R/C Naval Combat

Which Bismarck hull is better (accurate) BC or Strike and why.

thank you

steve

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

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