Pontosmodel 1/200 Bismarck Detail Up Set

[Pontosmodel]

I am sorry in replying or posting in these days.
"Advanced set" is going well but there are some problems in preparing.
The first is we are waiting new tooled Screws for gold plating.
Now the 3 blade shapes are finalized and waiting for mass producing with gold plate.

Second problem is also mastering Funnel.
Mainly because we are seriously thinking of casting new Funnel with Resin.
THese two matters have delayed the releasing of Advanced set.
And Advanced set is in my charge so our other Designers have been doing their own project.
Anyway I am trying to release this set as soon as possible.

And as for the Instruction we updated with Correction manual pages.
We don't touch the original pages of instruction because this touching may make confusing for customer what is corrected on main pages or not. So please refer correction pages first.

And as for the correction set shipping.
We have shipped the correction set direct to any buyer or dealer.
So if you have not received yet please contact our email at any time.

KGV series we closed on the detail pages temporalily for some reasons. but if you contact us personally we will let you know the link pages.

Thank you for your patience.

Keumho Kim

[Channell]

I'm getting stuff together for a second Bismarck and got my Pontos Basic set in the mail the other day. Gotta say, it's a great piece of work... the brass especially! I'm pleased to see you guys tackled things many other aftermarket suppliers have ignored like the bollards, flagpoles and boat booms. Sure, it ain't perfect but I really don't feel all the flak you are getting is deserved, Kim. I'm a happy customer!

I would love to get an idea on what the advanced set is going to contain so I can plan ahead though!

[alang]

Thank you for a reply Mr Kim but you still miss the point.
Many, many, many parts numbers are missing from your instructions and l among others have updated and improved your instruction sheets over the past few months mentioning many aspects on this site and l have even emailed you one of the sheets and advised that l would be quite happy for yourselves to use them if you so wish - l did not even get an acknowledgment to say they had been received. If you care to actually study these sheets you would see that they would not cause confusion because they actually show where parts numbers have been corrected. I mentioned the existent of these improved and corrected sheets on this site and got a long list of requests for them.
Many of us have tried to help with improving the instructions on this set which would improve it greatly but get the distinct impression that although you say you listen to comments you do not want to hear criticism.

The set itself is outstanding in quality and content but is very badly let down by its incorrect and lack of instructions. Its such a shame when it can so easily be corrected.
PLEASE - we are all just trying to help and make your sets better.

As a last comment - when anybody comes to assemble the catapult area all the machined brass components are wrongly numbered. They all require the number to be upped by one = part number 25 becomes 26, part number 26 becomes 27 etc etc.

[Pontosmodel]

I'm getting stuff together for a second Bismarck and got my Pontos Basic set in the mail the other day. Gotta say, it's a great piece of work... the brass especially! I'm pleased to see you guys tackled things many other aftermarket suppliers have ignored like the bollards, flagpoles and boat booms. Sure, it ain't perfect but I really don't feel all the flak you are getting is deserved, Kim. I'm a happy customer!

I would love to get an idea on what the advanced set is going to contain so I can plan ahead though!

Yep I had missed you might have no chance to meet our Bismarck set but I've excited to know you have selected as second set.
Good luck with your work.
Kim

Thank you for a reply Mr Kim but you still miss the point.
Many, many, many parts numbers are missing from your instructions and l among others have updated and improved your instruction sheets over the past few months mentioning many aspects on this site and l have even emailed you one of the sheets and advised that l would be quite happy for yourselves to use them if you so wish - l did not even get an acknowledgment to say they had been received. If you care to actually study these sheets you would see that they would not cause confusion because they actually show where parts numbers have been corrected. I mentioned the existent of these improved and corrected sheets on this site and got a long list of requests for them.
Many of us have tried to help with improving the instructions on this set which would improve it greatly but get the distinct impression that although you say you listen to comments you do not want to hear criticism.

The set itself is outstanding in quality and content but is very badly let down by its incorrect and lack of instructions. Its such a shame when it can so easily be corrected.
PLEASE - we are all just trying to help and make your sets better.

As a last comment - when anybody comes to assemble the catapult area all the machined brass components are wrongly numbered. They all require the number to be upped by one = part number 25 becomes 26, part number 26 becomes 27 etc etc.

Thank you Alang,
I've updated Correction Pages 9,10 and today I added Page11.
Any advice or suggestion for our set is welcomed.

