patrickmil

Outstanding work! Your Bismark is amazing and I'm very jealous that I don't have one for my collection.

Baby steps... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time... Whichever euphemism works best for us, lol. Not much progress to actually show off, but I do have a few pics anyway. I'll describe what I did first though. There was a slight gap where the sonar bulge met the rest of the hull. From online pics, there doesn't seem to be any line there on the real deal. I couldn't even make out a weld bead. What to do to fill the gap? I decided to use stretched sprue and Tamiya Extra Thin. Multiple applications of my favorite solvent based adhesive were applied. I will let this sit for 24 hours before I sand it back so I don't start sanding into soft, goopy plastic. I also got my holes drilled through the bottom of the hull and a chunk of cheap 1x4 pine to have a solid working base for now and have this ready later when I have something decent to mount it on.
 



 
Thanks so much for checking in!
Patrick

Ok... Earlier I mentioned a YouTube channel. It's new to me and I'm learning as I go. If you wish to view a video version of my USS Curtis Wilbur exploits, you can see them at the following link:
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2OLZJD_BYzN_99bynZ8wyQ
 
That's right, it's called Patrick's Scale Studio; don't blame me, blame AI. AI's channel name ideas were waaaaay better than mine. I'm just trying something new and I get that some of it may be remedial for most, but I also used my wife and two daughters as sounding boards and their advice was "Pretend like I don't know anything about this hobby, and truly I don't; just convince your audience in case they're like me." At least they're supportive 😆
 
That said, I'll gladly receive any and all constructive criticism. I don't necessarily put that to use always, but I can take it.
 
Thanks!
Patrick

Hi Chad! I'm hoping you can help me avoid any huge mistakes with your experience. I have done some very light reading on the Aegis system and really think it's cool. I really took for granted that it was so revolutionary in radar coverage. Also sounds like this kit would easily convert to the USS Barry.
 
Glad to have you following,
Patrick

Outstanding work! Your Bismark is amazing and I'm very jealous that I don't have one for my collection.

Baby steps... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time... Whichever euphemism works best for us, lol. Not much progress to actually show off, but I do have a few pics anyway. I'll describe what I did first though. There was a slight gap where the sonar bulge met the rest of the hull. From online pics, there doesn't seem to be any line there on the real deal. I couldn't even make out a weld bead. What to do to fill the gap? I decided to use stretched sprue and Tamiya Extra Thin. Multiple applications of my favorite solvent based adhesive were applied. I will let this sit for 24 hours before I sand it back so I don't start sanding into soft, goopy plastic. I also got my holes drilled through the bottom of the hull and a chunk of cheap 1x4 pine to have a solid working base for now and have this ready later when I have something decent to mount it on.
 



 
Thanks so much for checking in!
Patrick

Outstanding work! Your Bismark is amazing and I'm very jealous that I don't have one for my collection.

Baby steps... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time... Whichever euphemism works best for us, lol. Not much progress to actually show off, but I do have a few pics anyway. I'll describe what I did first though. There was a slight gap where the sonar bulge met the rest of the hull. From online pics, there doesn't seem to be any line there on the real deal. I couldn't even make out a weld bead. What to do to fill the gap? I decided to use stretched sprue and Tamiya Extra Thin. Multiple applications of my favorite solvent based adhesive were applied. I will let this sit for 24 hours before I sand it back so I don't start sanding into soft, goopy plastic. I also got my holes drilled through the bottom of the hull and a chunk of cheap 1x4 pine to have a solid working base for now and have this ready later when I have something decent to mount it on.
 



 
Thanks so much for checking in!
Patrick

Baby steps... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time... Whichever euphemism works best for us, lol. Not much progress to actually show off, but I do have a few pics anyway. I'll describe what I did first though. There was a slight gap where the sonar bulge met the rest of the hull. From online pics, there doesn't seem to be any line there on the real deal. I couldn't even make out a weld bead. What to do to fill the gap? I decided to use stretched sprue and Tamiya Extra Thin. Multiple applications of my favorite solvent based adhesive were applied. I will let this sit for 24 hours before I sand it back so I don't start sanding into soft, goopy plastic. I also got my holes drilled through the bottom of the hull and a chunk of cheap 1x4 pine to have a solid working base for now and have this ready later when I have something decent to mount it on.
 



 
Thanks so much for checking in!
Patrick

Hi All,
I have decided to call time on the Bismarck and say "Finished."
Final touch-ups completed today and a couple of coats of Satin Clear.
 
I did not get to deploying Accommodation Ladders, oh well....
Hawse Drums were re-wound with A/L 0.25 Black Thread, much better, Anchor Buoys also re-wound and fitted.
 
I guess an interesting build for me, my first Ship with "Guns" and a great PE primer having never dabbled in the medium before.
 
It's not perfect but should pass muster, I guess that's part of building with 1.5 arms!! 🙂
 
Would I do it again? Definitely!! I'm sort of gearing up to have a good look at my Trumpeter version with MK1 detail PE.
 
