Battleship Tirpitz, 1/350 Trumpeter

[Mattilacken]

So this will be my first non car/tank build since I was a kid. 
This is the fairly new Trumpeter kit in 1/350 scale and it has more than 1900 pieces and then I have added some with some extra PE and people. The kit already include quite a lot of PE so I did not buy an extra full set.

It have had this on my want to build list for ages since Tirpitz have a personal connection. We have my parents cabin in Norway outside of Narvik where Tirpitz was stationed under couple of occasions. And when it was “sunk”, actually rotated with the hull up buy bombs, it was outside of Tromsø which is close to where my fathers family live. And my dad did actually dive on the remainings of Tirpitz back in the 70’s or 80’s.

Anny way, I have joined the hull together and smothened some joints and added the deck and minor parts. And after that I started to install doors and window hatches. More when it happens.

[mustang1989]

I am SO dialed in to this build Anton. I've never built a naval vessel before but builds like this sure inspire me to try one out.

Following..........

Edited November 13 by mustang1989

[Mattilacken]

14 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

I am SO dialed in to this build Anton. I've never built a naval vessel before but builds like this sure inspire me to try one out.

Following..........

Cool man! These ships are way cool and the history is realy interesting! 

Here is a pic of my build rougly 22 years ago (2002). A bit rough to say the least, this was before i spraypainted. Fun fact... the sign in german behind the carrier is something my dad found way back on one of the german Destroyers found in the fjords around Narvik.

[mustang1989]

2 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

Cool man! These ships are way cool and the history is realy interesting! 

Here is a pic of my build rougly 22 years ago (2002). A bit rough to say the least, this was before i spraypainted. Fun fact... the sign in german behind the carrier is something my dad found way back on one of the german Destroyers found in the fjords around Narvik.

First off, we all started from somewhere Anton. If I showed you some of my builds from 22 years ago it would be the same..... "a bit rough". But hey, we're back in this thing and learnin' along the way right? Secondly, that sign is REALLY neat. I've got a Luftwaffe Pilots Badge in my hobby room in a shadow box along with my father in laws awards and medals. 

[Mattilacken]

 

4 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

First off, we all started from somewhere Anton. If I showed you some of my builds from 22 years ago it would be the same..... "a bit rough". But hey, we're back in this thing and learnin' along the way right? Secondly, that sign is REALLY neat. I've got a Luftwaffe Pilots Badge in my hobby room in a shadow box along with my father in laws awards and medals. 

True that! And we did the best we could!  yes it is I have some other things I can take photo of the other day. 
okay that sounds super cool! 
 

made some progress I mocked up and cleaned the surcfaces of the super structure. And I must say parts fit like a dream on this one! And the details out of the box is really good! Just look at the smoke stack and Al the nice PE.

above the midship can be seen with the halves of the smokestack joined together. Bellow after joining the half’s and installing the two top parts.

some PÉ details to be added.

[mustang1989]

The amount of detail that can be put into these ships is simply amazing and you're already off to a great start with this Anton. This is really going to be a good one to watch. 

[Mattilacken]

Thanks! And i put in an order for more PÉ today since I realized that the bridge wings are those of Bismarck and not the lightweight version of Tirpitz. I also saw that the model is inaccurate in some other bits like the funnel. So I will remove the work from yesterday and scratch build these parts. Se my nice reference photo that I found and enhanced. Photos from the book “ Battleship of the Bismarck class”

[mustang1989]

To me, the research portion of model building is as much fun as building the model itself. Good catch bud. 

[Mattilacken]

@mustang1989 I could not agree more! I enjoy that part as well! 
 

here is a start on the new funnel.

It’s close enough for me shape vise.

[mustang1989]

Great improvement man and well worth the extra effort. 

[Madhatter]

I wish Trumpeter were a little more consistent with the level of details that they add to their ship kits. Take that funnel for example: its got some great detail there - nice crisp vents and raised rivets etc, but why can they do that all over the ship where it's highly visible? Like VeryFire did with the recent Yamato release (just without the 5000 sheets of PE you get with it). I realise its usually down to a cost thing, but still, a little more consistency would be nice. Still, at least they're producing subjects no one else will do in 1/350. Gotta be happy about that (and I so am)!

