1/350 Trumpeter Bismarck

[sgtryan13]

Well I am a bit of the way into this build already, but since I haven't seen too many builds of this kit posted anywhere, i figured it was time to start a log on here again.

This is the recent release of Bismarck from trumpeter. I am no expert on Bismarck, so all of my observations are from a modeler's perspective, not a historian. That being said, in a word, this kit is AWESOME. It is NOT like most kits we come to expect from trumpeter. I have not used one bit of filler yet, and aside from a little issue fitting the aft deck half, fit has been perfect. The surface details on this kit are beautiful. The planking detail is ok, but I prefer to use wooden decks anyway. The detail parts in the kit are beautiful as well, but I was blown away by some Bunker Studios stuff I got for my 1/200 Hornet, so I opted to go with Bunker Studios AAA and basically any other replacement doo-dads that they had for the ship. I'll be using the kit PE on the ship unless the rails are too tall like on a lot of trumpeter's PE; I haven't bothered to check on that yet.

This is my 4th attempt in my modeling life at the Bismarck, the ship that really got me interested in WW2 naval battles when I was a kid. My most recent attempt was about almost 20 years ago, and one of my first to use a dedicatedx PE set or airbrush on. The camo stripes above the hull level defeated me on that attempt, so I was determined to get it this time. I am very happy with how the camo came out on this one.

I drew the hull plating on with a drafting pencil and weathered the ship with oils, still need to add some green sludge around the waterline and salt stains. It will be mounted in a seascape with a crew aboard, hence the missing piece of the bow I wasn't bothered with.

[G.Shoda]

Looking good!

[MartinJQuinn]

Yay! Nice to see you back in the groove and posting a WIP thread! She is looking good!

[Dan K]

Very sharp.

[ModelMonkey]

Excellent!

[sgtryan13]

Thanks guys!

I took a break and remodeled my 1/1 model display room and my workshop, but now I am back full swing on Bismarck, hoping to finish her in time for some shows this fall.

The kit continues to impress in both fit and detail. The detail parts are really nice, but I decided to go one step further and replace all the AAA, bridge equipment, and other detail parts with 3D printed replacements from Bunker Studios. These parts are amazing! They are incredibly detailed, easily removed from the sprues, and are sturdy enough to have had only a few tiny bits break off on one or two of the parts as I was handling them with my arthritic claws.

the Blast bags on the main and secondary guns are my own making from tissue paper and mod podge, I am really pleased with how those came out.

The seascape is my own technique, hybridized from several different styles. It is carved from insulation foam, then supplemented with air-dry clay to build up the waves, which was then all covered with a layer of tissue paper fixed on top with mod podge, then painted and textured to my liking. It is not done yet, as the ship is just resting in the cutout, so lots more wave action will be added around the hull when it is fixed in there for good.

All of the rails and detail parts are done and waiting on final install, the only big thing left is scratch-building new masts from brass rod and to rig the beast.

[Dan K]

Looks excellent!