I have issues with some items included in the kit contents but they got resolved o.k.
 
Many thanks to all that have hit the "Like" thingy, much appreciated.
 
A few of those I wish to thank for thier input and knowledge, well you know who you are, rvchima, Rod, joe100, Joe and many others that have from time-to-time offered ideas or constructive criticism. 🙂
 
Last but definitely not least, my lovely lady, for assisting completion for this old Chap with one and a bit working appendages.
 
So, some photos in no particular order....
 
I almost forgot to mention, the Color/Camo scheme is for this day in history May 21 1941. (I believe that the Stripes/Stern Wave was removed shortly afterward.)
 
Cheers....HOF.
 
 
 
 

Baby steps... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time... Whichever euphemism works best for us, lol. Not much progress to actually show off, but I do have a few pics anyway. I'll describe what I did first though. There was a slight gap where the sonar bulge met the rest of the hull. From online pics, there doesn't seem to be any line there on the real deal. I couldn't even make out a weld bead. What to do to fill the gap? I decided to use stretched sprue and Tamiya Extra Thin. Multiple applications of my favorite solvent based adhesive were applied. I will let this sit for 24 hours before I sand it back so I don't start sanding into soft, goopy plastic. I also got my holes drilled through the bottom of the hull and a chunk of cheap 1x4 pine to have a solid working base for now and have this ready later when I have something decent to mount it on.
 



 
Thanks so much for checking in!
Patrick

More sprue shots! Ugh!!! I promise I'll figure out the OOTB photo editing software on this damn PC. Again, sorry for the semi-distorted pics. The pics don't show all 33 of the sprues because there are many duplicates.
 






More still to post...
 
Patrick
 

Baby steps... How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time... Whichever euphemism works best for us, lol. Not much progress to actually show off, but I do have a few pics anyway. I'll describe what I did first though. There was a slight gap where the sonar bulge met the rest of the hull. From online pics, there doesn't seem to be any line there on the real deal. I couldn't even make out a weld bead. What to do to fill the gap? I decided to use stretched sprue and Tamiya Extra Thin. Multiple applications of my favorite solvent based adhesive were applied. I will let this sit for 24 hours before I sand it back so I don't start sanding into soft, goopy plastic. I also got my holes drilled through the bottom of the hull and a chunk of cheap 1x4 pine to have a solid working base for now and have this ready later when I have something decent to mount it on.
 



 
Thanks so much for checking in!
Patrick

Hi Ken! Glad to have you here.
 
Small bit of progress to show, but it took a considerable amount of sanding. The hull is now free of mold seam lines. There was the most slightest of steps as well but it sanded out easily enough without leaving a trench. I also attached the sonar bulge on the bow. Now I just have to blend that in. After that, I'll measure and drill holes to allow for mounting the hull to brass pedestals and a wood base.
 
PSA: The bow's tip is fragile. I almost broke it off when maneuvering the hull around while sanding. The tip hit the wall behind me and bent. I was able to bend it back thankfully. I'll be protecting it while not working on that area from here on out.


Thanks for looking in!
Patrick
 

Ok... Earlier I mentioned a YouTube channel. It's new to me and I'm learning as I go. If you wish to view a video version of my USS Curtis Wilbur exploits, you can see them at the following link:
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2OLZJD_BYzN_99bynZ8wyQ
 
That's right, it's called Patrick's Scale Studio; don't blame me, blame AI. AI's channel name ideas were waaaaay better than mine. I'm just trying something new and I get that some of it may be remedial for most, but I also used my wife and two daughters as sounding boards and their advice was "Pretend like I don't know anything about this hobby, and truly I don't; just convince your audience in case they're like me." At least they're supportive 😆
 
That said, I'll gladly receive any and all constructive criticism. I don't necessarily put that to use always, but I can take it.
 
Thanks!
Patrick

Hi Ken! Glad to have you here.
 
Small bit of progress to show, but it took a considerable amount of sanding. The hull is now free of mold seam lines. There was the most slightest of steps as well but it sanded out easily enough without leaving a trench. I also attached the sonar bulge on the bow. Now I just have to blend that in. After that, I'll measure and drill holes to allow for mounting the hull to brass pedestals and a wood base.
 
PSA: The bow's tip is fragile. I almost broke it off when maneuvering the hull around while sanding. The tip hit the wall behind me and bent. I was able to bend it back thankfully. I'll be protecting it while not working on that area from here on out.


Thanks for looking in!
Patrick
 

This should be the last of the kit pics. Next posts will hopefully involve progress on building toward completion. BTW, I have started a new channel on YouTube where my awkward *** will be building this gorgeous kit and will keep pace of updates here. More details on that to come.
 




Thanks for looking in!
 