Speaking of PE, you've done some really tidy work there! I wish mine was as neat. I really struggle with PE at times. It can be just a box shape and I'll still find a way to screw it up Bend it the wrong way. Snap it. Get CA smudges ALL over the place except where it needs to be. Gluing my fingers to the PE part after spending 5 hours carefully manipulating it into place.  You know, the usual issues one faces with PE. I found the secret to be Tamiya's Craft Bond Glue. You'd think it wouldn't hold PE very well, but it really does. Great stuff and way safer to use than CA.  And, if you do a me and muck it up, you can just wash it off with water and you're back to where you were before. Easy!

So, are you going to stick with the usual camo scheme or go down another route? Regardless, I'll be tuning in for this one.

Edited November 15 by Madhatter

[Mattilacken]

7 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

Great improvement man and well worth the extra effort. 

Right! Thanks ?

 

1 hour ago, Madhatter said:

I wish Trumpeter were a little more consistent with the level of details that they add to their ship kits. Take that funnel for example: its got some great detail there - nice crisp vents and raised rivets etc, but why can they do that all over the ship where it's highly visible? Like VeryFire did with the recent Yamato release (just without the 5000 sheets of PE you get with it). I realise its usually down to a cost thing, but still, a little more consistency would be nice. Still, at least they're producing subjects no one else will do in 1/350. Gotta be happy about that (and I so am)!

Speaking of PE, you've done some really tidy work there! I wish mine was as neat. I really struggle with PE at times. It can be just a box shape and I'll still find a way to screw it up Bend it the wrong way. Snap it. Get CA smudges ALL over the place except where it needs to be. Gluing my fingers to the PE part after spending 5 hours carefully manipulating it into place.  You know, the usual issues one faces with PE. I found the secret to be Tamiya's Craft Bond Glue. You'd think it wouldn't hold PE very well, but it really does. Great stuff and way safer to use than PE.  And, if you do a me and muck it up, you can just wash it off with water and you're back to where you were before. Easy!

So, are you going to stick with the usual camo scheme or go down another route? Regardless, I'll be tuning in for this one.

True that! But i must say comparing pictures i have seen of Revell or Tamiya kits of Tirpitz that Trumpeter have made som great progress, but as you say, lack in som areas. Probobly come down to how you cast your parts as well, the chimney was two piece and most of the front castle is cast as one entire flor which reduces the posibilitys i guess for greater details. An other thing i was thinking off, since there is so few differences between Tirpitz and Bismarck, get those areas right.  

True that, i am also happy they make them!

Thanks! I found a flexible CA when i ordered the doors that suposidbly should be better, and so far it gives me some wigle room untill it sets and then its not as hard as other CA which makes it some what flexible. And then its down to using tooth picks that i sharpen and fine pliers And the smal tool for bending PE that i got also helps out when i screw up to straighten them  the pieces in the funnel have been straightened several times haha.

 

I was thinking to make a camo that it had when it was in Narvik but it was there several times so I dont know which one yet.. will see if i find some that i like more, it wont be OB I think at least.

[Madhatter]

Mate, this is miles ahead of Revell and Tamiya in terms of detail! I built the Tamiya Bismarck and you can easily see its age - even with the Eduard PE set attached.

I didn't know the Tirpitz wore any other splinter camo than the one you always see him in? (and for those who weren't aware, that's not a typo - the German's referred to their ships as male - not female like everyone else)

From my understanding, he pretty much stayed in Norwegian waters after the sinking of the Bismarck. The nutter in charge at the time didn't want to loose another capital ship, so he made Tirpitz stay in those waters.

That's super cool your Grandfather got to see the Tirpitz and that your Dad dove on the wreck! Have you dived on it at all? Are you lucky enough to have actual photos of him whilst he was there, taken by your Grandfather?

Edited November 15 by Madhatter
fixing my poor grammar

[Mattilacken]

I can imagine, those molds are dated and i guess worn as well! 

O Tirpitz was repainted often to hide it in its new location. Did not know that they where called as him. 

You are right on the history there. I even belive it was the Furer that made sure that Tirpitz did't see much action.

I havent been diving on Tirpitz but on an other German wreck, this summer a mate and I plan to go to some destroyers to dive on them.

