Airfix's forthcoming 1:1200 Sink the Bismarck set

[LouCoatney]

Again, its webpage is at http://www.airfix.com/airfix-products/n ... ps-a50120/;

Someone on NavWarGames has said his hobby shop has told him that the set won't be out until June 20th. This is unfortunate, since late this month/May is the 70th anniversary of the Bismarck battles, and public interest would peak at that time.

Also, it seems that the beautiful English actress Dana Wynter died on May 6th in California, although there has been little or no media coverage about that. Folks here may remember that she co-starred (as a sympathetic WREN officer in Admiralty Operations) with Kenneth More in the still-great movie Sink the Bismarck.

And I continue to work on my complementary set of 1:1200 cardstock paper models of the other Royal Navy ships involved, which I hope will enhance the attractiveness of the Airfix set. Updates/photos are on my webpage at http://www.coatneyhistory.com/3D1200cardmodels.htm;

Comments by me and others about Airfix's Sink the Bismarck set on the previous UAMF are at http://gregers.7.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=14039; (Will they be there permanently?)

FINALLY, a major plastic model manufacturer is producing a 1:1200 set so desirable for wargaming and general play ... as well as traditional display! This is VERY EXCITING!

[Chris]

Man, haven't seen those guys in years.

[Chuck E]

I mentioned these to Airfix last year and the year before too, so I'm going to be out to get them. It's a shame that they are in a set, as I want a couple more HMS Hoods to modify. Also the Suffolk would be very useful as a base kit.

I hope these are so popular that Airfix complete the set.

KGV / PoW + Nelson / Rodney + Victorious + Sheffield + Dorsetshire . . . . . .

Maybe they could include a Catalina.

I'd best carry on with my replacement resin parts, I think.

[LouCoatney]

I just got a stock notification that the set is now out, although the webpage still shows it out of stock.

My work on my complimentary set of 1:1200 cardstock paper models which I described above proceeds. From a British supplier, I just got Plastruct (90849) .015"/.4mm plastic rod for the destroyer caliber guns of Cossack etc. and Piorun. I've even done a miniscule pixel by pixel Polish naval ensign ... with the left-facing chicken/eagle? ... for Piorun.

[Chuck E]

I picked it up today. Still looking good despite the age of the tools. The Bismarck is the worst of the models and needs a complete new hull. It should look just like the Prinz Eugen in profile, but the kit is way too short. The guns should not be that far short of the bow and stern. Airfix have moved the waterline up the hull, but it still needs work.

The box is the open end type, but don't worry, as it's got an internal tray which would be large enough to store all the finished models. I'm hoping that these sell and Airfix do a follow up set to go with them. We need Victorious, KGV, PoW and Rodney for a start. KGV and PoW would be almost identical. Lots of scope to modify Victorious to it's near sisters and Rodny could become Nelson. The illustration on the back is nice and you even get decals. I'm not sure about Ark Royal having a green deck at this point though. My references show a deep blue/grey. (B15 spec.) This would weather down in service.

[LouCoatney]

The latest update photos of my complementary Bismarck battles models are up at http://www.coatneyhistory.com/3D1200cardmodels.htm;

It's been a hectic, diaper-intense summer here.

[migdriver]

Wheres the Renown?My grand father sereved on her and she was a major part of Force H.I have a photo of Bismarck survivors on her decks tha he took.

[LouCoatney]

Of Force H, only Ark Royal's aircraft actually "exchanged fire" with Bismarck, so I have not done Renown and Sheffield (or Force H's F class destroyers).

I may do these in the future - look at the other model ships photos on my 2 webpages. I've already done the H class destroyers, both new/long and old/short bridges, so the Fs wouldn't be that much extra work. I assume you know that Trumpeter has an excellent 1/700 Renown out now.

As to Bismarck survivors on Renown's deck, they must have gotten there by way of Dorsetshire or Maori, which are the only British ships listed as picking up survivors.

Nice MiG. Did you ever do Aurora's old "MIG 19?"