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Book Review
11
3D Bismarck
Kagero’s 3D Battleship Bismarck
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by: Gremlin56 [ GREMLIN56 ]

Summary:

Having bought Trumpeter's 1/200th scale model of the German's legendary battleship, along with about 1 kilo of accompanying brass photo etch add on material, it was a logical step to buy Kagero’s 3D Bismarck book as a reference for my build. Number 9 in the series of 18 publications, the book was first published in 2010 and is a veritable mine of information on how the deck configuration was on this mighty ship. Translation was done by Kazimierz Zygadlo, cover artwork by Waldemar Góralski and the description of the images was written Grzegorz Nowak. ISBN number 978-83-61220-75-6. This is first of Kagero 3D books I review that I purchased myself.

Contents:

The book is in the by now familiar format of a short history of the ship followed by the technical specifications, 87 pages of magnificent drawings, and the very useful fold out sheet of black and white line drawings. According to authors the Bismarck is portrayed in her 1941 configuration and comparison to other reference books shows that Kagero got their research for the book right.

Their history of the Bismarck also contains a reference to the doubts now accepted by modern naval historians that the Bismarck and Tirpitz were not state of the art warships but more a development of the World war I German battleships (check out Antony Preston’s “the World’s worst warships”, ISBN 0 85177 754 6) showing that Kagero is on the ball here too.

The colour scheme used in the illustrations was probably accepted in 2010, but research by John Asmussen and Eric Leon (German Naval Camouflage part 1, 1939 – 1941, ISBN 978-1-84832-142-7) shows that the scheme used by the Bismarck during her final and fateful voyage was subtly different. This is a minor gripe though and will probably lead to some “Riveting” discussions on-line.
The illustrations are as usual magnificent, portraying the Bismarck in all her glory.
Every detail can be viewed making identification of the model's features easy.
The included line drawings are a very welcome addition to the book making rigging the Bismarck easier.

Conclusion:

An obligatory purchase for any serious modeller tackling Trumpeter’s 1/200th Bismarck. The colour scheme used in the book is debatable, but for me not a problem. Once again a magnificent offering by Kagero.
SUMMARY
Highs: A tradition of excellence. A Bismarck builder’s Bible.
Lows: None (unless you are a rivet-counter and refuse to buy the book because the colour scheme might be wrong).
Verdict: 95/100. Well, what are you waiting for? Go buy it if you have about 1,25 meters of Bismarck lying on your workbench……………
Percentage Rating
95%
  Scale: 1:1
  Mfg. ID: 16009
  Suggested Retail: €18.07
  Related Link: Kagero Publishing
  PUBLISHED: Apr 02, 2013
  NATIONALITY: Germany
NETWORK-WIDE AVERAGE RATINGS
  THIS REVIEWER: 90.63%
  MAKER/PUBLISHER: 88.31%

About Gremlin56

Copyright ©2021 text by Gremlin56 [ GREMLIN56 ]. Images also by copyright holder unless otherwise noted. Opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Model Shipwrights. All rights reserved.



Comments

Excellent!!! Already buy one in my seller of books!!! Jejejeje
APR 02, 2013 - 12:26 AM
My arrived yesterday totally knocked out by it,best £11 spent ever!!! Thanks Julian. My Bissy will be in the slips soon now Andy
MAY 10, 2013 - 06:42 PM
Your welcome Andy, take a peek at the Kagero "Topdrawings #15: the Battleship Bismarck" too. Not as sexy but a very handy reference. Cheers, Julian
MAY 10, 2013 - 08:44 PM
I've been looking at that,can't find one at the moment. Result on the 3D book,£11.54,now £18.99!!!. You are destroying my bank account Julian a Badger Krome air brush (which knocks the socks of my iwata hp-ch) ,the MK1 big Bismarck set ,books and drawings!! Mrs Torch would kill you if she found out Can't wait to get the Big Bissy started Andy
MAY 10, 2013 - 09:58 PM
I feel very guilty Andy Nice stuff though isn't it Cheers, Julian Ps. Have you bought the Italeri 1/35 Vosper with PT boat conversion set and resin Lewis guns? Its a steal at around 120 Euros...........................Just need to add some crewmen from WeeFriends ..............
MAY 10, 2013 - 10:21 PM
Noooooooooooooooooo,fingers in ears,not listening,la la la la mmmmm mmmmm mmmmm
MAY 11, 2013 - 12:32 AM
MAY 11, 2013 - 03:46 AM
Pardon the reference, but I fear you are at the point where resistance is futile Andy
MAY 11, 2013 - 10:11 AM
   
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