Tamiya Bismrack and Tripitz

No however, they are very close. There are slight differances in the deck layout and arrmement, but only a geek like me would probally know.

Jake Groby
Jakes' Ship Shop

Hello,

since you claim to be a 'geek' on the Bismark, maybe you can answer a question for me. I am also building up the Tamiya Bismark. Is the swastika painted on the bow/deck of the ship painted as a color flag with red or is it gray. I haven't been able to determine how the ship's deck was painted from sources.

thanks

To Old McDonald: Hi, I'm another "Bismarck geek." I recently finished the Tamiya kit and researched it extensively. There's lots of information out there, but much of it is contradictory. I have read accounts that the the bow swastika had a red background, a gray background (as the Tamiya box illustrates) and other accounts that say it was painted out before she was sunk. (I did my background in dark gray and also put a swastika on the stern; more conflicting info there as well!) I've also read reports that the turret tops were dark gray, blood red, and dark yellow. (Again, I did mine in dark gray) Even the accounts of the survivors don't agree. Go figure! Good luck with whatever you do - isn't it a great kit?

For those of you who are interested. If you can find it, Discovery Channel and National Geographics recently did an expedition to find the Bismark. Check them out. The swasika still exists on the wreck and appears to be black with a white background. I'm kind of a WWII battleship geek to.

The deck flag was Red with a White circle and Black Swastika. This Flag was for propaganda perposes and was painted over before leaving port.There are many reasons that the flag shows on the sunken vessel.The overcoat of paint could of been eaten threw...or simply worn off.This may explain why the Red looks Black as well.As far as the turret roofs, they were not Red or Dark Yellow.They were Grey as you have painted them.
Good luck with your models... =)

Try
KBismark.com