painting ~ Olaf!

@nigel - there are rumours lurking around that both bow waves were rounded off forward when the ship was repainted in Norway. Another trick of photography as seen with my pics especially the head on ones as they give the same perspective that the waves are rounded off.

Aha!! I see now. Just goes to show how cameras can fool us eh??

Ok so all the hull details above the waterline have been taped down with tamiya masking tape - love that stuff! With some great info from Bernd and his amazing hull I've joined Nigel's madness and turned the hull over. While I'm still contemplating having her in a waterline display with such a large model it almost seems silly not to display her full technical glory, so I'll be adding in the detail to the bottom of the hull. Knowing it should be there is just killing me by not having it on the model.

I'll post some pics later tonight of how this will be all done. Luckily I never glue anything done until the end so I can easily work on all sections without damaging another

Perth_shipyard wrote:Ok so all the hull details above the waterline have been taped down with tamiya masking tape - love that stuff! With some great info from Bernd and his amazing hull I've joined Nigel's madness and turned the hull over. While I'm still contemplating having her in a waterline display with such a large model it almost seems silly not to display her full technical glory, so I'll be adding in the detail to the bottom of the hull. Knowing it should be there is just killing me by not having it on the model.

I'll post some pics later tonight of how this will be all done. Luckily I never glue anything done until the end so I can easily work on all sections without damaging another

Bismarck madness strikes again!



Somebody tell me why I wanna do this too?!

Because we're all mad

Perth_shipyard wrote:Because we're all mad

You speak for yourself!! I'm completely sane.

Didn't you know every grown man spend his life at the workbench making plastic replicas of old ships from scraps of plastic card!!

The all-consuming madness has a name...it's called BISMARCK OBSESSION !

First sufferers spend all of their time...and then all of their money. Eventually their eyes become glazed over as they lose touch with reality, and dwell only in the lost world of Bismarck.

Trust me, I'm a doctor.

Hey Anton,

Whats happening?? We haven't heard from you in a while??

I'm wondering too... though I can certainly understand if things have stalled.

This kit has sparked A LOT of interest but it is just about the biggest, most complicated model project someone can buy in a box, especially with aftermarket add-ons. It's gonna be a while before we see finished Bismarks online...especially from those who are modding their ships (which seems like just about everyone!).

I'm already feeling a bit overwhelmed with mine and have been seriously contemplating putting it away to unwind a bit and allow the aftermarket to catch up.

We Bissy builders might have to do some hardcore, manly hand-holding and bouts of heavy drinking to survive our builds and see them through to the end.