Hi all,
something a little different today.
About two weeks ago my grandpa passed away, aged 93. His death came quite sudden and unexpected, for despite his old age, he enjoyed fairly good health until the very end. His burial was last Wednesday, and we're now in the process of sorting though the remains of a long, fulfilled life.
Among his many heirlooms is this model of a Bismarck-class battleship, which he made as a schoolboy during the war. He showed it to me once and explained the details to me when I was about 10 years old. Regrettably I don't remember if it is the Bismarck or the Tirpitz, but I tend towards the latter. It's made mostly from wood, with a few parts from wire, carboard and tin. It's an impressive model, considering the circumstances and his age at the time. The total lenght is 80 cm, which puts the scale at about 1/310.
Some parts went missing over the years. The main mast with the rigging is still around, but broken off and a tangled mess I yet need to unravel. I'm yet undecided what to do with it - I might attempt to recreate the missing parts, but leave them in a state that makes it obvious they are replacements. It's a historical artifact after all.
1/35 figure for scale:
Thanks for looking!
Philipp
My Grandpa's Battleship
- Philipp Gross
- Site Admin/Founder
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: 19 Jul 2014, 23:40
- Location: Frankfurt
- Contact:
My Grandpa's Battleship
Completed Campaigns:
- Steve Hutchinson
- Senior Site Contributor.....
- Posts: 2263
- Joined: 20 Jul 2014, 08:27
- Location: Bradford West Yorkshire, UK
Re: My Grandpa's Battleship
Sorry for your loss Philipp,
90's is a long life and as you said a healthy one too.
Our condolences to you and your family.
The model for its time is quite something and would benefit from a sympathetic repair if any.
A good case to protect it for future display too.
Hopefully there are may more items to raise a smile and a kind thought of your dear departed Grandad
Regards
Steve H
90's is a long life and as you said a healthy one too.
Our condolences to you and your family.
The model for its time is quite something and would benefit from a sympathetic repair if any.
A good case to protect it for future display too.
Hopefully there are may more items to raise a smile and a kind thought of your dear departed Grandad
Regards
Steve H
""I need to be creative, to feel ALIVE!""
Completed Campaigns:
Completed Campaigns:
- Vincent Power
- Senior Site Contributor.....
- Posts: 2641
- Joined: 31 Jul 2014, 23:49
- Location: Melbourne Australia
Re: My Grandpa's Battleship
My condolences for your loss Philipp.
Your grandpa was quite the craftsman and that's a very impressive build. Good to know you will repair it.
Vincent
Your grandpa was quite the craftsman and that's a very impressive build. Good to know you will repair it.
Vincent
Completed Campaigns:
-
- Senior Site Contributor.....
- Posts: 1791
- Joined: 22 Apr 2016, 05:41
- Location: Auckland, NZ
Re: My Grandpa's Battleship
Sorry for the loss Philipp, 93 is a pretty good inings.
The ship is an impressive build, particularly as it was all “scratch”.
The ship is an impressive build, particularly as it was all “scratch”.
I'm a serial kit starter....
Completed Campaigns:
Completed Campaigns:
- Philipp Gross
- Site Admin/Founder
- Posts: 5122
- Joined: 19 Jul 2014, 23:40
- Location: Frankfurt
- Contact:
Re: My Grandpa's Battleship
Thank you everyone for your kind words!
I'm considering making casts from the still existing parts to replace what is lost. That would also make them suitably different from the originals. Not yet sure what to do regarding display, this boat is too large for my tank-sized display cabinets
Philipp
I'm considering making casts from the still existing parts to replace what is lost. That would also make them suitably different from the originals. Not yet sure what to do regarding display, this boat is too large for my tank-sized display cabinets
Philipp
Completed Campaigns: