I’ve been looking at the Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck and noticed that there are two kits, 78001 and 78013. I know 78001 has been discontinued but is still available on e-bay and online hobby outlets.
Does anyone know what the differences are between the two kits? I’m leaning towards 78013 and then adding a PE detail set. Any info would be most appreciated.
The difference between the two kits is the cost and the box art. If you can find the 78001, purchase it and put the savings toward the PE.
The good folks at Tamiya apparently think that by just changing the product number and jacking the price - no one will notice. Well I was born at night - but not last night.
Ed’s right. There is no difference in the kit other than the price and box art. Apparently the Tamiya folks got frustrated with modelers “willingly” handing over $100+ a kit for the Trumpter releases and wanted to get in on the act without going through the hassle of actually retooling their kits. I went to my local hobby shop the other day and saw the “brand new” Tamiya 1/350 Missouri for $85.95 !! Just two weeks ago, the earlier release of the same kit was in the same spot for $52.00. I’m all for supporting my local hobby shop and all, and I do on other things, but Jeez !! [wow] If you’re patient enough on eBay, you can probably get one for around $20 less shipping. That’s how much I paid for mine a couple of years ago.There’s usually not a whole lot of competition bidding on the Bismarck kits. But, PoW, Missouri, Yamato and New Jersey is a different story. But even they usually don’t sell for more than $45 or so.
Ted
Tamiya at ther old repackaging hijincks again, which stinks.
Buy the original, and the GMM photo etched set. You should also try to get the superscale swaticka set for the bow insignia. The model is fantastic kit. I will put up some pics of mine when I get time.
Just another note on LHS prices. I long ago found that I could not buy kits from the shop. My savings per year on the net is well over $1,000 dollars a year…that is a lot of freakin supplies and paint , is it not. I bought my 350th Tamiya Enterprise for $130 dollars on the net, when it was over 200 in the shop (for instance). Just finished a 1/35 king tiger which I paid $36 dollars for on the net…its $53 in the shop. Common sense man!
Iron Shipwright offers a sheet of German Naval decals which includes pre-war and wartime state flags, naval ensigns, commissioning pennants, and admiral/command flags.
I sprayed the center of the swaztica out of deference to people who find the image offensive.
http://www.commanderseries.com/accessories.html
The swaztica is printed on a white disc. You will still need to mask & paint the red background.
Jon at ISW once told me that armor modelers found his decal sheet useful for sleeve marks on figures.
Ok, I managed to find 78013 for $54 on the internet and ordered it. I just HAD to have it now. [;)]
I’ve seen several different PE sets for this kit and am having a hard time deciding which one/ones to get. decisions decisions…
Don’t know if you have seen the White Ensign photo etched deck plates for the superstructure?
The superstruture decks have been molded deviod of detail & this cures it. White Ensign Models also do what looks to be a very thorough PE sheet, but it isn’t cheap.
Am thinking of combining the WEM deck sheet with the cheaper Toms Modelworlks sheet. Have just got the Toms sheet for the Trumpeter Hood & am impressed with it.
I plan on going with White Ensign Models PE sets, all three of them available for this kit for my Bismarck. I also plan on planking the deck. I was inspired by a Bismarck model built by Ed Keegan who did all of those things. Check it out:
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery/bb/dkm/bismarck-350-ek/ek-index.html
Ted
[:O] [wow] Ed Keegan’s work is amazing! That Bismarck he made is gorgeous! And he painstakingly made a real wooden deck! [8D]
This will be my first attempt at a ship since I built a Bismarck back in my teens… many, many years ago. I think I’ll built my old Airfix Bismarck first, just go get my ship building techniques a dry run. I really want to go all out on the Tamiya kit as far as the PE is concerned, which will be a first for me. I hope I’m not taking on more than I can chew.
