Calling all Bismarck and Tirpitz fans

[Will J]

Hi chaps,

This is a big thread so please forgive me if I missed it, but I'm just interested to know if there is a concensus as to which is the best current kit to model the Tirpitz in 1/700?

I have a mind to build the Lone Queen of the North again for the first time since childhood , so if any of you can reccomend a kit/PE combination that would build a reasonably accurate depiction of Tirpitz in her 1942 ish fit that would be brilliant!

Thanks again guys,

Will.

[mpgl62]

Hi chaps,

This is a big thread so please forgive me if I missed it, but I'm just interested to know if there is a concensus as to which is the best current kit to model the Tirpitz in 1/700?

I have a mind to build the Lone Queen of the North again for the first time since childhood , so if any of you can reccomend a kit/PE combination that would build a reasonably accurate depiction of Tirpitz in her 1942 ish fit that would be brilliant!

Thanks again guys,

Will.

Only Revell is a real Tirpitz, with some little omissions. Trumpeter, Dragon and Aoshima are badly adapted Bismarck.

Revell has three little errors. The profile of the bow must be more straight. The main director over the tower is a few little and has wrong shape. The tower level with two double 37 mm mounts, must be partially enclosed (after fall-winter 42).

For the others, errors are innumerable, wrong bow, wrong main deck, wrong Bruno and Caesar barbettes, little turrets' roof, wrong main hangar door, wrong superstructures around torpedoes and many omissions.......

Of course, each brand, can possess the best individual piece. For example, hydroplanes and 105 mm mounts of the Revell are not the best. But in a general overview Revell is too much superior.
Regards

[Will J]

That's brilliant thank you so much! What do you think would be a good PE set to go with it? Also, the FlyHawk mast set looks quite nice, is it worth getting?

[mpgl62]

That's brilliant thank you so much! What do you think would be a good PE set to go with it? Also, the FlyHawk mast set looks quite nice, is it worth getting?

About PE. I am not sure. I have the Voyager set for Trumpeter. It is nice, but it is necessary to adapt it in the Revell Kit. Initially, I was working with Trumpeter. But, I buyed Revell kit, and I use Trumpeter for some tests. And I am reused the PE.


Revell is full hull unfortunately without cut line.

[Guest]

The more I look at it the more I think it might be better to build a 1/350 Revell Tirpitz - it would be quite expensive to build it with all the works like PE, decks and gun barrels etc however it would certainly take a long time to finish to a good standard and what an imposing model it is at that scale! Definitely something to build a proper display case for!

[Will J]

The more I look at it the more I want to build the 1/350 Revell kit. It would be expensive to build it with all the works but it would take a long time to finish to a good standard - and what an imposing model it makes in that scale!

[Seeadler290]

The magnificent Pontos detail set for the 1:350 Revell Bismarck is now available at Pacific Front!

[kawubke]

Hallo all,

i need some assistance. I am running into a little question.

on the portside you can clearly see the firehose drum and Ladder Position.

on the only Picture of the starbord side i have found you can't see the Ladder (if there was any?). At the Spot of the Ladder on portside is a Hatch on starboard.

so my Question: if there was a Ladder were was placed?

any help is very welcome.

Greetings from Germany
Thomas

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Hallo all,

i need some assistance. I am running into a little question.

on the portside you can clearly see the firehose drum and Ladder Position.

athene-5wlipqke1ys10imb3gvo_layout.jpg

on the only Picture of the starbord side i have found you can't see the Ladder (if there was any?). At the Spot of the Ladder on portside is a Hatch on starboard.

gallbismstarboardmidshipsection14.jpg

so my Question: if there was a Ladder were was placed?

any help is very welcome.

Greetings from Germany
Thomas

If you look to the very right of the photo, you can see the strut support for the top of the ladder. I can take a look through Bismarck: Das Original Im Detail when I get home later, but I'm pretty sure the ladder is simply out of sight in the photo, due to the angle of the shot.

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Ok here is the shot of the ladder from the book (far right.)

I'm only going to leave it up for a little while cause of CC, but as you can see, its Just out of frame on the photo you posted

[kawubke]

Ok here is the shot of the ladder from the book (far right.)

thank you that helps alot

Greetings from Berlin
Thomas

[BobaFettSlave_1]

Ok, so I've just learned about the demise of White Ensign Models, and subsequently the loss of their ColourCoat paints. So has anyone been able to find a nice replacement for Dunkelgrau 51 and Hellgrau 50 yet?
I see that Model Master now offers both colors in enamel. I'll likely place an order for some soon to compare to the WEM I still have, but has anyone tried these yet that can weigh in their opinions?

[Haijun watcher]

Only Revell is a real Tirpitz, with some little omissions. Trumpeter, Dragon and Aoshima are badly adapted Bismarck.

Revell has three little errors. The profile of the bow must be more straight. The main director over the tower is a few little and has wrong shape. The tower level with two double 37 mm mounts, must be partially enclosed (after fall-winter 42).

For the others, errors are innumerable, wrong bow, wrong main deck, wrong Bruno and Caesar barbettes, little turrets' roof, wrong main hangar door, wrong superstructures around torpedoes and many omissions.......

Hi,

Would you please be more specific in the errors in the Trumpeter and Aoshima Tirpitz kits? I'm mulling between buying an old tool model of either kit, depending on how much scratch work has to be done.

If not, I may considering building the Tamiya 1/350 version if the errors on that one aren't too big.

[mpgl62]

Only Revell is a real Tirpitz, with some little omissions. Trumpeter, Dragon and Aoshima are badly adapted Bismarck.

Revell has three little errors. The profile of the bow must be more straight. The main director over the tower is a few little and has wrong shape. The tower level with two double 37 mm mounts, must be partially enclosed (after fall-winter 42).

For the others, errors are innumerable, wrong bow, wrong main deck, wrong Bruno and Caesar barbettes, little turrets' roof, wrong main hangar door, wrong superstructures around torpedoes and many omissions.......

Hi,

Would you please be more specific in the errors in the Trumpeter and Aoshima Tirpitz kits? I'm mulling between buying an old tool model of either kit, depending on how much scratch work has to be done.

If not, I may considering building the Tamiya 1/350 version if the errors on that one aren't too big.

Hello

I have not the Aoshima kit, but in the pictures the errors are similar to the Trumpeter kit. In my opini�n only some errors are difficult to correct. Most of errors is because the model is a Bismarck model badly adapted.

About Trumpeter

Errors:
1. Vents around barbettes B and C are wrong (Tirpitz has a totally different disposition). Medium
2. Bow profile is wrong (Tirpitz is about 1,5 m longer and more straight). Medium
3. Main deck is wrong. Most of vents and scuttles are different between Bismarck and Tirpitz.. Very difficult but not really noticeable
4. Rear superstructure, first deck (105 mounts) is wrong,especially the curve around the 150 mm turret. Difficult, because the deck planking.
5. Superstructure around torpedo mounts is wrong. The torpedo mounts needs more space. Medium
6. Catapult deck is wrong. Medium
7. 105 mounts are of two different types (Tirpitz used only later type) . You need 4 mounts of the later type . Easy
8. Turrets roofs are little. Very difficult but not really noticeable
9. Admiral bridge shape is different. Medium
10. Main Hangar door is wrong. Easy if you have the PE correct

Omissions:
1. Tower level behind the 37 mm mounts must be closed. Easy
2. Night directors in admiral bridge must be closed. Medium
3. You need a little platform between conning tower and 37 mm position in tower. Easy
4. It is necessary, build bulwarks around 105 mm mounts.Easy.
5. Aditional degaussing cable in stern is missinng. Easy

Tamiya 1/350 have basically the same errors and ommissions (again is a Bismarck). Also a deficient deck planking and poor underwater hull. Only advantage, is the smooth bulkheads, ideal for PE sheets

I recomend also the 1/350 Revell model.

Revell

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=149089

Tamiya

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=109357

If I should remember something more , I will write.

