Salty Sea Dog 2023 – Bismarck Evolution

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

I blame it on Youtube!

 

A little over two years ago I began watching video clips of 1/200 scale model warships (HMS Hood, HMS Rodney and the like).  While a dedicated aircraft builder I was immediately hooked on the idea of building a massive warship and thought to myself it would be a great retirement project.  Alas as retirement is still several years away and having only ever built one warship, a USS Enterprise CVN-65, I thought it prudent to look out for something smaller and cheaper, lest I mess it up. 

 

Eventually I purchased a 1/350 scale Academy Bismarck battleship.  I confess it was not my first choice.  While its destruction is a gripping tale I always thought the ship overrated from a combat capability perspective.  I wanted a British ship but the price of 60 Canadian dollars or 30 pounds was simply too good to pass up.  Since I purchased it in late 2021 the Bismarck has gathered dust until I decided what to do with it.  Then I made Boaty McBoatface’s acquaintance on this website and he exposed me to the 2023 Bunfight/Group Build.  While I have never participated in a group build before I am looking forward to the challenge and the camaraderie.  Thanks again Boaty!

 

As I continue to build models I am less and less likely to build them out of the box.  I feel for me to grow as a modeller I need to experiment, try something different and occasionally accept that I will mess it up.  Which leads me back to the Bismarck. For this project I decided to be ambitious (and a glutton for punishment) and do an evolution of the ship from inception to the present day.  Running from bow to stern I intend to model the ship in five distinct phases:

 

1) Initial construction and fitting out

2) Funky paint scheme with false waves and twin vertical chevron stripes

3) Bismarck triumphant (during and immediately after battle with Hood and Prince of Wales)

4) Gotterdammerung/final battle

5) At rest in the ocean’s depths.

 

Well that the plan anyway, we’ll see how it goes. I will try to update weekly to record my progress.

 

Model subject 1/350 Academy Bismarck

 

 

Committed severing the bow deck.

 

Cut up bow and building the framing.

 

Chopped stern and interior debris.

 

Framing and installation of the bow deck.

 

And stern deck.

 

Start of the crane.

 

Stern.

 

Till next time.  Thanks for looking.

 

Regards,

Tomcat 101

[ArnoldAmbrose]

53 minutes ago, Tomcat101 said:

While its destruction is a gripping tale I always thought the ship overrated from a combat capability perspective.

Gidday, I think she had some design faults, and while she sank HMS Hood in five salvos I believe was herself disabled quite early in her final battle.

       This looks an interesting and unusual project, and a brave one to hack a kit like this. Good luck with it and I'll be following to see how it turns out. Regards, Jeff.

[Bertie McBoatface]

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

Then I made Boaty McBoatface’s acquaintance on this website and he exposed me to the 2023 Bunfight/Group Build.  While I have never participated in a group build before I am looking forward to the challenge and the camaraderie.  Thanks again Boaty!

 

You are welcome! That's both to the challenge and to the group build.

 

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

As I continue to build models I am less and less likely to build them out of the box.  I feel for me to grow as a modeller I need to experiment, try something different and occasionally accept that I will mess it up. 

 

Absolutely. You must own the model, don't let it own you.

 

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

Model subject 1/350 Academy Bismarck

 

In the box, frankly this makes me say another Bismarck - yawn.

 

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

 

What? What? What? Oh my...

 

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

 

NOW I'm sitting up straight in my chair.

 

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

Tomcat 101

 

Welcome to the madhouse of Grand Operatic modelling. THIS is the way to start a model, and a thread too. 

 

Onwards to glory!!!!

 

 

[TonyOD]

That is a quite unique and very welcome addition to the Build List, I'll be following with great interest, Welcome aboard! 

[Ngantek]

A really interesting, novel approach to the subject. How are you planning to do the demarcations, sharp and obvious or blended or what? Looks really interesting, and I like the progress already. Good luck! will follow with interest.

 

Andy

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone, 

 

Thank you for the kind words and support.  I really appreciate them. I did wonder when I considered 'hacking' this kit that it would be seen as a desecration rather than a build. There's a long way to go, so the jury is still out on the final result.  I haven't been able to get a good photo but I used pill bottles to serve as the barbette for the 15 inch turrets Anton (furthest forward) and Dora (furthest aft).  I then lined the Anton turret with ball bearings (actually beads) at the base.  The idea (fingers crossed) is to have the Anton turret being suspended by a crane above the barbette in the final build.  We'll see. 

 

As to the demarcations I have roughed them in with green tape as depicted in the photos below.  My thinking is that by using angled cuts I have more options in what I want to depict and makes for a more interesting look.

 

Regards,

Tomcat101    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ArnoldAmbrose]

On 1/23/2023 at 10:14 AM, Tomcat101 said:

Start of the crane.

 

1 hour ago, Tomcat101 said:

The idea (fingers crossed) is to have the Anton turret being suspended by a crane above the barbette

Ah, the penny drops! (Hopefully the turret won't. 😁) That first caption I quoted was a bit confusing for me, I thought "That definitely looks like a turret, not a crane".  🙂 I think that'll be a good mini-dio for the model, and the way you made the gun bay/turret base is very clever.

Regards, Jeff.

[2996 Victor]

What an incredible concept for a model, absolutely brilliant! And you're off to a great start, too! I'm really looking forward to watching your progress on this project.

 

All the best,

Mark

[Bertie McBoatface]

Time to slip in a cheeky piece of advertising. Shhh! Don't tell @TonyOD

 

There will be more of this vibrant creativity from @Tomcat101 and many others in the Entropy Group Build starting on the First of July this year. All are welcome either to watch or even better, join in.

