I still have a lot of victory left and hood and my king tiger - decisions decisions

G Factor has produced a Brass Prop set for her, which I've just ordered.

As promised.

http://www.freetimehobbies.com/brm-d-20001.aspx

Bismarck research
http://www.bismarck-class.dk

Jase

Just a point though it depends upon what moment in time you want to reflect wether you have a swastika or not. Bismarck was only in her Baltic colours for the first part of the breakout. While in the fiord, when she was spotted by the Spitfire, the black and white stripes were painted out and the swastikas painted grey to avoid Ariel recognition. only the blacked out false bow and stern and false bow waves were left on. They are only visible on the wreck because the top paint layer has eroded away.

I wil be building her without Baltic paint as she was the moment she engaged Hood

I have done a lot of research around the Bismarck and Hood because my grandfather was on HMS Anthony a destroyer with Hood when they engaged the Bismarck (he is still alive so I gat some great memories) and his Brother was on King George V when Bismarck was sunk, i have actually had his story published as it is a bit unusual.

Yellow turret tops - yes we know that an instruction was given for the main and secondary turret tops to be painted yellow on the 26th. It is generally believed it either did not happen or was not completed but there is only some evidence it happened non of the survivors can recall it happening and the wreck shows dark grey on secondary, (primary turrets are upturned) but as we know the grey paint has come of the swastikas it doesn't prove anything that, said there is one German eye witness who recalls seeing the swastika clearly as she went down, they were supposed to be repainted as she approached Brest, at the same time as the yellow was applied, and there is a logged radio message from the Royal navy stating turret tops are yellow. One word of caution much of what you will read on the web about Bismarck's final operation actually comes from the war diary of Prinz Eugen. She arrived in Brest with Yellow turret tops and had painted out her swastikas and was ultimately under the instruction of the Admiral on Bismarck. some claim Bismarck had canvas covers over the swastika but i have never seen any hard evidence of that from a primary source and certainly my grandfather believes it is nonsense due to the practicalities of securing it on deck against an Atlantic ocean and crew would have to walk on it etc. - so a definitive answer at time of Hood sinking see link below. Did the crew crack open the paint as Bismarck steamed in circles and they desperately attempted to fabricate a rudder and release the starring gear, i am sceptical but you could chose to go yellow but still without swastikas visible.

and yes the fog of war did lead to a fairy swordfish attack on our ship but was quickly disengaged, nothing new about friendly fire!!

If you use this link it will take you to the 3 paint arrangements of Operation Rheinbung, she was at stage 3 for engaging hood note there is still some white markings on the waterline often missed by model builders.

http://www.bismarck-clas...bism1941rheinubung.html

Or go yellow follow this link and see bottom of the page.

http://www.kbismarck.com/drawings.html

Thanks Jase, lots of useful info, apologies for throwing so many questions at you.