I am building the Bismarck for the Bismarck Campaign. As I will be using the Pontos upgrade + a couple of Veteran Models sets of bridge gear, this will be a complex build. I will post updates on the main thread when Jan opens it tomorrow, but more detailed ones here.

Heres the makings.









Keel laying tomorrow.

Cheers

Si

Very cool Si!! Looking forward to you ripping into this one! Thank Pontos set will dress this kit up nicely!

Thanks Todd,

There is a lot in the Pontos set, It is quite a scale own of the 1/200th version but not far short.

Plan to be laying the keel later today.

Cheers

Si

I have too much on right now to take part in the Bismarck Campaign but I will be following closely. This looks like it will be a great build, best of luck with it Si.

Cheers, D

Hi Si,

great to see your Bismarck started!! I'll be following closely, no doubt!!
- and I will start my HMS Hood build here in a minute





Ahem - who? me? I'd have to go back and see who initiated the campaign, it wasn't me - or is there another Jan around, than I am sorry for any confusion caused

Cheers,
Jan

Thanks Damian,

Going to be a long old build this one.

Glad to have you along.

Sorry Jan,

Getting a bit forgetful, It one of Michael's ideas. Following your lead on the cruiser campaign, main thread here, with critical pics from every update on the campaign thread.

Update in a minute, just finishing downloading the pics.

Cheers

Si.

Before I get started the one thing I forgot to post yesterday, references (well reminded Jan)



Right on the big scary project.

First job, cutting out the sea chest and overboard discharges to replace with Pontos etch.



Chain drilling.



Starting to cut out and clean up.



Cutting out done, and most of the cleaning.



The mounts for the screw guards and the moulded on iron ladders.



Removes, and mounts for etched replacements drilled, same on the paravene booms up for'd.



Bulkheads fitted.



Hull halves joined.



The bow needs a bit of remedial work.



Holes for the rudder posts drilled, I used 3mm as suggested, 2.5 might have been better.



Bow filled.



Shaft housing fitted, could have been better, but gaps rather than shape, so not all bad.



Filling, citadel liquid green stuff. a great product.

Apply with a paint brush.



Wipe with a moist paper towel, little if any sanding needed.



The bow done the hard way filed and sanded.



Rudders and prop shafts and brackets added.



All for now, maybe some more tomorrow,

Cheers

Si

On-board here too

Hi Si,

running ahead in your typical and highly effective manner Great start, Bismarck is a fascinating ship! And I am really curious to see how good the Pontos set really is - as compared to e.g. Michaels 1/200 build!

Are you in contact with our 'campaign leader'? What do you think, just wait another couple of days?

Cheers,
Jan

Hi Russ,

Welcome, hope you up for a longer hall than usual with me.

:-)--<

Cheers

Si

Hi Jan,

The set bears a very close resemblance to the 1/200 set, parts like the iron ladder steps and the porthole surrounds are there but not references in the instructions. (Won't stop me using them though)

Not identical as I can't see the Arado interiors on the frets (might have missed them.

Still working on hull detail, nowhere near getting paint on it yet.

Cheers

Si

Today's progress.

The first sea chest grill in place, very slightly recessed. Once I had cleaned up the hole to fit the grill, a little chamfer all the way round and it sat in quite neatly.



all went well til the first big grill, which whilst sorting the fit pinged. Could I find it ! Nope! so found a bit of mesh on pre used fret, cut to shape a bit of rame and job done.



The port side dome too. (didn't loose any grills this time)



Not mentioned in the instructions, but the Pontos frets contain porthole surrounds and iron ladder steps, shame not to use them.



As far as I have got, couldn't quite hit my stride this afternoon.



So did the destruction on maindeck. The Pontos instructions clearly show the moulded detail to be removed.





Cheers

Si

A cracking pace already, Si.

Long haul? Of course

Well, well...no paint yet. So you are slacking

Once more you are working at an incredible speed, and that is not even considering your other fine builds...

I can feel your pain about that big grill, but you did a fine replacement! Coming along very nice!! But remember, we still have about a year in this campaign, and Hood will most likely need the full year

Great work, Si!

Cheers,
Jan

Fine work on the grills and getting the decks smoothed out Si!! Looking forward to seeing the wood get laid out!

Thanks Russ,

Lost of gear in the pontos set, and as I like value for money I will be using as much as I can, so this will be a longer haul than usual.

I reckon abt 11-12 months to get there on this one. (barring unforeseen torpedoes in the steering gear)

Cheers

Si

Hi Jan,

Sarry about that mate, but another 80 odd porthole surrounds and quite a few setps to go before the first coat of paint.

Also need something to blank of the back of the sea chest grills, did try with the deck in place and you can see through the big ones.

Unfortunately the missing grill catapulted into another dimension, but I did find a bit of mesh, don't know what from and cut it to fit, so no real damage done.

Cheers

Si

Thanks Todd,

Might be a while yet, lots of stuff to do before the deck goes down, but I too am looking forward to that.

Cheers

Si

Hi Simon,
Off to a great start. This should be a great build to follow and an interesting campaign with two of the main protagonists already on the blocks.

cheers
Michael

Thanks Michael,

Glad to have you along for the ride. This is going to a long haul, there is a heck of a lot in the pontos upgrade and I intend to use as much as possible of it.

Cheers

Si

Ahoy Simon

Handsome looking build indeed.

Hope all that detail doesn't slow down your usual slick build process too much.

Will be following along and hope to watch and learn.

Cheers


Sean

Welcome aboard Sean,

I reckon this build may a bit longer than usual for me, but with all the gear in the pontos set, updates should crack along at the usual pace.

Cheers

Si

Hello:

I too will be following your build and see how you work with the PONTOS and Veteran PE and other goodies.
So far looks good.

Hi Mgunns,

Welcome aboard, glad to have along for the ride.

Cheers

Si

Today's progress.

The three larger intakes are see through, so some simple backing was needed.



The etch on the port quarter done.



All three blanking pieces made.



The first paint on! The interior of the hull, that's a first!



The interior pieces sprayed and weathered with a few citadel washes and some lifecolor oil and grease paints.



The sea chest interiors fitted.



You can just make out the manifolds through the grill.

the port bow portholes done as well.



Cheers

Si