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I just got an invitation through the mails:
"Your presence requested this evening,
It's formal, a top hat, a white tie and tails."
Nothing now could take the wind out of my sails.
Because I'm invited to step out this evening
With top hat and white tie and tails.
I'm putting on my top hat, Tying up my white tie, Brushing off my tails.
I'm duding up my shirtfront, Putting in the shirt studs, Polishing my
nails,
I'm stepping out, my dear,
To breathe an atmosphere
That simply reeks with class;
And I trust that you'll excuse my dust
When I step on the gas,
For I'll be there,
Putting down my top hat, Mussing up my white tie, Dancing in my
tails. |
In the 1930s Fred Astaire was the Hollywood male epitome of grace and
elegance. In movies he would be dressed in his tuxedo and singing Top Hat,
White Tie and Tails or Putting on the Ritz, both written
by Irving Berlin. It was pure escapism for most theater patrons and that time of
the Great Depression, as such finery was well beyond their means. However, for
the upper class to dress to perfection was expected, if they intended to drop in
to a club of the highest stature. Every major city of the world had a street
upon which the most fashionable clubs were found. In New York City it might be
Park Avenue, in Paris the Champs d’Elysées or in Berlin Unter der Linden.
Another phrase signifying an individual dressed to perfection is, Dressed
to the Nines. Its origin is rather murky and first appeared in print in
1793 in the poetry of Robert Burns. One theory as to its origin states that as
the highest single digit number and as such equates to the highest level of
perfection. There were shops that catered to the highest rung of society in the
production of the requisite finery. In London they may be found on Saville Row,
where the most exclusive clothiers for the English nobility or landed gentry
could be found. In the present day world of scale warship finery, the Saville
Row equivalent is Preening Peter Hall, gentlemen’s clothier of scale
warships. Whatever your model, if it is a warship, odds are that Preening
Peter has the metal finery that will Dress it to the Nines. One of the most
elegant examples of his craft is brass photo-etch set for the 1:350 scale Bismarck.
Unlike movie patrons of the 1930s, who could not afford to emulate the
glittering grace of Mr. Astaire, modeler’s of today do have access to finest
accoutrements in scale finery.
It is all over cyber space! Trumpeter is releasing a 1:350 scale HMS
Hood. As modelers eagerly wait for this release, Mad Pete
is busily preparing Top Hat, White Tie and Tails for that symbol of the might of
the Royal Navy. Well, what about the other bookend, the 1:350 scale Tamiya
Bismarck. In an ironic reversal of
history, your Tamiya Bismarck
might be 20 years older than a new Trumpeter Hood
but there certainly is no reason to hide your head in shame, for the gentlemen’s
warship clothier has already prepared finery of the utmost elegance for the Bismarck.
White Ensign Models 1:350 scale Bismarck
brass photo-etch set WEM 3529, is a new standard in magnificent detail.
Two large frets come with set and each one is crammed with detailed
relief-etched parts to outfit your Bismarck
as if it was just through trials in the Baltic and fresh for a sortie into the
Atlantic.
Fret A
This is the larger of the two frets in the set. This fret, measuring 11-inches
by 7-inches contains all of the more delicate fittings. It is composed of brass
parts of a finer gauge than the heavier superstructure parts found on Fret B.
Almost all of the parts are applicable to both ships of the class but there are
some parts that are for Tirpitz
alone. Some of the most impressive parts are the large ventilation louvers.
These louvers are open between their individual slats and the slats can be
turned to replicate their slanting angle on the ship. These parts alone will
make a tremendous difference on the Tamiya kits. Since there are 22 of
these louvers on the ship, they will be very noticeable. There is an extensive
selection of radars on this fret. Of course the Bismarck
has hers/his presented with a FuMo 21 but the variety comes into play with Tirpitz.
