Chevy Gneisenau

This is the Tamiya 1/700 German battlecruiser Gneisenau. The kit is a waterline 1975 vintage model. The Gneisenau and her sister the Scharnhorst were the bad guys in the early part of the war. They were big, bad beautiful and fast. A modern day metaphor for these two would be to picture a couple of hitmen with sunglasses, trenchcoats and a fast getaway car. They created havoc, sinking the British aircraft carrier HMS Glorious amongst other things. Sorry for the misleading title, I'm just an attention seeker.

Man you build these little guys quickly Chris.

Back in WWII, these were the Darth Vaders of the Atlantic.

Title sure grabbed my attention!!   

I am not very familiar with this genre of modeling so I have to ask questions. Why the yellow gun turrets? What is a waterline kit?

Zbuckster wrote:I am not very familiar with this genre of modeling so I have to ask questions. Why the yellow gun turrets? What is a waterline kit?

In the late 1960s, 4 Japanese model companies - Tamiya, Hasegawa, Fujimi and Aoshima banded together and began making model warship kits in 1/700 scale. What made these kits different was that the lower part of the hull (the part that is underwater) was replaced by a flat plate at the waterline. The ship could be displayed as if it was in water.

The Gneisenau had the top part of its turrets painted yellow in the early part of the invasion of Norway. I think it was to let German aircraft know that this was not the one to bomb.

Thanks Chris.

Looking good Chris   

That ain't no stinking Chevy   

Just like invasion stripes on allied aircraft then Chris!

'C' turret still survives in Norway.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?87940-German-WWII-coastal-battery-Austr%E5tt-fort-Norway

Somewhat under gunned with an 11" main battery. For some of the actions Gneisenau was involved in see this link. http://www.battlecruisers.org/battlehistory2home.htm

And you got my attention too ! I was "WTF is this"

So it's not a Chevy "Nice? AND HOW!" We all learn things and this one is another. One good thing about somewhat standard scales is that aftermarket parts for changing/improving ships are available. I wondered about all the sizes I've seen, thanx.

WOW ! interesting photos !!!
Hard for a layman to understand just how involved each gun turret was, let alone the whole procedure !!' Thanks for that link.
  

Thanks Chris for sharing that link. Those pictures were really interesting.

Here are some updated photos. While I waited for some decals to arrive I started work on Gneisenau's sister ship Scharnhorst.

Great stuff Chris.. You're becoming a building machine!!!

Trying to figure out what you mask and painted red. I will have to wait for the mask to come off.

Zbuckster wrote:Trying to figure out what you mask and painted red. I will have to wait for the mask to come off.

if i'm right there'll be a white circle in the centre of the red bit .....

Snake wrote:

Zbuckster wrote:Trying to figure out what you mask and painted red. I will have to wait for the mask to come off.

if i'm right there'll be a white circle in the centre of the red bit .....

And a swastica inside that?

Could have been a Morris Oxford ship Chris.........LOL

arni wrote:Could have been a Morris Oxford ship Chris.........LOL