[pvk308]

Guys can I ask a question I am currently getting plans etc together for the kit so I can build it now I have the AJ PRESS plans in 1/400 that I have blown up to 1/200. When I over lay the deck piece it falls short in length by about 5-8mm and a lot of the gun mount centres are out has any one measured the kit to see if it is the correct length and width...... I am just wondering as I think the plans might have been blown up to much...... I did stipulate though when blowing up the plan form 1/400 to 1/200 that they needed to be enlarged to 200%...... I calculated this out using a scale calculator

[pvk308]

Can any one tell me when these sections were added to Bismarck that are shown protecting the inlets ...... I am trying to find out if they were added before the forward range finder was added and the range finders on Anton turret were removed

[Haijun watcher]

Thank you mpgl62 for your feedback on all these kit brands. Muchas Gracias.

I was against using the 1/700 Revell Tirpitz kit initially because it was a full hull kit that did not have a waterline option. Unless I cut the hull which I prefer not to do.

But compared to the errors you pointed out below with the Trumpeter, Dragon and Aoshima kits, the Revell Tirpitz 1/700 option might be the best way to go.

Hello

I have not the Aoshima kit, but in the pictures the errors are similar to the Trumpeter kit. In my opini�n only some errors are difficult to correct. Most of errors is because the model is a Bismarck model badly adapted.

About Trumpeter

Errors:
1. Vents around barbettes B and C are wrong (Tirpitz has a totally different disposition). Medium
2. Bow profile is wrong (Tirpitz is about 1,5 m longer and more straight). Medium
3. Main deck is wrong. Most of vents and scuttles are different between Bismarck and Tirpitz.. Very difficult but not really noticeable
4. Rear superstructure, first deck (105 mounts) is wrong,especially the curve around the 150 mm turret. Difficult, because the deck planking.
5. Superstructure around torpedo mounts is wrong. The torpedo mounts needs more space. Medium
6. Catapult deck is wrong. Medium
7. 105 mounts are of two different types (Tirpitz used only later type) . You need 4 mounts of the later type . Easy
8. Turrets roofs are little. Very difficult but not really noticeable
9. Admiral bridge shape is different. Medium
10. Main Hangar door is wrong. Easy if you have the PE correct

Omissions:
1. Tower level behind the 37 mm mounts must be closed. Easy
2. Night directors in admiral bridge must be closed. Medium
3. You need a little platform between conning tower and 37 mm position in tower. Easy
4. It is necessary, build bulwarks around 105 mm mounts.Easy.
5. Aditional degaussing cable in stern is missinng. Easy

Tamiya 1/350 have basically the same errors and ommissions (again is a Bismarck). Also a deficient deck planking and poor underwater hull. Only advantage, is the smooth bulkheads, ideal for PE sheets

I recomend also the 1/350 Revell model.

Revell

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=149089

Tamiya

viewtopic.php?f=59&t=109357

If I should remember something more , I will write.

[mpgl62]

Thank you mpgl62 for your feedback on all these kit brands. Muchas Gracias.

I was against using the 1/700 Revell Tirpitz kit initially because it was a full hull kit that did not have a waterline option. Unless I cut the hull which I prefer not to do.

But compared to the errors you pointed out below with the Trumpeter, Dragon and Aoshima kits, the Revell Tirpitz 1/700 option might be the best way to go.

All four brands have a decent kit for the Bismarck. The choice, is just very difficult. All models have strong and weak points.

But Tirpitz is a different issue. The Tirpitz was very differente in many details with the Bismarck. Some are easy for the brand (as the funnel cap). But the main deck, the bow and the barbettes, need a new mold. Revell was the only brand that made the effort.

[just some dude]

Can any one tell me when these sections were added to Bismarck that are shown protecting the inlets ...... I am trying to find out if they were added before the forward range finder was added and the range finders on Anton turret were removed

According to the AJ Press books on Bismarck, the additional protection to the inlets was added in March, 1941, which would have been about the same time as the other changes you mentioned. Whether or not the AJ Press books are correct in this matter, I don't know. Just in case you don't already know, the Bismarck had protection to the lower inlets from the beginning, but the protection to the upper inlets was supposedly added in March.

[pvk308]

Yes just re looked at the pictures you are right..... as for the time frame I am not keen on trusting AJ press I would like photographic evidence to back it up another question....... The deck section on the top of the bridge in the Pontos set is numbered 603 and appears to be perforated plate was there plate or timber in this area or just blank steel as it is seen to be a different colour in pictures