Hi Grey

There was no Amati model version of the Bismarck but Amati did make the partwork for Hachett and we had a few for sale on here but they sold out very quickly.

I have the trumpeter 1/200 Bismarck kit in my stash with the MK1 upgrade kit and the Pontos mark 2 set makes me want to start building it with the release of this kit.

Andy

Issue 2:

The Foremost 38cm Gun Turret
Pack contents: Revolving Turret Housing, Turret Base Plate, Barrel Connector, Upper Motor Mounting, 2x Ventilators, Base Plate Cradle, Clutch Shaft, Lower Motor Mounting, Ring, 2x Gun Barrels, Tension Spring, Electric Motor, 2x Ladders, Screws.

The two ventilators and ladders are attached to the sides of the turret. You can use glue, but my ladders fit without. Next, the two metal gun barrels are glued to the barrel connector, making sure they are parallel. No glue is used from here on in. Push the clutch shaft through the ring, seating the cam into the rear of the connector, and attach to the cradle making sure that the clutch shaft is central to the hole in the base plate. Attach the motor mounting to the base plate with screws.

TIP: If you don't have magnetic screwdrivers, just magnetise them using any handy magnet.

Fit the motor into the mount with wires to the top (which when mounted will actually be the bottom). Attach the lower motor mount. The gun barrel assembly sits inside the revolving housing with the two pins sitting into the two semi-circular recesses. taking the base plate, feed the motor cable through the large opening and secure with the screws provided. It should leave a spare screw for later use, if needed.

This completes Issue 2.

Thanks Andy. Will see what comes with the kit, but it’s good to know there’s bits out there that I can upgrade if I want too, but like you say they seem to be few and far between. Found these, not sure if they would fit, but correct scale:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/i...2601:g:tUEAAOSw65FbbWE0

Cheers Gray

Hi Ian, thanks for looking in and your comments. Always appreciated.

Hi Mark, thanks for looking in

Ok, so i thought i would put down my first impressions, having received and built up the first two issues.
The kit comes well packaged - probably a bit too well protected with the plastic containers! The very small parts, like the capstans, are easily lost if you are vigorous with your unpacking

The parts themselves, both metal and plastic on sprues, need little or no cleaning up. The construction went together suprisingly easy.

The instructions are well laid out in the magazine, easy to follow, with the build text next to full colour images. The history of the ship is also very interesting and informative.

So, all-in-all, i am quite pleased with the build so far. I hope you are enjoying the build too

Regards
Gray

Thanks Walter, i KNOW you'll make a good job of it

Regards
Gray

Looks good Phil, thanks for sharing I see you've given it pride of place

Issues 3, 4, 5 & 6 have finally arrived

Seems like i have got Bismark bits coming out my ears

Issue 3:

On-board Aircraft Ardo AR 196
Pack contents: Bow section of the hull, Front strut, Rear strut, 2x Side Struts, Upper fuselage, Lower fuselage, Wings, Engine, Propeller, R-H float, L-H Float, Control lever, Pilot Seat, Machine gun, Propeller shaft, Cockpit canopy, Catapult Launch carriage, Screws.

Firstly, fit the bow section of the hull from issue 1 to the lower part of the hull with 2 of the screws provided, and set aside.

The upper and lower parts of the fuselage are glued then together. Insert the propeller shaft into the rear of the engine and attach the prop shaft with a dab of glue, making sure it will still rotate. Fix the engine to the fuselage.

Next, the control lever, pilot's seat and machine gun are glued in place. WARNING: these bits are very small - beware the 'carpet monster'! Apply glue to the two studs at the bottom of the canopy and fix in place. Attach the wings in a similar fashion.

The float assembly can be a little tricky. You need to make sure the struts are facing the correct way. Insert in place but do not glue! Apply glue to the two feet on the rear strut and fix in place. Do the same with the front strut, making sure the studs face forwards. Apply glue to the mounting points on the underside of the plane and attach. The catapult launch carriage is mounted in the three remaining holes underneath.

This completes Issue 3 .

Thanks Mark, she’s easier going than my other one