by Robert Apfelzweig
1/350 Prinz Eugen (Trumpeter)
I have just completed work on my latest model kit, the splendid Trumpeter DKM Prinz Eugen as she appeared at the end of the war when interned at Copenhagen. The Prinz Eugen was the only large Deutsche Kriegsmarine surface warship to survive the war essentially intact, only to succumb a year later to the Bikini atomic bomb tests. Trumpeter's kit seems to represent a major improvement in quality for them (completing it, as I did, after their disappointing 1:350 USS Hornet, CV-8), as the fit of the pieces is very good and my only quibble is that the hangar for the second Arado floatplane is too shallow, so that the hangar roof cannot be closed over the tail or the propeller (which cannot be seen anyway in this configuration) and still have the roof fit. Also, Trumpeter provides decals for only a single Arado, though complete parts for two are included in the kit.
This kit was detailed with Eduard's photoetch set (including a separate one for the light AA guns, from which I made the 4-gun pompoms and the paired light AA guns atop the bridge), which is in steel rather than brass and includes copper anchor chains (which I blackened with Super Blue Liquid Gun Blue), and Master Models 8-in., 4.1-in. and 37 mm brass gun barrels. The Eduard set does not include railings but Trumpeter provides these as separate brass frets in the kit. I also did some minor scratchbuilding on the bridge. This is also the first time I have used an Artwox wooden deck, which I think considerably enhances the appearance of the model and provides an excellent fit and adhesion wherever it was used, with cutouts for the various deck or other features that must protrude through it.
I used Tamiya paints for the ship as instructed by Trumpeter – XF19 gray for the hull and superstructure, but German Gray XF63 for the hull booting and several decks and Hull Red for the hull below the waterline. A narrow dark (not quite black) strip just along the waterline was made with Humbrol Midnight Blue. The wooden decks required no paint. As a personal aside, I was reluctant to apply the Nazi swastika decals on the forecastle and quarterdecks, but decide ultimately to do so in the interest solely of historical accuracy. Their display is not intended to offend anyone.