Patrick

More sprue shots! Ugh!!! I promise I'll figure out the OOTB photo editing software on this damn PC. Again, sorry for the semi-distorted pics. The pics don't show all 33 of the sprues because there are many duplicates.
 






More still to post...
 
Patrick
 

Ok, obligatory sprue shot time!!! Just a couple of stats on what came in the box. The kit contains 33 plastic sprues, 10 separate parts that had no sprue attached, 6 frets of photoetch, copper chain, and decals. I'm very impressed with the quality so far but have yet to actually put anything together. I guess we'll see since I Love Kit (aka Trumpeter) can be hit or miss with their kits. I do not plan on using the included display stand but will put the completed kit onto two brass pedestals and a wood base. That's a long way off though. Hopefully my clumsy attempt will somewhat resemble the real deal.
 
Nice, one piece hull (mostly one piece)

Some details shots on the hull



The main deck piece and detail shots following



Apologies on the limitations of my iPhone; a couple of the pics are distorted.
 
Patrick

Hi Ken! Glad to have you here.
 
Small bit of progress to show, but it took a considerable amount of sanding. The hull is now free of mold seam lines. There was the most slightest of steps as well but it sanded out easily enough without leaving a trench. I also attached the sonar bulge on the bow. Now I just have to blend that in. After that, I'll measure and drill holes to allow for mounting the hull to brass pedestals and a wood base.
 
PSA: The bow's tip is fragile. I almost broke it off when maneuvering the hull around while sanding. The tip hit the wall behind me and bent. I was able to bend it back thankfully. I'll be protecting it while not working on that area from here on out.


Thanks for looking in!
Patrick
 

Ok... Earlier I mentioned a YouTube channel. It's new to me and I'm learning as I go. If you wish to view a video version of my USS Curtis Wilbur exploits, you can see them at the following link:
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2OLZJD_BYzN_99bynZ8wyQ
 
That's right, it's called Patrick's Scale Studio; don't blame me, blame AI. AI's channel name ideas were waaaaay better than mine. I'm just trying something new and I get that some of it may be remedial for most, but I also used my wife and two daughters as sounding boards and their advice was "Pretend like I don't know anything about this hobby, and truly I don't; just convince your audience in case they're like me." At least they're supportive 😆
 
That said, I'll gladly receive any and all constructive criticism. I don't necessarily put that to use always, but I can take it.
 
Thanks!
Patrick

Hi Ken! Glad to have you here.
 
Small bit of progress to show, but it took a considerable amount of sanding. The hull is now free of mold seam lines. There was the most slightest of steps as well but it sanded out easily enough without leaving a trench. I also attached the sonar bulge on the bow. Now I just have to blend that in. After that, I'll measure and drill holes to allow for mounting the hull to brass pedestals and a wood base.
 
PSA: The bow's tip is fragile. I almost broke it off when maneuvering the hull around while sanding. The tip hit the wall behind me and bent. I was able to bend it back thankfully. I'll be protecting it while not working on that area from here on out.


Thanks for looking in!
Patrick
 

Hi Ken! Glad to have you here.
 
Small bit of progress to show, but it took a considerable amount of sanding. The hull is now free of mold seam lines. There was the most slightest of steps as well but it sanded out easily enough without leaving a trench. I also attached the sonar bulge on the bow. Now I just have to blend that in. After that, I'll measure and drill holes to allow for mounting the hull to brass pedestals and a wood base.
 
PSA: The bow's tip is fragile. I almost broke it off when maneuvering the hull around while sanding. The tip hit the wall behind me and bent. I was able to bend it back thankfully. I'll be protecting it while not working on that area from here on out.


Thanks for looking in!
Patrick
 

Ok... Earlier I mentioned a YouTube channel. It's new to me and I'm learning as I go. If you wish to view a video version of my USS Curtis Wilbur exploits, you can see them at the following link:
 
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2OLZJD_BYzN_99bynZ8wyQ
 
That's right, it's called Patrick's Scale Studio; don't blame me, blame AI. AI's channel name ideas were waaaaay better than mine. I'm just trying something new and I get that some of it may be remedial for most, but I also used my wife and two daughters as sounding boards and their advice was "Pretend like I don't know anything about this hobby, and truly I don't; just convince your audience in case they're like me." At least they're supportive 😆
 
That said, I'll gladly receive any and all constructive criticism. I don't necessarily put that to use always, but I can take it.
 
Thanks!
Patrick

The I Love Kit instructions would have you start on adding details and other highly breakable items to the main deck (Step 1) and then gluing that main deck and the aft deck in place on the hull (Step 2). If we lived in a perfect world, I could follow this. However, while I love the benefits of slide molding, there are mold seams and maybe a slight step in places on the hull that I think should be dealt with first. That and the bulbous part of the bow that accommodates the sonar takes me to Step 3 first. I will deal with the mold seams and a smooth transition for the sonar in the bow.
 
 





My next progress posting will hopefully include pictures of the completed hull.
 
Thanks for looking in,
Patrick