channell

It looks like a great effort so far! The KA MK1 detail set really takes the kit to the next level!
 
Don't know if you know already but I'll add a couple of tips that may help your build...
 
 
Liquid plastic cement melts and "welds" the plastic; there is no good way to clean it up other than old fashioned sanding (and putty if neccessary) after everything is dry.
 
The KA set included porthole rings; it's the easiest way to improve the warped kit portholes.
 
Plain old Elmer's white glue is the best stuff I've found to do tiny PE parts; it makes a surprisingly good bond and shrinks as it dries, leaving no residue... provided you use it sparingly. CA (superglue) works best for larger PE parts that require some strength to them.
 
You can build an authentic Bismarck without the giant Swazticas on the deck; she didn't get them painted on until the early part of 1941. During Operation Rhineburg itself, the Swazticas were painted out with grey paint... so in reality, they weren't there for the majority of Bismarck's service life.
 
When it's time to paint, remember Bismarck's hull was painted a slightly darker shade of grey than the superstructure. Doing likewise on the model really improves the look of it.
 
Tamiya's Fine Surface Primer is expensive stuff but it is fairly close to the light grey color of Bismarck's superstructure and works well for spray-painting without obliterating detail.
 
I'm getting close to starting my second 1/200 Bismarck; I'll be happy to help if you need it, just let me know!

Hey Kevin, looking great! Maybe you could do a 1/200 Rodney to go with her next...

Yeah, I'm on board for that one too... not sure when though.

Yeah, I'm on board for that one too... not sure when though.

Yeah, I'm on board for that one too... not sure when though.

Yeah, I'm on board for that one too... not sure when though.

Yeah, I'm on board for that one too... not sure when though.

Hey Kevin, looking great! Maybe you could do a 1/200 Rodney to go with her next...

Hey Kevin, looking great! Maybe you could do a 1/200 Rodney to go with her next...

Hey Kevin, looking great! Maybe you could do a 1/200 Rodney to go with her next...

Hey Kevin, looking great! Maybe you could do a 1/200 Rodney to go with her next...

Good to see your Bismarck back Kevin! I will probably go back to mine after I finish the Nelson.

Good to see your Bismarck back Kevin! I will probably go back to mine after I finish the Nelson.

I built one as a teenager in the 90's... my impression even then was that it was a fairly crappy kit (bulkheads too thick, tons of fit issues, poorly molded/ detailed by today's standards). 
 
But if you want a 1/350 Titanic, that's the only game in town and it CAN be built up into something specatular with aftermarket goodies and plenty of hard work.

Good to see your Bismarck back Kevin! I will probably go back to mine after I finish the Nelson.

Good to see your Bismarck back Kevin! I will probably go back to mine after I finish the Nelson.

I use Squadron putty and Bondo all purpose filler (basically auto body putty).

I use Squadron putty and Bondo all purpose filler (basically auto body putty).

Hi all hull halves together

 

as you can see will need a fair amount of sealant to waterproof it, even though I used a vise the gaps are still quite large. just waiting for the brass rod and tube for the prop shaft to come then I will seal it all.

 

Update as of 12-04-14:
 
I've been working on the 04/05 Navigation Bridge and with the exception of Pelorus's, other small deck items, and whip antennae, it's complete. As usual, these pix show the superstructure together when in reality they are sitting in place only.
 
I chose the kit bridge over the Pontos PE bridge as it was easier to work with at this point. Had I thought about it, I would have enlarged the window openings slightly in both directions as these are just a tad bit undersized. One of the Volunteers in WISCONSIN (Norfolk) made dimensioned posts regarding this earlier in the year. However, with a family situation finally coming to a close, my thoughts have sometimes been elsewhere...
 
In any event, I have been critiqued by another battleship acquaintance who is associated now with IOWA (LA Ports) and mentioned to me a couple things that need adjustment on the 08 Level - I will handle this when I am back at my shop in early January '15. Thru the 42 years of his work at LBNSYD, he has, at one time or another, worked on all the IOWA class ships in addition to many others that came thru the shipyard. His knowledge is impeccable.
 
I am STILL waiting on my special order Pontos Deck set and replacement PE parts (3 weeks now  - nothing!)
so, until it arrives, I'm unable to go too much further on superstructure work. I may begin basic hull work but that is predicated on one of the other Calif. modelers who is working on a hull replacement module (3D printed in ABS plastic) to replace the mis-sharpened after 1/3 of the kit hull. He's getting close and it's phenomenal what he's done using Solidworks and 3D professional printing.
 
8 bells and time to bug out.
 
Hank
 
 
 

Here's some more pics from a bit earlier:
 

 

 

 

Hi all thought i would post a build log of my first plastic ship kit in years.
this is how the kit came from The Model Dockyard

After opening the box this is what i got

and withe the sleeve removed 

the box has a real feel of quality about it.

So thats what you get lets get started.


i have decided to light her up so first job is to drill out all those port holes all 806 of them.



i know you cant see it from the photos but trust me all 806 are drilled out 

This is showing the decks after the bit have been removed to have the wooden deck atatched.
 


and this is with the wooden deck atatched(i must say its the first part of the model that has disappointed me i thought the wooden decking was precut but it is not only the outline (and that not very well) ) there is an outline for you to follow but 1 mistake and you have ruined the whole kit since you have already removed parts of the plastic decking ready for the real wood decking.well thats all tonight what do you guys think.

I thought I'd add another update; I am getting close to finishing this monster finally after almost a year...
 

 

 

 

 

 
I am now in the process of addind the last details around the ship that I have missed . Gotta say I'm a bit scared of the rigging but this isn't the HMS Victory so I do feel lucky about that!

Well, the mainmast after leg assembly and rado antenna platform & antenna are now complete - until the superstructure is in place, these parts will be stored.
 

 
I will now begin working on the upper conning tower modifications for the ECM houses & antenna.
 
Hank

My Bismarck suffered a minor disaster a couple weeks ago while we were moving and is now a better Bismarck wreck diorama candidate... and I was so close to being finished.    That kit is EVIL.