Airfix 1/600 BISMARK

[Ian M]

Looking very nice indeed Ron. Can almost see the blood, sweat and tears from here!
I agree that is a new comer had gotten hold of one of those they would probably take up another hobby. Still, we can see that this is far from your first attempt at beating a heap of deformed plastic into shape. Nice work and as usual very tidy paint.
Looking forward to seeing her hit the water.

[Mickc1440]

You've done a great job with that one Ron

[spanner570]

Thanks for the excellent and positive comment boys.
Good to read it's not only me who thinks these awful kits shouldn't still be in production. Airfix are doing themselves no favours in doing so......

453, thanks for another 'The Dogs' award. I'm well chuffed you think the build good enough.

Jim, after much chewing over re. the stripes (or lack of) on the superstructure. I've decided to continue them up from the hull. Although Bismark had the stripes just on the sides for a short time, she looks kind'a unfinished. Also, I would really prefer her with the complete set of stripes. Wish me luck!

Spurred on by Dave's most excellent 'Butchering' of his latest sub. build, I've decided to also bite the bullet and cut the hull down/up to the waterline. I had intended just to sink the hull into the seascape, but making Bismark 'Waterline' will make it much easier when I start on the water.

I used my excellent mini driller/cutter/grinder and loads of other 'er's thingy which I bought new from ebay for under a tenner a year ago, to rip down the hull. I wasn't going to waste my money on a more expensive one.

Here's the thing in action. I've kept the cut a couple of mm. below the boot topping.



The diddy machine ripped through the plastic and just 5 minutes later. Job done!



The melted plastic you see, I simply snapped easily and cleanly off along the cut line with my fingernails.
With the ship now sitting flat and secure should also help when I attempt some rigging.




Next, as mentioned, and before I change my mind, I'll tackle the superstructure's B/W stripes.

Cheers,
Lutgens D.O.G.S.

[BattleshipBob]

Herr Dogs

Can you do a bit of a SBS when you do the seascape, no bugger all

Ta the old seadog

[Ian M]

Next, as mentioned, and before I change my mind, I'll tackle the superstructure's B/W stripes.

It does look rather nice with the full stripes. If I ever do The Bismark mine will get them. Mind you have you seen its big sister, Tirpitz, in full war paint. I see that Trumpy has also just pushed a Scharnhorst out....Hmm I digress.
Looking good Ron. Surprised that you cut her bottom off though.

[Jim R]

Hi Ron
On my HMS Rodney I extended the camo pattern up onto the superstructure. 'Twas a b****r and yours are straight lines - less forgiving I reckon. Good luck.
If it all goes wrong just use the lower hull which you have cut off and model it sinking!
Jim

[spanner570]

Thanks chaps.
Herr Stug. I've done about 4 seascapes during actual builds. I'm happy do do another, but surely it's a bit pointless?

Ian. Yes, I've seen Tirpitz's paintwork. Have you seen her in her 'land' Camouflage? Now that's a challenge and one that I must have a stab at sometime soon....But NOT on an Airfix Kit!
The reason I cut off the lower hull was it's a bit like a tit on a bull - Not necessary. It also makes the seascape a bit easier through not having to bury the hull into the base.

Jim. Thanks. I've locked in an idea for the lower hull.

Update....
Yesterday, I painted the superstructure stripes using a titchy pointed brush.
I roughly marked the lines with a pencil. With all the ins and outs, it was impossible to mark dead straight lines. So I had to try and get the lines near enough to be some sort of guide.

I painted on a thin coat with white first. Keep in mind, 'Dark over light' This means, that although initially the white is painted over the light grey, the final cutting in is the grey, one side, and black the other. Much easier that trying to obliterate the black with the white. I managed to get the white summat like straight, then repeated with the black. Took a blimp to see how things were shaping up, then applied a second and third coat of both. Straightening, and also making sure the lines were getting parallel as I progressed. At the final stage, I painted any 'wobbles' with both colours, but also used the light grey on the outer edges of the stripes to finish things off.

The camera lens has again bent the hull and made the stern stripes look slightly stepped. They are in line, honest!






'Swasty Tickers' and aircraft to do. Check the brute over, then that's it, finally ready for rigging.

Cheers and thanks for your continued support and excellent posts. All much appreciated and believe me sorely needed!

Ron

[boatman]

OH 570 this is really great work as i think i would think twice about painting up the s/s but you have done a grand job of it an 570 it is stepped as it goin up the different deck levels brilliant work chap an put it in a seascape please
chris

[Jim R]

Hi Ron
That is excellent. Certainly looks straight and neat. Definitely worth doing.
Jim

[spanner570]

Thanks boys.

Chris, it will be going in a seascape. Hopefully, a very cold one.

Jim. It was a s*d to do, but well worth the effort, as she sort of looks better now in her striped paint, as I would best recognize her.

Thanks again for your complimentary posts, chaps.

I've just come back home from having my first 'Jab', so made for a nice read.

Ron

[BattleshipBob]

Lovely Mr Lutjens! Really done this old kit justice!!

Will no bother sailing the Nelson too close:upside:

Would like to learn the in and outs of seascapes!

[spanner570]

Cheers Bob. :thumb2:

'Swasty Tickers' decals applied, then I marked and painted the 'legs'.





I also painted, added the decals and glued in place the green blob of an excuse for an aircraft.

Here she is, and as far as I'm concerned, finally ready for the rigging.


Cheers,
Ron

[Jim R]

Hi Ron
Despite the kit you have made a great model - all skill, smoke and mirrors :tongue-out3: :thumb2: :smiling2:
Jim

[boatman]

Cheers Bob. :thumb2:

'Swasty Tickers' decals applied, then I marked and painted the 'legs'.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1143323[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1143324[/ATTACH]


I also painted, added the decals and glued in place the green blob of an excuse for an aircraft.

Here she is, and as far as I'm concerned, finally ready for the rigging.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1143322[/ATTACH]

Cheers,
Ron

LOVELEY bit of moddeleing 570

[spanner570]

Thanks to Jim and Chris.

I've completed the rigging, but before I did, I added a couple of relatively important bits to the masts that were not in the kit, ( There's a surprise!) but are plainly seen on Bismark.

I used ezee line. I haven't a clue what diameter. I won it at the now infamous RAF Cosford Model Show Raffle! All stuck with UHU glue. Using this type of glue allows me to shuffle the lines about and adjust the tension too.

I used my now honed to perfection, R5 method. During the handful of ship models I've managed to complete, this way of rigging has served me well.

"What is R5.?" you ask. It stands for 'Ron's Rough and Ready, Ropey Rigging'. My using R5 completely throws any would be 'Rigging Counters' into despair and leaves me in peace.


Here is my Bismark finally ready for a swim......







Cheers.
Kapitan-Leutnant, Burkard von Mullenheim-Rechberg (Survivor, 26th May 1941)