The Ship Model Forum

Hi all,

I managed to get a hold of Tamiya's Bismarck a few days ago, bought a wooden deck and got a small photo etch kit. Being my first ship model and first time with photo etch I didn't want to go crazy and get a large photo etch kit.

Here's where I've gotten a little stuck:
While looking through the manual Tamiya provides, It suggests to use Tamiya's XF-54 (Dark Sea Grey) for the hull and superstructure but mid-way spraying the hull I started to realise it looked a bit dark compared the art on the box and some reference pics I was looking at. I was just wondering if anyone that knows or has built a version of the Bismarck would have any information/advise on what colour I should paint the hull and superstructure? I was considering Tamiya's XF-66 (Light grey) for the superstructure and hull as that seemed to be a lighter shade of grey and looks to match the box art and reference pictures.

Thanks Dan

Welcome aboard, you will find the folks on here very friendly and informative.

FYI, the hull and superstructure were different shades of grey, you will find further information here -

http://www.kbismarck.com/drawings.html

and here -

http://www.bismarck-class.dk/paint_schemes/introduction.html

Hope this helps you!

And don't forget, the only stupid question is the one you fail to ask!

Cheers, Jabb

_________________
HMS Hood, the big one!

I used to be indecisive, now I'm not so sure.

Oh wow thanks for the reply and the information. Those links helped out massively especially with the false wave markings. Also if I'm honest I didn't really notice the different shades of grey but those images make is a lot easier to see. Thanks once again helped a lot!

Do not use Tamiya paints for the ship they are not accurate and no where near what the Bismarck was painted in. Look into Sovereign Hobbies Colour Coats that sell the closest to the actual paints the Germans used.

The Bismarck's hull was painted a totally different colour to its superstructure.

The hull was painted in Dunkelgrau 51, which was darker and bluer:



... than the superstructure which was Hellgrau 50.

_________________
James Duff
Sovereign Hobbies Ltd
http://www.sovereignhobbies.co.uk

Current build:
HMS Imperial D09 1/350
http://www.shipmodels.info/mws_forum/viewtopic.php?f=59&t=167151

Welcome to the forum Dan! Just saying that if you are going to fix errors, do some scratch-building and super-detailing the model, I would recommend Revell version as it is much more accurate. Anyway please just build the model the way you wanted it to look! Good luck with your build!

Aop

_________________
On the way:
--1/350 Tamiya DKM Tirpitz Nov 1944

--1/350 scratch-build HMS Lion never built battleship (1938)

And our artworks!

I found a very close match here https://www.migjimenez.com/en/acrylic-c ... n-set.html