Thank you
Kim

[alang]

Yet more corrections - this time on the staff bow.
The part numbers are correct but two parts are shown in the wrong position. In effect you assemble/fold up the four pieces which fit onto brass 31 but they go on in the order, 227, 232, 228 then 235.
On the drawing parts 228 and 227 are shown in the incorrect places - swap them round and will be correct. 227 fits half way up the mast and 228 roughly quarter way up - both against limit stops.

Alan

[alang]

I am nearing the end of my Bismarck and I have been tackling the launches(small boats) today.
The follow are corrections that l have discovered yet again.

Boat E31
Part No.799 should be 792.

Boat L9
Deck is part No.746. No.798 should be 762. 757 should be 759. 798 should be 762 and 812 should be 764.

Boat L30
77 should be 765. 766 should be 758. 802 should be 797. 759 should be 799 and 764 should be 812.
Also there are no etched holes to locate 772 and 773 (They are on E31 and L9)

I am well pleased with the way my Bismarck is looking but very VERY disappointed with Pontos. The parts themselves are top notch but the instructions and Pontos response to corrections and requests for help has been very poor.
Surely with the amount of corrections now it would be fairer to reprint the instructions completely so that any new purchasers of the set are not misled.
Previously Mr.Kim has said that he feels this would confuse the customer but surely from a customers viewpoint to make a purchase and find a host of corrections to do to instructions first is very off putting - even updating the download sheets to be the corrected ones surely would be a big step forward.

I had said before tackling this set that l placed Pontos at the top of the after market producers but after this saga l would warn anybody to be very careful - this set was good but you will need a crystal ball to assist. I have never had this amount of problems with any other make of detail set. In fact l am quite looking forward to starting a new ship (IJN) with a Flyhawk set as l have been very happy with them in the past.

All the best to everybody else with their Bismarck.

[amiers]

i agree on a reprint. if there is this many mistakes. i am not looking forward to starting mine in the new year.i love the Ponto's stuff but i just finished the Prince of wales and it was a nightmare with the instructions. it is starting to make me wonder if i should just go with other etch sets.

[Tobori]

Amiers,
Unfortunately most PE sets from several brands I've tried have meager instructions. Most have too little information, either too few diagrams, too few directions, or both. Often times you're left with a pile of parts that aren't mentioned in the directions at all. But this Pontos set is the first I've ever had that had so many verified errors in addition to too few directions and too few illustrations. I don't think Pontos knows how serious this is for them due to the fact that there are very few 1/200 scale models, and so few choices of PE sets for these kits. That alone gives them extra exposure. Those that are particularly interested in building a large scale model of the Bismarck and want to use PE, have very few choices in PE sets, one being Pontos and those that end up with a Pontos set will be very disappointed and turned off to purchasing other PE sets. So I think they better pay more attention to this PE set rather than start work on new sets as they have, if they care about their reputation. I for one will shy away from other Pontos sets even though I think they look amazing, unless they fix what I already paid money for.
So good luck with your choices.

[amiers]

Amiers,
Unfortunately most PE sets from several brands I've tried have meager instructions. Most have too little information, either too few diagrams, too few directions, or both. Often times you're left with a pile of parts that aren't mentioned in the directions at all. But this Pontos set is the first I've ever had that had so many verified errors in addition to too few directions and too few illustrations. I don't think Pontos knows how serious this is for them due to the fact that there are very few 1/200 scale models, and so few choices of PE sets for these kits. That alone gives them extra exposure. Those that are particularly interested in building a large scale model of the Bismarck and want to use PE, have very few choices in PE sets, one being Pontos and those that end up with a Pontos set will be very disappointed and turned off to purchasing other PE sets. So I think they better pay more attention to this PE set rather than start work on new sets as they have, if they care about their reputation. I for one will shy away from other Pontos sets even though I think they look amazing, unless they fix what I already paid money for.
So good luck with your choices.

I agree, and i was refering to thinking long and hard before buying more Ponto's in any scale. i wouldnt be so concerned if the sets were 30-50 dollars, but at well over a 100 you have to stop and think.

[Guest]

I'm holding out for the advanced set.

How about open hanger doors, and a extra set of Arado 196?
I don't have the model yet, but the hangers looks closed in pics, and there were 4 planes on board
just an idea to throw out there

Hello to everyone else,
I'm obviously new. You'll being seeing more of me as I venture in getting into building this ship

[MadAxeMan]

I'm holding out for the advanced set.

