channell

I've made quite a bit of progress since I posted last... sorry about mafiabucket blocking my older pics but It seems I'm just too damn popular these days. Please, no autographs.
 
Anyway, here's where I am now:
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Thanks everyone for the comments!
 
Kevin- I am using the KA Models Mk1 superset and Eduard PE; there are plently of duplicates but they do compliment each other fairly well; the Eduard set contains many details KA missed and vice-versa.
 
Foremast- I am airbrushing the superstructure with Model Master "Lichtrgrau" acryl and steel decks with Tamiya medium grey. The hull above the waterline is rattlecan Model master "Navy agressor grey" and below is Tamiya Guards Red (I think).
 
I have still been puttering along with her; I got the docking wings on along with may other details (with plenty more to go!)
 

 

 
I also am about 2/3rds through building all the AA guns:
 

 

 

Cool project Kimberly! I've got a pirate ship (Zvedza "Black Swan") sitting my stash waiting to be built myself. I've got a soft spot for all things Piratical.

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!

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!

The porthole rings are intended to be glued right on top and have the porthole "eyebrows" attached. They are not 100% accurate that way but they do look pretty good on the model.

I haven't tried it but I was thinking about getting the Lifecolor set for Bissy #2. 
 
Redoing all the portholes is a giant pain; can't say I blame anyone for not wanting to do it!

some pictures

Best of luck on your build! I will be following...

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!

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!

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!

I never get tired of seeing your Victory grow, Daniel.

I did just pick up a 1/200 Arizona and Mk1 set and and looking at bashing it into the USS Pensylvania as I do the Bismarck; I know this forum is more interested in Tall ships but if there's interest I'm willing to do a log...

Thanks everyone for the comments!
 
Kevin- I am using the KA Models Mk1 superset and Eduard PE; there are plently of duplicates but they do compliment each other fairly well; the Eduard set contains many details KA missed and vice-versa.
 
Foremast- I am airbrushing the superstructure with Model Master "Lichtrgrau" acryl and steel decks with Tamiya medium grey. The hull above the waterline is rattlecan Model master "Navy agressor grey" and below is Tamiya Guards Red (I think).
 
I have still been puttering along with her; I got the docking wings on along with may other details (with plenty more to go!)
 

 

 
I also am about 2/3rds through building all the AA guns:
 

 

 

Thanks everyone for the comments!
 
Kevin- I am using the KA Models Mk1 superset and Eduard PE; there are plently of duplicates but they do compliment each other fairly well; the Eduard set contains many details KA missed and vice-versa.
 
Foremast- I am airbrushing the superstructure with Model Master "Lichtrgrau" acryl and steel decks with Tamiya medium grey. The hull above the waterline is rattlecan Model master "Navy agressor grey" and below is Tamiya Guards Red (I think).
 
I have still been puttering along with her; I got the docking wings on along with may other details (with plenty more to go!)
 

 

 
I also am about 2/3rds through building all the AA guns:
 

 

 

I've made quite a bit of progress since I posted last... sorry about mafiabucket blocking my older pics but It seems I'm just too damn popular these days. Please, no autographs.
 
Anyway, here's where I am now:
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Thanks everyone for the comments!
 
Kevin- I am using the KA Models Mk1 superset and Eduard PE; there are plently of duplicates but they do compliment each other fairly well; the Eduard set contains many details KA missed and vice-versa.
 
Foremast- I am airbrushing the superstructure with Model Master "Lichtrgrau" acryl and steel decks with Tamiya medium grey. The hull above the waterline is rattlecan Model master "Navy agressor grey" and below is Tamiya Guards Red (I think).
 
I have still been puttering along with her; I got the docking wings on along with may other details (with plenty more to go!)
 

 

 
I also am about 2/3rds through building all the AA guns:
 

 

 

My solution to the porthole issue was to descend into porthole hell for a couple of months.

 
I replaced all but 1 or 2 of portholes on the hull and superstructure by drilling out a "perfect porthole" into very thin styrene card and inletting them into the hull and carefully blending them into the surrounding material:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Anyway, it was too much work and a serious PITA to get them all straight and clean but it was ultimately worth it:
 

 

 
On the hull I replaced the porthole eyebrows and added the bar steps with very thin copper wire. Later on I got the KA Models Mk1 detail set which has all that and more already included as PE.

Thanks everyone for the comments!
 
Kevin- I am using the KA Models Mk1 superset and Eduard PE; there are plently of duplicates but they do compliment each other fairly well; the Eduard set contains many details KA missed and vice-versa.
 
Foremast- I am airbrushing the superstructure with Model Master "Lichtrgrau" acryl and steel decks with Tamiya medium grey. The hull above the waterline is rattlecan Model master "Navy agressor grey" and below is Tamiya Guards Red (I think).
 
I have still been puttering along with her; I got the docking wings on along with may other details (with plenty more to go!)
 

 

 
I also am about 2/3rds through building all the AA guns:
 

 

 

Yea, Trumpeter is a bit infamous for stuff like that. Luckily (with a little bit of patience) the porthole problem can be fixed. At this point in the build I am glad I took the extra time to do it... I think it really makes a difference on the (almost) finished product.

Thanks everyone for the comments!
 
Kevin- I am using the KA Models Mk1 superset and Eduard PE; there are plently of duplicates but they do compliment each other fairly well; the Eduard set contains many details KA missed and vice-versa.
 
Foremast- I am airbrushing the superstructure with Model Master "Lichtrgrau" acryl and steel decks with Tamiya medium grey. The hull above the waterline is rattlecan Model master "Navy agressor grey" and below is Tamiya Guards Red (I think).
 
I have still been puttering along with her; I got the docking wings on along with may other details (with plenty more to go!)
 

 

 
I also am about 2/3rds through building all the AA guns:
 

 

 

I've made quite a bit of progress since I posted last... sorry about mafiabucket blocking my older pics but It seems I'm just too damn popular these days. Please, no autographs.
 
Anyway, here's where I am now:
 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

Here's some more pics from a bit earlier:
 

 

 

 

Here's a quick update, sorry I haven't been quite so dedicated in keeping this thread going:
 

 

 

 
The standard kit has around 1700 parts but that's just not enough so I at least doubled that with aftermarket photo etch! At least the "groundwork" is pretty much done; most of what's left is attaching all the brass "fiddly bits" and painting.