Pontosmodel 1/200 Bismarck Detail Up Set

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Hi Kim,

I see that you have new portholes for the stern of the ship. Does the standard kit also include them for the Bow protholes as well?

[Tobori]

Hello,
I decided to take the dive and bought the Pontos 1/200 Bismark set. Is this the proper area where to ask questions concerning this set or is there another forum available for that? I notice Mr. Kim responds here. Should I start a new topic? This set is very complicated and the instructions (as is the usual case with PE sets) have very limited written info. Just want to know where I can post help messages.
Thanks.

[Pontosmodel]

Hi Kim,

I see that you have new portholes for the stern of the ship. Does the standard kit also include them for the Bow protholes as well?

Well as I undesratad port holes mean windows scuttles.
We don't supply windows location diagram but this set includes various circular type Window PE parts enough quantity.

Thank you
Kim

[Pontosmodel]

Hello,
I decided to take the dive and bought the Pontos 1/200 Bismark set. Is this the proper area where to ask questions concerning this set or is there another forum available for that? I notice Mr. Kim responds here. Should I start a new topic? This set is very complicated and the instructions (as is the usual case with PE sets) have very limited written info. Just want to know where I can post help messages.
Thanks.

Well we try to reply for your questions about our 1/200 Bismarck set at this thread if possible.
But for the Works in progress section maybe helpful for your own works.

Thank you
Kim

[Tobori]

Ok, I ran into my first problem. I decided to start my build with the first small parts on the kit instructions. These include kit part L36 (Intake III). They call for the included kit PE to be installed on L36. The equivalent Pontos parts which are much finer and nicer are part number 287. The problem is almost every one of the parts 287 are missing the vent vanes. There are a couple that do have them but the others I think were over-etched. Some have very tiny fillaments, most are broken and curled up and just look improperly etched since the good ones have thicker vanes. How can I get these replaced, and for that matter, how can I get replacements if other parts are bad?
I would just use the kit parts but Pontos' are much nicer and I did spend a lot of money for them.
Thanks.

[Pontosmodel]

Ok, I ran into my first problem. I decided to start my build with the first small parts on the kit instructions. These include kit part L36 (Intake III). They call for the included kit PE to be installed on L36. The equivalent Pontos parts which are much finer and nicer are part number 287. The problem is almost every one of the parts 287 are missing the vent vanes. There are a couple that do have them but the others I think were over-etched. Some have very tiny fillaments, most are broken and curled up and just look improperly etched since the good ones have thicker vanes. How can I get these replaced, and for that matter, how can I get replacements if other parts are bad?
I would just use the kit parts but Pontos' are much nicer and I did spend a lot of money for them.
Thanks.

As for the After sale service for replacement as broken, lost or missed parts, please contact our email help@pontosmodel.com.
Thank you
Kim

[Tobori]

The Pontos set is very good, no doubt about that. However, if one does not have a lot ( and I mean a LOT) of pictures, informations, and research (as well as a very good loupe), a great part of the supplied PE will go unused. Kim even admitted that there are parts supplied which are not shown on the "instructions!". This is already tough without the many mistakes in numbering on the instructions. Prepare to spend a lot of time to find the right parts and prepare to never find some of them!

That said, the set is still worth the money and the additional time. But there is no reason on earth why any company should not supply the paying customer with a decent set of instructions instead of a puzzle. I rather spend my time building than searching.

Dietrich

PS: regarding the Trumpeter set I am very happy. it has never bothered me if a turret is 2 mm out of position because I never measured. Looking forward to the one coming!

PPS: after reading the post below I need to add that some of the turned brass was also missing, some was bent, and no dry transfers at all! But I got the life savers! Yesterday I tried to assemble the 20 mm Flak with the instructions given ... No chance at all!

I agree. Such a bummer that PE set manufacturers don't spend more time on instrutions and pictures. I just started building this kit with the Pontos set and I can already tell there will have to be a lot of puzzle solving. I have been building models for many years and usually spend much more time doing research for accuracy than actually building the kit. Until recently I decided to just have fun. Enjoy building. Screw accuracy. But because of lack of instructions, I still find myself spending LOTS of time trying to figure out how to work with the PE. It's bad enough that you have to guess where most of the stuff goes, but you also have to figure out how to fold and create things with the PE because of little to no instructions/illustrations. Fold someting wrong and just try to unfold it to re-fold it. You end up with a handfull of useless tiny pieces.
This is my first Pontos purchase and I was hoping that the documentation was better than all the others I've tried. Sadly, not the case. The quality and materials are fantastic. Just wish they provided more literature.

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Hello again Kim,
I know you guys at Pontos are probably very busy on production for your other PE kits, but I was wondering if you guys had put together any plans for what will be included with the Advanced Bismarck PE set you spoke of Earlier. One of the things I really loved when working with the LionRoar kit for the Revell 1/350 was that they supplied all new Super structure support beams for the Admirals Bridge platforms and Funnel platforms. Would you consider supplying these as well in your advanced kit for the 1/200? They really help bring an unsurpassed level of detail and realism to the model.
http://3dhistory.de/wordpress/wp-conten ... 2_0054.jpg
http://3dhistory.de/wordpress/wp-conten ... 3_0053.jpg
http://3dhistory.de/wordpress/wp-conten ... 3_0053.jpg
http://3dhistory.de/wordpress/wp-conten ... 0_0033.jpg

Also, around the Open bridge and Captains bridge there are all sorts of little instruments and details that were missed by Trumpeter, I can supply a photo of some of these if need be, but would you consider supplying those as well?

