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1/350 DKM Bismark with WEM PE Set

The fore and aft AA gun splinter shielding and main gun bore cleaning tube lockers must be removed and set aside for re-attachment later. While brass replacements for the splinter shields are provided I decided to remove them with a chisel blade in my X-acto knife and re-use them. Once I was satisfied with the fit of the brass deck pieces I secured them in place with superglue. If you are more careful than I you will at this time also remove some plastic from where the catapult is located in preparation for the brass parts. I overlooked this in WEM’s instructions and had to deal with it later. In anticipation of installing the other brass decks the major superstructures were then assembled up to the point where they would be joined one atop the other. The WEM replacement decks fit very well needing only a small amount of filing here and there to drop in place.

Where needed splinter shielding was carefully removed then replaced on top of the brass decks filling needed only where the bridge shielding meets the brass deck.

All of the wood decks were then painted the wood base color and sealed with Future and the steel decks were painted in dark gray. For photographic purposes I assembled the funnel and attached the P.E (photo etched) searchlight supports, grills, cranes and funnel cap. Usually I would paint these parts before construction but I wanted a photo that would show the P.E. parts to better effect.