Hi Andy, with the extra etch kits you intend adding is going to make this one seriously detailed build of impressive quality.... .. I look forward to seeing the finished product.. if indeed you ever do finish it especially with some 240 additional minute parts for the AA guns.... .. Love what you are doing even it the build has to be delayed for a while....

Best regards

Alan

Pontos have finally revealed the PE Frets for their forthcoming Super Set.
I am interested to see that it looks like they have a Template for the correct re-drilling of the Low Frequency Passive Sonar (GHG) microphone pattern. Trumpeter have put this on the Hull but it's a far too even 'U' Shape, the actual shape was a much more random scatter of sensors, although still in a 'U' shape.
Very tempted

Hi Andy thought this may interest you it some updates for Bismarck you dont have

http://www.axels-modellb...marck-Trumpe::8237.html

I recon you can buy them individually the hose reel covers and life rings sound interesting though

So it's time to pull the Dust Sheets of the Bismarck and move forward.
I am now the owner of;
58 Sheets of Photo Etch with many 1000's of PE parts.
2 Wooden Decks
Well over 100 pieces of Resin.
Something like 400 pieces of cast and turned metal.
Several sheets of Transfers and Masks
Not to mention the 1000+ Plastic parts from the original Kit.
and indeed this is not the end as I am committed to yet more Etch, Resin and Metal.

These extras come from Pontos, MK1 Design, Trumpeter, Eduard, Albion Alloys, CMK Maritime, WEM, Jotika, Modelschlatschiffe, North Star Models and G-Factor.

Don't ask what this hoard has cost, as I'd rather not think about it

I now have an ethos for my build and hopefully this will become apparent as I build, as I am going to try and do something a little different

I've already built some sub assemblies, but some of these may well have to be reworked.

So let the insanity begin

Firstly I am using Pontos Pedestals, these were very difficult to source and it took 6 months to locate some (and they were all gone within hours), but are really nice solid Polished Brass. I have used 4 (or 2 sets), because of the size of the Hull. They are normally used in pairs for 1/350 models. I have Epoxied the nuts inside the Hull, so the Pedestals can be removed. I also had to add 0.4mm packing washers to level them out.
Secondly, I have replaced the Plastic Kit Props with G-Factor Brass ones and added 2mm Brass Prop Shafts (including the centre one, which has a plastic boss on the Kit). The Trumpeter add on pack has White Metal ones but these are no better looking than the plastic kit ones.
Parts used to date 382.

Thanks Jase, you're right about the planning, it's made worse by the inability of the PE manufacturers to provide decent instructions. Missing numbers, mis-numbered parts etc, etc. At least Pontos have an open forum on their set and are issuing corrections.

Hi Andy, great to see progress once more.... All I can say is with all that etch you really have taken on the mother of all builds but feel sure the effort and the cost will be very much worth it... .. Seriously looking forward to seeing how it moves forward... .. Good luck with her...

Best regards

Alan

Wow Andy this really is going to be a massive build .I wasn't aware there were so many kits available for this model.Those pedestals look the biz.
Kind Regards Nigel

I know mate,sorry I was referring to how many different upgrade kits are available.
Kind Regards Nigel

Thanks Alan, I've got a bit of a thing for really massive builds, I love the idea of all those parts. Must stem from a childhood spent dreaming about a Meccano set 10.

Just for information.

The Book 'Anatomy of the Ship - Bismarck', which has been very difficult to find and has been offered for absurd amounts of money 2nd hand, is being reissued.
It's a paperback version and is due out later this month (about the 20th, I think), it's currently being discounted to about £20 and is available for preorder on Amazon, Book Depositry etc.