Dana

[Tobori]

Hello again,
I have a question concerning ladders. The Pontos kit includes many ladders and climbing rungs, and the placements are indicated. Were enough of these included to replace all ladders and rungs? For instance, in the instructions, a picture where parts no. 409 and 411 are indicated, there are a couple of ladders very close to those parts that I cannot find a part number indicated. Perhaps I totally missed it in all the other pictures, but if this is not the case, how can one tell which ladders to use there? Also, right next to those ladders there is a ladder molded into the plastic that does not indicate any PE, but in other similar molded ladders, there is PE for them. Were some of these skipped for a reason, or are there optional ladders included for these unmentioned locations?
Thanks

[alang]

Hi Tobori,
I have been through the same problem. I cannot guarantee but have used the following Pontos part numbers to replace those supplied by Trumpeter:-
Trumpeter part number followed by Pontos (and the first listed is that refereed to by you)
PE-C4...681
PE-C5...697
PE-D9...682 & 688
PE-B2...696
PE-C2...695
PE-D10...689 & 683

Thats as far as l have got - no dougbt there will be others.
Hope its of help

Alan

[Tobori]

Hi Tobori,
I have been through the same problem. I cannot guarantee but have used the following Pontos part numbers to replace those supplied by Trumpeter:-
Trumpeter part number followed by Pontos (and the first listed is that refereed to by you)
PE-C4...681
PE-C5...697
PE-D9...682 & 688
PE-B2...696
PE-C2...695
PE-D10...689 & 683

Thats as far as l have got - no dougbt there will be others.
Hope its of help

Alan

Thank you Alan. I really appreciate your help. We should get paid as beta testers!

[Pontosmodel]

We would arrange the whole ladders soon on the correction manual.
And you who are digging our sets are not the beta testers but our dear creative customers.

Thank you
Kim

[Tobori]

Thanks Kim!
When will that manual be available? Also, when will the "deluxe" parts be released?

[alang]

Hi Tobori and other modellers of Bismarck

Thanks for the PM Tobori.
If you are asking Pontos for replacement parts then you will also need to ask for 2 more part number 355 as you will be short of these and 4 of 127 as these are short in number as well (should be 8 and only 4 supplied) I don't understand that on some parts there are extras - spares ? -even duplications (833, 834, 835, 836, 837, 838, 839, 840, 841, 842, 843, 844, 845, 846, 847, 849) yet on others we are short on requirements. Some parts are even supplied but not mentioned anywhere on the instruction sheets!

Mr.Kim.
Having spent a long time on this set now l really feel that this complete package was rushed in its release to please the people on this forum and you would have been better off just explaining the delay to future customers. Surely now would be the time to update and revamp the frets with a complete reprint of the instruction sheets covering the many missed parts.
On first looking at the many Pontos sets available they look out of this world but if the others are anything like this Bismarck set then l have extreme reservations. No l am not a newby and have used sets by WEM/Lion Roar and Flyhawk but have never had these sort of ongoing problems before.

Please, please, please look at giving much more help and guidance for your grateful customers.

Regards
Alan

[alang]

Hi Mr. Kim

Question still unanswered from 15th June - any chance of guidance ?
Can you advise part number for ladder that fits to part Z5 of kit - above ladders 698 and 705 shown on page 8 of instructions (extreme bottom centre of page) Would it be 704 ??

Extra question re step ladders. Two are shown fitted to the rear facing area on kit part number B1 - what are the part numbers please ??? I can find a longer one that will fit but am stumped on the short one so perhaps guidance on both would help.

Thanks
Alan

[Tobori]

Hello Mr. Kim,
I am working on the wing bridge PE. Is there any way you can provide mere detailed directions on the assembly? The bridge wings included in the kit are mounted with 2 small pins that allow them to swivel. How are are yours mounted?
Also, is there an estimate as to when more detailed instructions might be available?
Thanks.

[alang]

Heads up everyone - new page 9 (correction sheet) on Pontos webb site. Shows ladders and steps as requested.
Why not post a link on this page Mr.Kim to get everybody's attention??????

Mr. Kim
As for ladders l see that you advise part 703 for kit part B1 but no mention of the short ladder also shown fitted on page 8 of instructions - has this been missed off the frets?.

Alan

[modelmanuk]

http://pontosmodel.com/manual/23001f1-page9.pdf

you mean this link

[Pontosmodel]

Thank you Alan and Tobori for your comments for corrections.
I've tried to add and edit these cocorrections from customers.

And now we are waiting to get the correction PE parts from Etcher.
And the final correction sheet will also be printed at next week.
So we will try to ship these correction pack (correction PE frets and printed Manual #9) to our dealers and custemers as soon as possible.

Thank you
Kim

[Tobori]

I look forward to the updated set and docs. As is, I feel this set is too confusing and difficult to work with and decided to stash this project until you update it. It's a shame because I looked forward to building this kit with the Pontos set, saved up the big bucks, and now have to abandon it until this set is "finished". Please keep us updated when any updates/upgrades are available for shipping.