Description
This is a highly detailed kit in 1/700 scale, accurately portraying the DKM Bismarck as it embarked on its ill fated sortie in May 1941. The kit contains decals and a small photo-etch part for the centre of the catapult, together with an Arado 196 floatplane (comprising 12 parts) and a colour instruction manual.
Bismarck’s keel was laid down in 1936 and was launched in February 1939, entering service with the German Kriegsmarine in August 1940. Measuring 251 metres long, with a beam of 36 metres, Bismarck had a full displacement of 53,000 tons, and a top speed of around 29-30 knots. The main armament consisted of 8 380 mm (15 inch) guns in four twin turrets, and the secondary armament included 12 150 mm guns and 16 105 mm guns.
At the time of launching, Bismarck was the largest German ship and the largest European battleship, possessing good armour, and with excellent fire control, was a formidable opponent. After training up in the Baltic Sea from September 1940, Bismarck set out on its first and only combat sortie on May 19, 1941, being essentially commerce raiding in the north Atlantic. Accompanied by the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen, she was subsequently located by assets of the Royal Navy in the Denmark Straits between Greenland and Iceland, resulting in an engagement with HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales, culminating in the destruction of the Hood on Empire Day, 24th May. The Prince of Wales had to withdraw having sustained some damage, whereas both German units were able to continue, though a 14″ shell from the Prince of Wales had caused an oil tank to rupture on Bismarck’s bow, resulting in a reduction of speed. It was then decided for Bismarck to divert to Brest in occupied France, leaving the Prinz Eugen to continue as planned. After this battle, significant Royal Navy forces were devoted to hunting the Bismarck, leading to an attack of swordfish aircraft from HMS Ark Royal which damaged Bismarck’s steering, allowing heavy Royal Navy assets to catch up. On May 27, 1941, HMS Rodney and King George V reduced the Bismarck to a burning hulk, and despite HMS Devonshire attempting to finally sink the Bismarck, it is a likely hypothesis that the Bismarck was scuttled by its crew.
