Tamiya bismarck 1/350 with upgrade kit

[Pantherman]

I had decided to build this kit over the Xmas holiday but I just can't wait that long.

My upgrades arrived before the ship so couldn't help myself and have started on the PE work.

I know this drives some modelers mad but I really like it. Slow and methodical works with my OCD side.

So as promised on another thread I will show you the upgrade kit which im very impressed with as it was a cheap version of others I had seen. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

And a nice steady start. Pantherman

 

[BarleyBop]

@Pantherman , what are (and where did you get) those bending templates? Look like a great idea!

 

[Pantherman]

@Pantherman , what are (and where did you get) those bending templates? Look like a great idea!

They were very handy for bending the long side's of the aircraft launch.

Got the set for around £6 on Ali express. Look for etching plates. Pantherman

 

[trekriffic]

Nice PE work Pantherman. Those bending plates look very handy to have.

 

[Pantherman]

Nice PE work Pantherman. Those bending plates look very handy to have.

Thanks. Yes, well worth having as sometimes the vice just doesn't fit the PE. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

They were very handy for bending the long side's of the aircraft launch.

Got the set for around £6 on Ali express. Look for etching plates. Pantherman View attachment 165464View attachment 165465View attachment 165466View attachment 165467

I have also found this 60 second gel CA to be really nice to use. I made myself a little application tool as well. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

I have also found this 60 second gel CA to be really nice to use. I made myself a little application tool as well. Pantherman

View attachment 165543

And the tool made from an old paintbrush and a metal pin rod I used for posts on a uboat build. Pantherman

 

[BarleyBop]

60 second gel

Nice... I find gel to be really useful in some circumstances, and I like your applicator tool! I keep a bunch of pins at hand just for that. They are easy to clean once dry, with a gentle squeeze of the pliers that just cracks the glue off.
I like to apply the smallest speck of gel exactly where a little part will go, knowing that the gel won't run or harden before I get the part positioned.

 

[kevin]

I have also found this 60 second gel CA to be really nice to use. I made myself a little application tool as well. Pantherman

View attachment 165543

Great mines think alike.
I picked this up at the local hardware store, this is ULTRA Liguid as opposed to your Power Gel, works just as good or better than the more expensive CA glue I ordered online.

 

[Rockin' Rob]

I'm heading to the hardware store. I've been telling myself for about a month and a half that I need something better. You always seem to be building something different every week so I have to ask. How many models do you build per week? Two or three?

 

[Pantherman]

I'm heading to the hardware store. I've been telling myself for about a month and a half that I need something better. You always seem to be building something different every week so I have to ask. How many models do you build per week? Two or three?

I don't really build per week but I like to have 2-3 projects on the go which roll over. Depends what I'm interested in at the time. Pantherman

 

[Rockin' Rob]

Ah, no wonder. I said to myself, wow he's always building something different every time I get on this site. And they all turn out so good. And fast. I thought we was retired?

 

[Pantherman]

Ah, no wonder. I said to myself, wow he's always building something different every time I get on this site. And they all turn out so good. And fast. I thought we was retired?

Thanks for the compliments. I do love building as it gets rid of alot of stress and I still have to work to earn the pennies for my kits.

Im mostly a weekend builder but an hour or so some evenings really helps if the day has been trying. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

Got some more of the PE done. The kit arrived, xmas came early.

Started with the parts that have PE on them. This is going to be fun.

Thinking of getting another set of PE with the hatches and hanger details. Looking like I'm going to end up with more metal than plastic. Pantherman

 

[kevin]

I love the brass barrels.
Have you received your "Anatomy of the Ship" book yet?

 

[Pantherman]

I love the brass barrels.
Have you received your "Anatomy of the Ship" book yet?

Should be with me next week. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

I'm going to need new eyes by the time I have done all the PE on this build. Pantherman

 

[trekriffic]

Yep… you can always tell the dedicated modelers from the more casual ones by the amount of styrene plastic residue under their fingernails. You, Pantherman, are the real deal!

 

[Pantherman]

Yep… you can always tell the dedicated modelers from the more casual ones by the amount of styrene plastic residue under their fingernails. You, Pantherman, are the real deal!

Must remember to get the claws manicured for the next photo shoot........... Pantherman

 

[Richard55]

Thats a great start.P.E fights me always but i think its just Mr Sausage clumsy claws is more like me,Great modelling
Richard

 

[Pantherman]

Thats a great start.P.E fights me always but i think its just Mr Sausage clumsy claws is more like me,Great modelling
Richard

Thanks. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

This book is absolutely amazing, every detail that you could possibly want to know is here.
Beautiful crisp close ups of every part. Love it. Pantherman

 

[kevin]

I found the same is true for the USS IOWA book in the series.
It's the only one I've seen, so I was curious about your Bismarck book.
One review I saw for my book was that "it is a must have for the modeler."

 

[Pantherman]

This book is absolutely amazing, every detail that you could possibly want to know is here.
Beautiful crisp close ups of every part. Love it. P

I found the same is true for the USS IOWA book in the series.
It's the only one I've seen, so I was curious about your Bismarck book.
One review I saw for my book was that "it is a must have for the modeler."

I could not agree more, definitely a must have.
if anyone wants some photos of part's they are struggling with just ask, happy to share.
Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

Wow, the details in the book are incredible. Pantherman

 

[Pantherman]

And just to get further down the rabbit hole my extra PE arrived.
Hour's of fun to be had. Pantherman

 

[kevin]

I'm curious if Tamiya supplied good PE with the kit.
One thing that has saved me a couple times on my USS IOWA build is having duplicate PE parts. The ones supplied with the Trumpeter kit and the Pontos upgrade PE kit. The Pontos ones are usually better in detail quality, ( but the Trumpeter PE is pretty good at 1/200 scale ),but easily broken if manipulated too much.

I'm loving my " Anatomy of the Ship" book so much It's tempting me to build other ships just so I can buy the corresponding book.

 

[Pantherman]

I'm curious if Tamiya supplied good PE with the kit.
One thing that has saved me a couple times on my USS IOWA build is having duplicate PE parts. The ones supplied with the Trumpeter kit and the Pontos upgrade PE kit. The Pontos ones are usually better in detail quality, ( but the Trumpeter PE is pretty good at 1/200 scale ),but easily broken if manipulated too much.

I'm loving my " Anatomy of the Ship" book so much It's tempting me to build other ships just so I can buy the corresponding book.

The 1/350 tamiya does not come with any PE.
I know what you mean about wanting to build other ships to get the books. I think I will go 1/350 with the other kit's until I save up enough to start the 1/200. Pantherman

 

[Jantk14]

I wish I had the patience for all that PE. I do enjoy ship builds. My one experience with it building the New Jersey didn't go well at all. I found it very difficult and very difficult to see. Ended up not using it but wish I did.