1:700 German Battleship Bismarck 1941 Hoist (For Flyhawk FH1132)

Flyhawk 1:700 photo-etched parts, Bismarck 1941

An accessory for ship modelers in 1:700 scale from Flyhawk. It is not a kit but a fret of photo-etched metal parts meant to replace the coarser plastic components of the hoisting gear on a model of the battleship Bismarck as she was in 1941. The set is cut for the kit by the same maker, which has to be bought separately. Before use the photo-etch is parted from the fret, shaped, and only then glued to the model.

The real subject

Bismarck was the largest battleship the Kriegsmarine committed in the Second World War. On deck she carried boats and seaplanes, which were lowered and raised by cranes and raised arms. In 1:700 scale these structures have sections so thin that injection-molded plastic cannot capture them faithfully: the part would have to be several times thicker than the real thing. That is why on demanding builds they are replaced with photo-etch, which is tenths of a millimeter thick.

Use

• cut the parts from the fret with a sharp knife on a hard surface; do not snap them out
• make the bends over a metal ruler or in a photo-etch bender
• glue with CA glue applied with the tip of a wire, not straight from the bottle
• degrease the photo-etch before painting and give it a primer for metal
• let the finished parts cure before you touch the model again

The set is meant for experienced modelers. The ship kit, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.