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DKM Battleship Bismarck detail sets. 1:200


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DKM Battleship Bismarck detail sets

1:200 White Ensign Models

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Since the release of the big 1:200 Trumpeter DKM Bismarck many companies have released detail sets for it. Now, White Ensign Models have released their Ultimate set. The set actually comprises of eight smaller sets, each of which can be purchased separately, depending on how much detail the modeller wishes to add, so it’s the equivalent of Eduards Big Ed sets.

Railings- (PE-2010) which, as the title describes is a medium sized sheet of railings. Since the kit comes with suitable railings for he main deck, this set just provides the railings for the upper deck and superstructures. I say just, but there are an awful lot of individual railings pre sized to fit their particular position. Naturally though the railings will need to be bent and folded to shape before fitting. Also included on the sheet are the foot and hand rails for around the funnel and around the turmmast tower.

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Boat Fittings (PE-2012). This is the largest of all the sheets available and provides parts for a comprehensive upgrade for all the ships boats. The 11m launches all receive new bench seat tops, bollard clusters, bench seat sides, steering wheel, canopy frames, canopy side frames, helmsmans seat, forward deck hatch, engine bay hatch, safety rails, well deck assembly, propeller and main deck, complete with gunwhales.

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The 11m and 9m Captains gig, receive new well deck and cabin sides, safety rails, forward box seats, cabin canopy, helmsmans seat, steering wheel, windscreen, bollard cluster, engine bay hatch, bench seat sides and top, well deck steps life belt, propeller and main deck.

The 8m and 6m long boats are fitted with new thwarts, decking boards and rudders, plus a full complement of oars. All the boats are also fitted out with retainer straps, with and without buckles, boat tie down eyes and boat lifting eyes.

Aircraft Handling Gear – (PE-2013). Once again the sheet description covers it, but this sheet, although one of the smallest of the set, is filled with detail. Firstly the catapults are fitted out with nue walkways and platforms fitted to each end along with the support stays over the main deck. The catapults are also fitted with new cable wheels, again at each end, whilst the aircraft launch cradles are also replaced with new PE items. Now the aircraft parts are where it gets really interesting. Not only do they get new deck handling trolleys, which look really nice and will certainly enhance the deck diorama, but they also receive a complete interior. Yes, you read that right, and interior for these 1:200 aircraft, although they should be a tad easier than trying to fit the 1:350 interiors WEM have released previously. The interior for the Arados include the fuselage internal framework, the central bulkhead with separate radioman/gunners radio sets, which, due to the thinness of the attachment point may need to have a bit of support from underneath. The pilot is provided with a new seat, control column and instrument panel, complete with rudder pedals, whilst the gunner is also given a new seat. The cockpit is finished off with the provision of the etched canopy framework, although the instructions are unclear whether this is meant to replace the kit canopy completely, or compliment it. Lastly the aircraft are fitted out it the access ladder prongs for the front struts and the main strut support braces.

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Radars – (PE-2014). You should know how this goes by now. This single sheet set contains the various radars Bismarck carried throughout her relatively short life. Each radar is a masterpiece on its own, when added to the model they will look pretty darn special. The types of radar provided include the following:-

  • FuMo 23
  • FuMo 26
  • FuMo 27
  • FuMb 4
  • FuMb 7
  • FuMo 21

radars.jpg


Each radar array comes some with items such as front and rear faces, individual dipoles, mounting rails, Sensor side bars, mounting brackets, antenna screens. Each antenna has been etched in such a way as to have all of its constituent parts in the same area, so there is no need to hunt around the sheet for each individual part. The instructions are nice and clearly written with information on when each array was fitted.

AA Guns (PE-2015). Now the title of this set is a bit of a misnomer as although it provides parts to superdetail the ships 20mm, 37mm and 105mm guns there are also plenty of parts to add to the main and secondary turrets. Each main turret receives new rangefinder sight doors and lenses, turret sliding hatches and comms loop wires; just ensure that you use the correct wires for each turret. The secondary turrets also have their rangefinder doors, lenses and sliding hatches provided. The 105mm heavy AA mounts receive new breech plates, comms loop wires, and fuse setters. The 37mm and 20mm light AA weapons receive new mount fittings, pedestal mount fittings, and flak vierling fittings. The sheet also includes a number of spare grab handles and breach plates should the carpet monster grabs some.

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Doors and Hatches (PE-2016). This sheet provides a wide selection of doors and hatches for use throughout the model, (naturally). Each door and hatches is made up of a multi element folding parts which not only gives them a bit of depth, but allows them to be posed open or closed. There are a selection of vent grilles, oval access hatches of differing sizes, four types of watertight doors along with ammunition locker doors, storage locker doors, door opening bars, fire hose baskets and even lengths of fire hose, which although made of brass, once coiled up should look quite effective).

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Sea Chest Intake Grilles (PE-2017). Most, if not all detail sets for ship models concentrate on the superstructure and topsides. This is the first one I’ve seen, other than for large scale submarines, that provides parts exclusively for the underwater section of the hull. Some of the grilles can be fitted directly to the surface of the hull whereas with others the kit detail needs to be removed before adding the etched part. The instructions clearly show where and how to do this as well as parts placement.

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Platforms and extensions (PE-2018). The parts on this sheet are to replace the kit parts where a platform or catwalk is generally made of see through mesh. Due to the nature of injection moulding it is very difficult, if not impossible to replicate the mesh, even in this scale. At least with this set you will get a much nicer scale effect, (just try not to clog up the mesh with paint). The main items provided are the crane platform and support frame, funnel catwalk, catwalk underframe, AA gun deck overhangs, crane support brackets, funnel platforms, foremast platform, bridge wings, barbette catwalks, crane jib rests, hanger roof peak catwalks, as well as crane operators hand wheels and funnel platform hatches.

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Conclusion
With the Ultimate set, it’s pretty safe to say that it’s possible to produce a museum quality model, even though WEM provide what they think is really needed. Which should mean you won’t have too much, if any spare parts left over and unlike some other sets where parts are replaced for the sake of it. Of course you don’t have to buy the ultimate set, as each of its constituent parts are available separately and you can pick and choose how much you want to add. Whatever you choose enjoy the experience as these sets look particularly easy to work with. Very highly recommended.

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Review sample courtesy of John at logo.jpg

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