Hi Scott,
Yeah, that’s a great job huh ? Amazing. That’s a good plan to do the old Airfix Bismarck first. White Ensign Models has a PE set for that Bismarck as well: WEM 1/600 “Ultimate” Kriegsmarine Set 1 - The Battleships
That set will outfit the Airfix Bismarck, giving you some practice on the PE as well. I built the Tamiya Bismarck in my early 20’s some 25 years ago. I picked up another Tamiya Bismarck kit to some day do an “Uber” Bismarck like Ed’s. My first Bismarck came out alright for it’s day, but with today’s PE and aftermarket stuff, my next Bismarck should make my first one look like a toy boat. I even wrote to Ed asking him how he did it and where he got the wood. He was good enough to respond telling me all but the largest molded on deck features need to be cut off and reapplied after the deck is planked. That may be a little hairy, but do-able. If you want the web site for the deck lumber, let me know and I’ll post it. Also, if you really want to get nuts with this kit, you should get the brass barrel set from Steve Nuttal.
Don’t worry about taking on more than you can chew. You’ll get a better idea of your limits when you do the Airfix Bismarck, and then just work within those guidlines for the Tamiya Bismarck. The Tamiya Bismarck is a great kit and goes together real well. You’ll be more than satisfied.
Ted
Very sound advice Ted. [:)] I’ll get a PE set for the airfix kit for the practice, which I know I’ll need! [:O] I’ll then have a much better idea what my capabilities and limitations are.
My Tamiya Bismarck should arrive towards the end of this week. I’ll give it a good looking over, then start researching what I’d like to enhance or upgrade.
Thanks for the info! [:)]
I was checking out the PE sets on the White Ensign Models website, they seem really nice. How good are the instructions for those? Do they show how to put it all together? Where to place each part? [?] Specifically I’m looking at set WEM 3529. Anyone have any experience with this set? Does it include all the goodies, deck plates etc? Any info would be most appreciated. [:)]
Edit. ok, from what I can gather, WEM has two PE sets specifically for the 1/350 Bismarck, and one additional set for Kriegsmarine AA guns? Am I understanding that correctly?
See the review of the WEM detail set at SteelNavy
http://www.steelnavy.com/WEM350BismarckSet.htm
Like most of Steve Backer’s reviews there is an overall picture of the fret, then upclose pictures of the individual parts. Here is fret A.
and here is fret B.
WEM’s directions are good, they show you how to fold many of the pieces, but like most aftermarket there is an arrow which says put it there - not x inches from the breakwater. Additional references may be necessary.
The basic Bismarck set does not include the light flak weapons. These are available on fret 3566.
This is an additional set which includes decks for the Bismarck. Item 3565
Cool, thanks for the info. I was checking out that review and trying to figure out what was what on the WEM website. So, if I really wanted to go all out I’d need sets 3529, 3566 and 3565. Time to start accumulating reference material while I anxiously await the arrival of the kit.
Yes, I know, I need therapy. [;)]
According to the tracking info, my Bismarck is waiting for me on the porch!!! I wanna go home NOW!!! [}:)][:)]
espins1 - I hear the British Enigma decoders have penetrated the UPS tracking system. You’d best get home NOW, lest some 1/350 Swordfish get there first.
I’ve unleashed another German secret weapon… my wife is already on her way home. In fact, she should be putting it in the house out of harms way at this very moment! muwahahahaaaa! How ironic that the Italian is bailing out the German this time. [(-D]
Now… where to find some allied shiping for some target practice… [;)] [}:)]
I’ll go on record now saying that the Tamiya 1/350 Bismarck is a very nice kit. The box art is beautiful! I may even frame it and hang it on the wall in my den above the model when it’s done.
The photo-etch add ons are a must however, a kit in this scale needs all the detail that they provide, especially with the railings, fixtures etc. I can tell already this is going to be one of those long projects, but will be a tremendous learning experience and hopefully it will be good enough to display proudly on a custom shelf on the wall. [8D]
I wouldn’t worry too much about that espin1, your modeling skills are too good to screw it up!
BTW, both versions are available at luckymodel.com. They have both Bismarck, Tirpitz and New Jersey old and new versions with a 20$ difference for each kit. Isn’t weird?