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Our outstanding quality
scale models of the DKM Bismarck Battleship are true Masterpieces.
The mightiest of all German Battleships built during WWII. |
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Named after the first chancellor
of the German Empire, Count Otto von Bismark was also known as
the "Iron Chancellor".
Born 1815 in Prussia Bismarck
ruled Germany for 30 years, longer than anyone else. He managed
to unify the country while maintaining the peace in Europe for
a generation. In 1898 he died at age 83.
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Built by Blohm & Voss
Shipyard in Hamburg, DKM Bismarck was launched in February
of 1939. Her final length of 792' and in particular her beam
of 118' gave her a high degree of stability at sea with a superb
capability to absorb damage. |
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Bismark's hull was uniquely subdivided into 22 watertight
compartments, 17 of which were within the citadel. This meant
that 70% of the waterline was protected by heavy armour. More
than 90% of her hull was electrically welded and she was comprised
of 17 decks. Carrying a crew of 2,065 and 4 Arado Ar 196 aircraft. |
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Less than one year after
her official commissioning in August of 1940, at the height of
the World War Two European theater, Bismarck entered the
war firing and disabling the HMS Norfolk on the 23rd of
May.
The following day HMS
Hood and HMS Prince of Wales opened fire on Bismarck
who takes three direct hits. Bismarck returns fire, blowing
up and sinking the Hood in less than five minutes.
The Prince of Wales takes four hits, begins to lose oil
and slowly retreats.
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Later that day, Bismarck
was attacked by 8 Swordfish aircraft and hit by one 18"
torpedo but the damage was insignificant. |
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On the 26th Bismarck
takes 2 or 3 torpedo hits from an attack of 15 Swordfish
from the carrier HMS Ark Royal. The result was that both
rudders were jammed.
The Polish destroyer ORP
Piorun opens fire as Admiral Lutjens reports to command that
the ship is weaponry-wise and mechanically fully intact but cannot
be steered.
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The British Battleships
HMS King George V and HMS Rodney as well as the
cruisers HMS Norfolk and HMS Dorsetshire all headed
at top speed for Bismarck on the morning of May 27, 1941. |
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Bismarck fired many shots but wasn't connecting.
Rodney and King George V penetrated with four salvo
hits resulting in erratic firing back from the Bismarck.
In less than one hour Bismarck's guns were silenced. |
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All ships kept firing
as she showed no signs of sinking. Less than one half hour later,
Bismarck detonated the explosive demolition charges and
opened all the water ventils.
The mighty ship capsized
and sank with her colors still flying.
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British ships fired over
2,800 shells and Bismarck received at least 400 of them.
They fired over 77 torpedoes and 12 or more connected. More than
2,000 brave sailors including Admiral Lutjens died aboard.
Only 115 were rescued and
survived, the remainder left to the mercy of the sea.
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The experience and artistic
expertise shown on Raven Models give a depth of realism that
is unparalleled. Many adjustments are made to capture a more
realistic model by interpreting light and shadow with paint.
The result is a much more interesting model to view from both
a distance and up close under magnification. |
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We build
each model by hand in the USA using only professional
grade materials, we ship worldwide. |
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Each model is enhanced
with many embellishments including airbrushing, fine detail painting
and intricate etched brass work
We offer lots of larger
images of our models as there's a tremendous amount of fine detail
work we want you to see up close.
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The airbrushed camouflage
paint on this hull is an accurate representation of the original.
She was painted this way to make her more difficult to be seen
by both enemy ships and aircraft. Notice all the intricate detail
painting work on the deck, machinery and hardware. |
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Our decks
are painted to look like teak with numerous colors to represent
shadows and the natural tonal differences in wood.
Our micro
soldering work is exceptional as shown on the rigging detail.
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Loaded with brass enhancements
to create that incredible look and depth of realism. Ladders,
railings, rigging lines, windows, doors, stairs, radar dishes,
stern crane and much more have all been enhanced with greatly
detailed brass work. The intricacy involved in this type of detail
work is immense. |
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Mounted on a custom base,
this particular one is made of Walnut. We use a variety of different
woods for our bases which are sealed and finished in numerous
coats of natural hand rubbed fine oils. Includes engraved brass
nameplate and clear acrylic dust cover. |
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