So the Revell Bismarck is under way and the first part of the build I started with is the armament. First let me say that the Revell kit is a step above all else out the in the 1:350 scale market. If you really want to do a detailed Bismarck, this is the place to start. Secondly, the LionRoar Super detail set for this kit is amazing in detail PE, turned brass barrels, and various resin detail parts. However, there is a draw back to this set and that would be the cryptic instructions and the total lack of instructions for all of the PE railing parts and no instructions what-so-ever for the brass barrels. That said, most who have worked with PE, brass or resin parts, can manage to piece in the details. Anyway, on to the build Part 1.
First job or task was to clean up each part needed for the high angle guns to prepare them for the PE and resin parts that will go on them for detailing. I started by replacing the plastic barrels with the brass ones, and thus far all is well and they match up well. These guns (barrels) are very fine in detail and very small, so care must be taken to install them correctly. Image 1 shows the brass barrel installed along side the over sized plastic one of the kit, but I must say that the kits natural barrels are still a step above other kits as far as scale and detail. Image 2 show better detail of the barrel comparison. I had to cleanly cut the plastic barrel off, then drill a center hole so that the brass one could be fitted flush with the mount. Super glue is used at this point and once cured, these barrels are very sturdy and makes the completed piece very solid. Image 3 shows the base and housing unit that is being cleaned up of molded details so that the PE and resin parts can be added before painting. I will paint the barrels and bases first before final assembly.
Click on images to enlarge.
Then moving on to the secondary batteries, I again began by cleaning up the base, barrel group, and armament casing. This group was a bit more tricky on the barrels due to the way it assembles inside the casing. It took much care to remove the plastic barrels and drill the pilot hole for the brass barrel nubs that attach to the barrel mount. Again, all details are being removed for the PE details. So the new barrels are installed, then attached to the gun bases and left unattached to the housing for detail painting and weathering for the final products. Images 4 thru 8 show the progress and details of these batteries coming together minus the PE details which will follow in Armament Part 2.
The next step was working the main batteries. The plastic barrels are attached to a "C" brace that clamps onto the gun barrel base so that the barrels may be raised or lowered as desired, however, I am fixing the barrels into their final position and gluing them down. Again, the battery housing will be cleaned up of details that will be replaced by PE parts, such as ladders, railing, optic covers and sighting structures. Images 9 thru 15 show details of turret 1 and the brass barrels fitted. Armament Part 2 will cover these batteries again when all PE and resin details have been added and all parts will be ready for painting and weathering.
First job or task was to clean up each part needed for the high angle guns to prepare them for the PE and resin parts that will go on them for detailing. I started by replacing the plastic barrels with the brass ones, and thus far all is well and they match up well. These guns (barrels) are very fine in detail and very small, so care must be taken to install them correctly. Image 1 shows the brass barrel installed along side the over sized plastic one of the kit, but I must say that the kits natural barrels are still a step above other kits as far as scale and detail. Image 2 show better detail of the barrel comparison. I had to cleanly cut the plastic barrel off, then drill a center hole so that the brass one could be fitted flush with the mount. Super glue is used at this point and once cured, these barrels are very sturdy and makes the completed piece very solid. Image 3 shows the base and housing unit that is being cleaned up of molded details so that the PE and resin parts can be added before painting. I will paint the barrels and bases first before final assembly.
Then moving on to the secondary batteries, I again began by cleaning up the base, barrel group, and armament casing. This group was a bit more tricky on the barrels due to the way it assembles inside the casing. It took much care to remove the plastic barrels and drill the pilot hole for the brass barrel nubs that attach to the barrel mount. Again, all details are being removed for the PE details. So the new barrels are installed, then attached to the gun bases and left unattached to the housing for detail painting and weathering for the final products. Images 4 thru 8 show the progress and details of these batteries coming together minus the PE details which will follow in Armament Part 2.
The next step was working the main batteries. The plastic barrels are attached to a "C" brace that clamps onto the gun barrel base so that the barrels may be raised or lowered as desired, however, I am fixing the barrels into their final position and gluing them down. Again, the battery housing will be cleaned up of details that will be replaced by PE parts, such as ladders, railing, optic covers and sighting structures. Images 9 thru 15 show details of turret 1 and the brass barrels fitted. Armament Part 2 will cover these batteries again when all PE and resin details have been added and all parts will be ready for painting and weathering.
