1/200 Bismarck

[Melkell]

Hi I am new to here so forgive me for my ignorance.

I have bought a 1/200 scale Trumpeter Bismarck (nice) but amazed that there is no waterline marked on the hull and can't seem to find in the instruction book where to place the line. I don't want to mark it to high or to low so can someone tell me how to work out

where on the hull I should mark it please? I am still deciding whether to make her up as a waterline model like my 1/350 ships.

Cheers, Mel.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

Hi Mel,

 

I'd suggest measuring the length of the hull stem to stern on the kit painting guide. Bismarck was 251m long, or 251,000mm. Divide this by the length of the painting guide to find the scale of that drawing.

 

Let's assume the painting guide works out at 1/530 scale for argument's sake. Divide the denominator (530) by the denominator of the model kit scale (200) and you get 2.65.

 

Measure the top and bottom of the boot topping from the painting guide from the keel and multiply the measurements by 2.65 and there you have the height from the model hull's keel to mark the top and bottom of the boot topping

 

 

[Melkell]

Hi Sovereign Hobbies,

Thanks for that I shall give it a go, have to use the calculator on it, maths not my strong point.

Sure would be easier if they did it in the factory like others do though, are well never mind.

Mel.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

If you do the measuring I/others will be happy to check your figures before you commit to the model

[Melkell]

Thanks for that mate.

Mel.

[LotusArenco]

Have a look here.

https://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck/paint_schemes/paintbism1941rheinubung.html

And here.

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

 

Both sites have drawings and photos of the various camouflage patterns and boot topping, just to double check Trumpeter have got it right before committing yourself to cutting.

(Remember measure once and cut twice, or was it the other way round?….)

 

Mart

 

[Melkell]

Hi Mart,

Thanks for the links they should help me a lot. Am still trying to make up my mind about cutting such a large (expensive) hull. I did it on the 350 KGV and Bismarck no problem but cheaper to replace if wrong.

Mel.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

How about laying the hull into a Styrofoam sea base? You can then waterline it, but without actually cutting the hull.

 

 

[Melkell]

I might look into that, it's a good idea, thanks again.

Mel.

[Melkell]

I just received the book Anatomy Of The Battleship Bismarck by Jack Bower and it has the water level as 9.60 mtrs. it looks like that's as she sat in the water but as built 9.30 and at full displacement 9.90mtrs. 

It works out by my calculations 49.5mm (9.90) to 46.5mm (9.30). So if I mark the waterline to those measurements it should be almost correct, would it? Any thoughts?

Mel.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

The boot topping would span quite a bit wider/deeper than the expected drafts normally. I would have expected to see a boot topping closer to 10mm deep on a 1/200 scale battleship. You could use those dimensions to centre the boot topping though, so they're certainly useful to know.

[Melkell]

Good idea, I think perhaps use the 9.6mtr (48mm) as the centre and go 5mm above and below giving the wider span as you say.

Have you done a 1/200 sale ship? 

Ive done a 1/350 KGV so looking forwards apprehensively to the task then the Nelson, with the same problem of boot topping not marked but maybe able to follow the plate lines perhaps, we'll see. 

Mel.

[Jamie @ Sovereign Hobbies]

58 minutes ago, Melkell said:

Good idea, I think perhaps use the 9.6mtr (48mm) as the centre and go 5mm above and below giving the wider span as you say.

Have you done a 1/200 sale ship? 

Ive done a 1/350 KGV so looking forwards apprehensively to the task then the Nelson, with the same problem of boot topping not marked but maybe able to follow the plate lines perhaps, we'll see. 

Mel.

 

1/200 is still an aspiration of mine! I've agreed to get some ongoing 1/350 projects finished. I'd like to build Hood again in 1/200, but also quite fancy Rodney and Merit's 1/200 USS Hornet (CV-8).

[Melkell]

I've got some other 350's started too but am giving them a break for awhile. I want the Nelie as it was my fathers first ship when she was brand new so would have liked her in pre war style rather than 1944/5.

Not sure about the Hood as yet see how my finances are after these two.

Mel.