The Strike Models mold for the Bismarck, from Swampworks, does have inaccuracies in the stern relating to the prop shafts. Here's what Stephen wrote a few months back on the Big Gun Forum: I believe it was Swampy's first fiberglass mold, and he took some liberties to make the ship easier to work with and lay up (noticably in the back end). In Fast Gun, a single large prop shaft (3/16" or 1/4") is run through the the problem section and a much larger prop is added. There is also a whole section of the curve going to the prop is just missing. I would have liked that the mold been a better shape, but it is not something that I can change or economically replace. Stephen is in transit to this weekend's battle in LA right now. If you're there, you can ask him in person. Otherwise, I'll have him email me a clarification that I'll post to the list. Keri Morgret Strike Models
There's a third Bismarck option out there somewhere. Ralph Coles made an absolutely beautiful Tirpitz hull.
Actually there is a pic of that hull on the Strikemodels site. It shows a pic of the hull. It looks exactly like the one Ralph makes. Maybe Ralph sold the mold? It doesn't look like the Swampy Bismarck hull anymore. I have both Swampy old hull and Ralph's version.
This is what we got with the purchase of Swampworks, and I know that we did not separately buy the mold from Ralph. I have no idea if Swampy got another mold done -- am not aware that he did, but will ask Stephen when he's back from LA.
I bought a full Bismarck kit from Swampworks 5 years ago. At that time, the hull wasn't even remotely close to scale. It had no provisions for running three prop shafts, the stern was fat and round, and the bow was fat and blunt. I have not seen the current version of it, and don't know if the shape of it has ever been corrected, but Stephen at Strike says it's still set up for Fast Gun (one single center, oversized prop). Since I wanted it for Big Gun, I had to cut out the entire stern section and remake it to make provisions for adding the two additional props. I cut off the bow and replaced it with a scale bow, too, but that was just because I wanted it to look right. Here are some photos of this conversion. Rob
Battlers Connection Bismark is made from 3 different prints. It was Cad drawn in Solid Works and the plug was cut on a CNC Router. and Professionally fiberglass molded. As for being better than someone elses hull thats for the you to decide. Thank you RonH
I had one of Ralph Coles Tirpitz hulls and it was a really well done hull, very accurate and it works well in the water.
