Bismarck pictures

Thanks everyone for your comments and compliments.

Snoopy, I researched the Bismarck extensively before building her and there is a great deal of conflicting information out there. For example, the tops of the turrets. I have seen sources that claim they were dark gray, dark red, and even yellow! Photographic evidence is indeterminate. Even the survivors' accounts disagree with each other!

As far as the area around the swastikas, I have read that they are dark gray, but other sources say red. I've seen other models painted both ways. Tamiya's box art shows dark gray, which is what I went with. Some references say there was no swastika on the stern deck, but Ballard's photos of the wreck clearly show it was there - painted out, possibly, but it was there at one time.

If you do any research at all on this great ship, you'll find the same things. In the end, you'll probably do what I did, and choose a scheme that you think looks reasonably realistic.

I have to agree with you Snoopy - the Bismarck (and the Tirpitz, too!) were truly magnificent looking battleships. And you're right that if they were used properly the war might have turned out very differently.

Paul, looks very good. I have some questions about your paint scheme. I have been wanting to build this model for awhile but I keep getting conflicting information on certain things. First, I see that at the bow, you painted everything a grey near the anchor chains. Sorry, I should know the technical names for a ship but I can't seam to recall the proper names. Also, around the Swastika, why the grey and not red. I have references showing it to be red and then before battle/mission it is covered over. Also, did you see the dio in Sept. 2004 FSM about the Bismark in the Kiel canal. The guy had a wood deck going all the way up to the anchors and chains. I always thought that section was steel decking at the anchor and chains. I have always loved the Bismark and want to do the model in away that it will give it some credit to it being the greatest battleship to ever sail the seas. To bad, the Furher did not know anything about naval ship and battle engagements. Things might have turned out differently if he just let the Kreigsmarine do what they did best. I am glad that things did not turn out differently. I can't speak German and do not want to, it just is an impressive ship:)

Don't have much experience and knowledge about ship modeling, but it does look great to me! Thanks for sharing.

Outstanding build there paulnchamp I've alway wanted to do a ship in that scale.will have to look into it a bit more..thanks for showing us..


cheers mike

Looks very nice mate. I built the same kit last year, it was my first time using PE parts, so it didn't turn out as nicely as yours. Thanks for the pics.