How about open hanger doors, and a extra set of Arado 196?
I don't have the model yet, but the hangers looks closed in pics, and there were 4 planes on board
just an idea to throw out there

Hello to everyone else,
I'm obviously new. You'll being seeing more of me as I venture in getting into building this ship

Sorry, guess I wasn't looked in. ^ that was me

[alang]

Hi
Four Arado are supplied with the Trumpeter kit plus the hanger doors can be left open.

Pity Pontos just ignore other comments on this site that have tried help them improve the instructions.

Ah well .............back to other makes of after market kits.

[Pontosmodel]

We always thank you for any comment of advice or feedback.
Now I temporarily joined and am helping other staffs in finalizing 1/200 Missouri project so it is hard to make little time for these thankful threads of comments.
After next week I will sicerely reply or show something about Bismarck or Advanced set.

I don't ignore you. even in this joinging Missouri project, Advanced set is in undergoing bit by bit.

Thank you again for your patience.

Keumho Kim

[MadAxeMan]

Hi
Four Arado are supplied with the Trumpeter kit plus the hanger doors can be left open.

My bad (I blame my noob status)
Looking at pics, I got the impression there was only 2 planes and the doors were molded shut. No wonder no one else brought it up.

Missouri?
That seems like such an after thought, while everyone is still waiting for Bismarck stuff
Instead of catching up, the focus is on trying to get ahead?
Your stuff looks very impressive! But it would seem many people are waiting for the Bismarck advanced just to get started (such as myself), and people that already jumped on the Bismarck basic are impatiently waiting for complete/corrected instructions.
But the Missouri (which is still in pre order status here) is getting full priority?

Should I be planning on doing the Missouri first? Then do the Bismarck later?
....seems backwards

[alang]

Well put MadAxeMan.
Regards
Alan

[Channell]

I'm getting started on my new Bismarck +pontos set... If you are taking suggestions Kim, I hope the advanced add-on will include conduit lines for the bulkheads... at least along the main deck as they are missing from the kit (but are molded on to the upper levels of the superstructure). PE would work or maybe even dry transfers. I'd also love to get the folding hatch covers for the skylights on the main deck and a litter box/water dish for Oscar the cat.

[Froggy35]

Come on guys, give Mister Kim a break.

He already released the best PE set for the Bismarck kit, then provided us with a free of charge update set (that I received, thanks, Mr Kim) and is constantly updating the Bismarck notice.

Do you know a lot of companies that are present on this forum and that accept to answer to your critics and take your remarks into account ? Not me.

Besides, there are so many good kits released today that it must be very difficult for his (small) company to follow the pace.

I am sure your stash is already full of unbuilt kits, that you could build while waiting for the Bismarck Advanced set, that surely will be released very soon...

[eyeno0]

I agree, Pontos are a rare breed of manufacturer that encourage feedback and accept critical comment.
Sure, they get things wrong, but what the heck? I have the MK1 set and it's full of errors, but you get to take it or leave it. I for one am looking forward to the Advanced Set, bring it on. These sets are amazingly cheap for what you get and I would rather handle a little head scratching, than more Dollars.

[Dietrich]

For me it is part of the fun to study the original documentation, the PE-sets, and the supplied plastic parts and come up with a solution step by step. This is like really "building", not just glueing together. And who care if one part is of incorrect shape or it take longer to find? Or one has to improvise in another way? Isn'tg that part of this great hobby?
Pontos is a great company and only if you are doing something you have the "opportunity" to do something wrong. Pontos has given us more pleasure than headache, that much is a fact!

Dietrich

[alang]

I agree with all the comments that Pontos sets are superb....... but what l cannot get my head around is the fact that several of us on here have actually rewritten the instruction sheets for them, correcting all the mistakes and going to the extent of adding many more part numbers and more guidance for the modeler, then sent copy to them for their use if they so desire but they totally ignore this act. So in effect by their lack of comments on this site they are in effect saying 'yes we know our instructions are wrong and lacking in details but will not act on this' - which contradicts what they keep saying about helping the modeler.
Why oh why are they still issuing instruction sheets on line for download and printed with the kits knowing that they are wrong?????
Sorry but that l just cannot understand.