Revell 1/700 DKM Bismarck

[Ray S]

Hello all. Christmas 2010, opening presents. Around the Christmas tree, I spy a long thin box wrapped up. I get transported back in my mind to 1966 when the same thing happened. I picked it up, shook it (well you do) and it rattled. My heart skipped a beat. Look at the label - 'to Granddad, Mery Christmas, love from H-J'. I open the package, and there it a lovely box with Bismarck in it, by Revell. 'I hope you like it' says H-J's dad. 'Oh yes' said I. 'I had been looking at this model yesterday (Christmas Eve) but did not have my wallet!' Just as well. The model from 1966? Well, that was Airfix's Bismarck, and as a 9 year old, I thought it was great.

I am a bit older now, but not wiser. So I ordered the photo-etch set (done by Eduard for Revell) for this new one and set to work. It took me a long time to finish the kit, but oh boy, was it a delight to build! When I do ships with etch, I build them up layer by layer, and add the etch as I go along. I do need to be careful where I put my hands picking the ship up mind you, but the system works for me. Each deck/superstructure layer went together better than any other ship I have done so far and that really added to the joy of building this.

I learnt a few things with this kit (like I do with most at the moment), and one of those was forming the etch into curves. I have tried rolling a dowel type thing over the etch on a mousemat but it kinks, so this time I just curved the railings with my fingers and thumbs, especially near the secondary(?) armament along the main deck. Some of the tighter curves I used a small tube and just pressed the etch around that and that seemed okay too. I also tried to represent the blast bags on the main guns but I need to improve there. I must admit I drew the line at adding the rigging and the Swastika markings fore and aft, I was not sure how the transfers would bed down over the deck detail, and I do not have the confidence to mask the markings up.

The only thing I did not like about the model was the painting guide, Revell really need to look at improving that side of their product. One magazine says you need to look at the overall cost of the kits, but even if it added a pound or two, they would still be great value, and you would get a better result, meaning you would be more likely to buy more of there kits meaning Revell would be even more happy.

This was a wonderful present, and as she was only 3 years old, I do not know how she knew!

[Shar2]

Very nicely done. Rigging is a bit awkward if you're not used to it, but it would be good to at least have a go and do a representative amount. If you want some ideas of how to do it then send me a PM.

[Ray S]

Very nicely done. Rigging is a bit awkward if you're not used to it, but it would be good to at least have a go and do a representative amount. If you want some ideas of how to do it then send me a PM.

Shar2, one of the biggest headaches I get for rigging is where do the ends go at deck level!. I have got a couple of reels of Caenis thread and am armed with David Griffith's ship modelling book, and will have a go on my next ship, which will be a destroyer of one type or another. I will remember your kind offer if I get stuck.

All the best, Ray

[Shar2]

When doing 1:700 scale stuff I've found that using GS Hypo glue, you can make very thin wires/halliards, which are nearer to scale, rather than using thread/lycra which can tend to look far too thick.

[jimbuna]

She's a real beauty Ray...congratulations on an excellent build.

[swordfish fairey]

Very nice build there Ray, and what a fantastic Grand Daughter to be so thoughtful at that age....Well done on both counts..... :clap2:....Tony

[Phil Reeder]

Great build,and excellent PE work .The colour scheme represents the time when she(he?) was first completed.Never-the-less you have an excellent job on the kit.

Cheers Phil

[Mike DeTorrice]

An outstanding job here on the famous battleship, Ray ! What a wonderful present from your granddaughter. It's great for us to see this one here (I built a Revell Bismarck and Tripitz as a kid, too) and she will be delighted to see your results, too !

Mike

[Alan P]

Good work Ray, very nice and loads of detail. I'm currently having a go at Matchbox's offering of this subject in the same scale.

When doing 1:700 scale stuff I've found that using GS Hypo glue, you can make very thin wires/halliards, which are nearer to scale, rather than using thread/lycra which can tend to look far too thick.

Genius!

Finally a use for the horrible stringy effluent of GS Hypo.

Thanks mate, top tip!

Al

Edited May 10, 2012 by PHaTNesS

[John]

That's really nice. Is it a re-release of the Matchbox kit or a Revell original?

John

[Ray S]

That's really nice. Is it a re-release of the Matchbox kit or a Revell original?

John

John, it is a Revell original, and it was a beauty to do, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Thanks for all the kind comments, they are really appreciated.

Kind regards everyone, Ray

[seth2012chaos]

Looks really nice

[surfsup]

You have done a lovely job on her.....Cheers mark

[wkennerley]

Very nice build Ray, I built this a few years ago and fitted the swastika decals, needs a bit of careful placement and a couple of coats of micro sol but it has bedded down quite well. i will try photograph the decal later

Wayne