I dont have any photos of my own, but I ad in a bunch of others on the camo and som just because they are cool.

[Mattilacken]

Edited November 15 by Mattilacken

[mustang1989]

I can tell that you're a fella that likes to do a fair amount of research on any given build to get the best out of it. It's fun as well as entertaining to read about the different camo schemes and the fact that they were repainted with each deployment. 

[Mattilacken]

@mustang1989 Yes i guess thats true, and i usaly ease in to it gradualy, start with a bit and end up with looking up many details! And many times I decide to do what I think will look good any how since I build for myself. But then I know the reality. Btw.. i rememberd there being other camoflages.. how about this one:

'

 

Edited November 15 by Mattilacken

[mustang1989]

That's frickin' crazy right there but it's pretty ingenious!! LOL! WOW!! 

[Madhatter]

10 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

@mustang1989 Yes i guess thats true, and i usaly ease in to it gradualy, start with a bit and end up with looking up many details! And many times I decide to do what I think will look good any how since I build for myself. But then I know the reality. Btw.. i rememberd there being other camoflages.. how about this one:

'

 

that red and white castle one is by far one of the trippiest RL camo I have ever seen! I never knew he was painted like that.  I've certainly never seen anyone ever build him in that scheme before great for blending into the factories in the harbor

Come to think of it, I'd never seen him in any of those other schemes either. The scheme from Altafjord makes him look like a large cruiser rather than a BB.

The bottom one looks like the Missouri or any other ship in the measure 22 scheme, although the deck sure is unique.

Thanks so much for sharing those pics Anton!

[Madhatter]

13 hours ago, Mattilacken said:

I can imagine, those molds are dated and i guess worn as well! 

O Tirpitz was repainted often to hide it in its new location. Did not know that they where called as him. 

You are right on the history there. I even belive it was the Furer that made sure that Tirpitz did't see much action.

I havent been diving on Tirpitz but on an other German wreck, this summer a mate and I plan to go to some destroyers to dive on them.

I dont have any photos of my own, but I ad in a bunch of others on the camo and som just because they are cool.

You're just lucky to be living in a place that is rich with WW2 German Naval history and have the opportunity to be able to dive on them too. What type of Destroyers are lying down there?

I'm telling you, ever since I started playing World Of Warships Legends 5 years ago, my interest in WW2 Naval hardware has just exploded from "couldn't care less about WW2 warships" to "I just can't get enough!! More please"

Never let it be said that video games rot your brain And, there are some pretty cool camos to be found there too. Its also great for rigging placement!

So, as this is your first ship in 20+ years, I'm going to guess that you have also been researching how to paint and weather these machines? I'll link you to these really amazing ship modellers who have taught me a lot about weathering etc and they may help you to (if you need any that is, but even still, they're pretty inspirational)

https://youtube.com/@sennavymodelfactory?si=1VrSkwTs7rXlPI1z

https://www.youtube.com/@Amegraphy

https://www.youtube.com/@Drydockinscale

https://www.youtube.com/@zbok

https://www.youtube.com/@studioblueocean4590

https://www.youtube.com/@EbroinSong

You may have already seen some of their videos, but they have some pretty cool content - especially Ebroin - man, that guy is a seriously amazing artist

For the history buff inside you, this guys also has some pretty interesting tales from WW2 and features some really neat footage

https://www.youtube.com/@DarkDocsSeas

Anyways mate, I'll let you crack on with it, but I'm looking forward to your next installment!

Si

[Mattilacken]

Made some progress the other day. The z and X bracing in the smoke stack have been started.

[Old Buckaroo]

You must have a steady hand like a surgeon working with the P/E, my hat is off to you for having the patience.  Keep up the great work !

[Mattilacken]

12 hours ago, Old Buckaroo said:

You must have a steady hand like a surgeon working with the P/E, my hat is off to you for having the patience.  Keep up the great work !

True that, but mine are not so steady al the time but enough;) But it takes some time.. i think that brass work is minimum 6h  

 

 

[mustang1989]

Dude......this is just NUTS!!! Extraordinary detailing Anton.

[Mattilacken]

Replaced my first walkway with PE, and made doors to the search light space functional(not hinged 🤓) also started modifications on the bigger platform and al the railings on the funnel. And started to reshape the structure infront of the funnel.