 

For more details follow the link below into the rabbit hole of your choice...

 

 

[Wings unlevel]

Remarkable project of a remarkable subject. Like everyone else, I’m really excited to see this progress, just watch out for Swordfish!

[Bertie McBoatface]

2 hours ago, Wings unlevel said:

Remarkable project of a remarkable subject. Like everyone else, I’m really excited to see this progress, just watch out for Swordfish!

 

He could incorporate some swimming around the sunken sections. 😀

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone,

 

Actually I have already begun modifying one of the two Arado Ar-96 floatplanes into a makeshift Fairey Swordfish.  I do intend to include it into the battle portion of the ship.  Fingers crossed it will work out. Thank you again for all the kind words and support.  I appreciate them.

 

Kindest Regards,

Tomcat101      

[CliffB]

Just catching up with this one.  I think I understand what's going on!  A brilliant idea 

[Tomcat101]

Hi Everyone, 

 

Thought I would add an update on my progress.  This is the first time I have done a thread of a model in progress so I hope the cadence is ok. The ‘hacking’ is almost done.  I think I have done enough devastation to the back half of the model.  I did reference some photos and drawings but there is also a considerable amount of artistic licence.

 

I have started gluing the decks together which has been an interesting experience for me as I am not used to building ships and I have also been trying to think of shell damage through multiple levels.  I have also started trying to add debris between decks and in the hanger.  I have just begun paint but there is so much to go. 

 

Well that’s enough for now I have enclosed a bunch of photos (too many?).  Usually I am a stickler for accuracy but given the odd nature of the build I am taking a lot of artistic licence – so begging the apologies of the purists. Please let me know what you think, thoughts and suggestions welcome.

 

Kind Regards,

Tomcat101

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Thom216]

Very cool idea! Real novel approach to doing a build, and sure to stand out. Will be keeping an eye out!

[flashlight]

Wow, this is amazing! How did you create those big holes - did you use some heat or did you cut them out? Thanks in advance!

[Tomcat101]

Hi Flashlight,

 

Knives and files were used to make the holes and to do the scoring.  There were a lot of snapped blades - safety glasses highly recommended.

 

Kindest Regards,

Tomcat 101

[flashlight]

1 minute ago, Tomcat101 said:

Hi Flashlight,

 

Knives and files were used to make the holes and to do the scoring.  There were a lot of snapped blades - safety glasses highly recommended.

 

Kindest Regards,

Tomcat 101

 

Thank you very much indeed!

[ArnoldAmbrose]

7 hours ago, Tomcat101 said:

Knives and files were used to make the holes and to do the scoring.  There were a lot of snapped blades - safety glasses highly recommended.

 

Gidday Tomcat, wouldn't it have been easier to do what the Brits did to the real thing  -  shoot holes in it? 😁       Maybe not.   It certainly looks effective what you've done. Regards, Jeff.

[Tomcat101]

Never thought of that one.   I did consider using a drill but opted not to.  The plastic on the hull was extremely thick.  The upside was that by using knives and files it let me bore holes at different angles which I think turned out ok.   

[Bertie McBoatface]

Are you enjoying employing your Artistic license? Sometimes it's great to be liberated from the demands of' accuracy'

[Tomcat101]

Indeed I am.  The end result may not be wholly accurate and instead be more representative but I hope it effectively conveys the evolution of the ship through time.  I am enjoying the challenge of trying to depict that progression through time rather than modelling a specific moment.     

[ArnoldAmbrose]

Gidday @Tomcat101, that's one of the things I enjoy about doing whiffs. While I try to make them as plausible as I can (usually 🙂) I don't have to worry too much about the tiny details that can distinguish one actual ship from a sister-ship. Less time in research, more time in actual construction. Regards, Jeff.

[Bertie McBoatface]

On 1/30/2023 at 1:43 PM, Tomcat101 said:

Indeed I am.  The end result may not be wholly accurate and instead be more representative but I hope it effectively conveys the evolution of the ship through time.  I am enjoying the challenge of trying to depict that progression through time rather than modelling a specific moment.     

 

I'm sorry. I didn't see your answer to my question for a couple of days. It you use the quote button, as I just did, the other person in the conversation gets automatically notified and you'll find that you get more repeat visitors and flowing chatter.

 

I'm glad you are satisfying the Prime Directive (having fun). After a few projects in similar spirit to this one, I hardly bother about accuracy any more. I like to research and  know what's correct but I don't worry if my models are only 'close enough'. Close enough is, well, close enough. 🙂

[Tomcat101]

13 hours ago, Bertie McBoatface said:

 

I'm sorry. I didn't see your answer to my question for a couple of days. It you use the quote button, as I just did, the other person in the conversation gets automatically notified and you'll find that you get more repeat visitors and flowing chatter.

 

I'm glad you are satisfying the Prime Directive (having fun). After a few projects in similar spirit to this one, I hardly bother about accuracy any more. I like to research and  know what's correct but I don't worry if my models are only 'close enough'. Close enough is, well, close enough. 🙂

Hi Boaty,

 

Thank you for the primer.   Honestly, I thought 'Quote' was just that, the option to add a quote from someone famous. I did not realize it acted as a link. As I said previously, I am new to all this - but learning.  As to the build I agree it is fun to experiment.  I do prefer accuracy as a rule but I think each modeller has there own balance between accurate and representative. For example I will not spend the price of a kit to get marginally more accurate seat buckles on a 1/72 scale aircraft.  Not knocking those who do to each there own.  For me I do not have the time or budget.

 

Kind Regards,

Tomcat101