DKM Bismarck
by Steve Power

1/600 DKM Bismarck (Airfix)

It has been my ambition to re build all the Airfix kits that I built as a boy. The Airfix Bismarck kit was especially challenging as most of it needed remodelling. I could do nothing about the length and beam but I raised the armoured belt and placed the waterline at the correct level. The bulkheads on the main deck were detailed and the raised deck abaft "X" turret was reshaped and the large ventilators added. Detail was added to the main deck.

I worked on the superstructure in sections; the bridge, funnel and the aft hanger/structure. Each section was detailed, adding and taking away from the original as required. These separate structures, plus the turrets, were painted individually then fixed into position.

I used the WEM Bismarck/Tirpitz PE fret for superdetailing. The hanger doors and catapult track are superb. The main turrets were detailed and I changed the barrels of the 5.9" secondary armament. The WEM Kriegmarine armament set was used for the 20mm and 37mm anti aircraft guns; these are excellent, but beware, not for the faint hearted!

The original masts were exchanged for tubing and the WEM fittings added. I used nylon thread for the rigging (from an old wig) and watercolours for the battle flag. Slight weathering was applied using watercolours, pastels and graphite.

I made up a wooden frame and sprayed a white sheet with dark blue and black aerosol paint to create an atmosphereric back drop for the photos. Changing the lighting makes for some interesting lifelike pictures. I`ve always been fasinated by the early dawn photo of Bismarck firing a salvo at Prince of Wales, and I based my model on this with the main and secondary armament and directors on a starboard bearing.

There is a wealth of information available on Bismarck, and during the course of the four month build I accumulated a staggering collection of literature and pictures. Building the model has left me in awe of the 1930`s technology involved in Bismarck and what a hamdsome, well balanced and powerful battleship she was. Was everything possible done to free the damaged jammed rudder? Why did Lutjens send so many messages, giving away his position time and again? What would have happened if Scharnhorst and Gneisenau had accompanied Bismarck on operation Reinbung, as was the original Plan?

I have enjoyed building and upgrading Aifix`s Bismarck of 1962 vintage, although time and again I thought that a more recent kit would have solved many of the problems I encountered and I must admit the modern kits look excellent- a tad better than my stubby version!