I got the 1/350 Bismarck from Tamiya for my birthday, and I really want to add some serious detail to it.
I fell off a roof in Nov. 2002 and suddenly had ALOT of spare time on my hands, so I decided to get back into scale modeling after 13 or 14 years when I considered it (don’t kill me) “childish.”
OK, I’m a jackass I admit it. Anyway, I’ve been getting alot better, even to the point of scratch building extras and stupid ideas like packing around 350 fiber optic strands into a 1/700 scale IJN Suzuya waterline kit [:D] but I’ve never even seen a PE kit, much less worked with one.
Anything y’all could tell me would be a real help. What comes in the kit, any special tools I can’t live without (comp. doesn’t pay me really well, so I’m on a tight budget.) how easy it is too use, anything I should be careful of, and any other ideas or tips I need to know.
[:)] Thanks.
Gold Metal Models makes very nice PE sets. I think they are well worth the money you pay for them. Loren has great customer service in case parts are missing or damaged. To begin with use a hard surface to cut the parts from the fret. A really sharp #11 exato blade woks wonders. For bending use a utility blade and if you have a set of drill bits around the house they are great for making round bends of all different sizes. Hope this helps…
David C
DCShips
The GMM set for the Bismarck is great. It really dresses up the ship nicely. I would suggest you buy or borrow a copy of Mike Ashey’s book “Basics of Ship Modeling”. He offers lots of good advice and photos in there. The Tamiya Bismarck is a great kit; you’ll love it. Good luck!
Paul
I build a 1/350 Bismark with the GMM PH, and let me tell you that was my first model ever, and the PH its great fits well and i only use pliers, hobbie knive and krazy glue.
Go for it and have fun.