by Martin J. Quinn
1/700 DKM Gneisenau (Tamiya)
The kit was modified using parts from a 1/700 Tamiya Scharnhorst to convert the Gneisenau from a 1939 to 1940 version. This meant adding the covered Admiral's bridge, different director on top of the forward superstructure and deleting the catapult from number 3 turret. Technically, the aircraft hangar should be smaller, but I didn't want to have to rescribe the deck, so I left it as is.
Clipper brass barrels were used for the 11 inch main armament, while the blast bags on the main and secondary turrets are made from Milliput (my first attempt at using this medium). The masts are made from brass rod.
The photo-etch is the very fine White Ensign set made specifically for the Scharnhorst class ships. The FuMo 22 radar atop the forward director is from Tom's Modelworks German Radar set. Rigging is ultra-thin Den fly-fishing monofilament, which looks good, but was a nightmare to attach.
The ship is painted with White Ensign colourcoats. The superstructure is Hellgrau 50, while the Hull is Dunkelgrau 2 over Dunkelgrau 51. The model depicts the Gneisenau in June 1940 at the end of Operation Juno, after she had been torpedoed by the British submarine HMS Clyde, but before her return trip to Germany.
Much thanks to Antonio Bonomi for his help in providing information about the camouflage scheme and the Gneisenau's fit during this time period.