WEM includes all of the different types of radar fitted to that Queen
of the North in her long term of service, at least as compared to Bismarck’s
term of service. Radar arrays for Tirpitz
include: FuMb 4 Sumatra Antennas, FuMb 7 Antenna, FuMo 26 Antenna late fit, FuMo
27 Antenna, and FuMo 213 Antenna late fit. Other Tirpitz
only parts include additional AA fittings and the Forward Superstructure Gun
Tubs & Forward Gun Tub Splinter Shields. Bismarck
also has a couple of items unique to her with the Aft Hangar Aft Vents and Bismarck
style Aircraft Handling Crane (Fret B).
There are also a wide variety of platforms and associated gear found in Frets
A and B, which will add great variety to the model. These include: Barbette Vent
Platforms, Aft Searchlight Platform Decking, Searchlight Platform Supports, Fore
Top Searchlight Platform, Funnel Searchlight Platforms, Maneuvering Platforms
& Supports, Admiral’s Flying Bridge Extension Platforms, Admiral’s
Bridge Roof Side Platforms, Admiral’s Bridge Roof Front Platform,
Kartoffelraum Deck Railings & Platforms and more. The Arado 196 floatplanes
get a substantial dash of detail with pontoon supports, propellers, rear seat
machine guns and more. There are a huge quantity of relief-etched doors, hatches
and portholes of every description and purpose. Normally these are rather humble
items but WEM makes them drop-dead knockouts. There are innumerable
individual portholes, each of which has an eyebrow and open hinged cover in
different styles, swinging to the side or to the bottom. These alone provide
unparalleled detail but there is so much more. There are double doors in
different styles, single doors in different styles, single doors with open
portholes, rectangular windows with frame and relief-etched cover swung to an
open position to the side or bottom. The turrets both main and secondary are not
forgotten. Main gun turrets have face windows and the secondary turrets get face
windows and sight arm windows. There is extra detail for the 105mm heavy AA
mounts. Ultra thin solid bulkheads are provided for some positions and handrails
provided for other solid bulkheads. Cable/hose reels come in three different
styles and sizes. There are lens fittings for open searchlights. Masts are fully
adorned with various yardarms and fittings.
Ladders are in abundance with inclined ladders in short and long lengths,
each of which has perforated side runners and individual foot treads to be bent
parallel to the deck. Three long runs of vertical ladder give you all you need
in that department. About 40-45% of Fret A is in the form of railing and
handrails. Each length runs 10 ½ -inches a provides all the railing you will
need and more. There are eight runs of three-bar rail, four runs of three-bar
rail with angle stanchions, two runs of two-bar rail with wide spaced
stanchions, one run of two-bar rail with narrow spaced stanchions, two runs of
half-height railing for low solid shielding and six runs of hand rails in two
different styles.
Fret B
This fret measures 10 7/8-inches by 4 7/8-inches and is made from thicker gauge
brass than Fret A. This is because it contains the heavier superstructure
features and fittings. The stars of this fret are items for the hangars and
catapult. The hangar ends with relief-etched frames and paneling and open doors
are fantastic. Just as you get through marveling at the detail for the hangars
you are struck dumb by the detail of the catapult. Relief-etched? Of course! It
is a large, prominent and most importantly, beautifully done assembly of
multiple brass parts. The girders with their open voids, top cover plating,
wheels & pulleys will transform the Tamiya catapult as fully as Henry
Higgins transformed Eliza Doolittle for the Embassy Ball. WEM provides a
six-piece funnel grate for the stack of the Bismarck.
Of course the aircraft handling cranes are present on this fret. Each of the
German twins has it’s own style of aircraft crane, plus there are crane jib
mechanisms. Some of the heavier platforms & platform supports, such as the
funnel platform and bridge wing platform supports are found on this fret. The
ship’s boats will receive a good measure of extra detail from the
relief-etched thwarts, cradles and swinging davit fittings. Two three-piece
accommodation ladders are included for those modelers who wish to add them to
the ship. The German navy had it’s own version of the Carley float. This
square piece of life-saving equipment was smaller than a Carley but had a unique
design. Called the Marx float, WEM includes 21 of these items on Fret B.
Each float is comprised of two pieces, the bottom piece with open grid deck and
a top level of the flotation collar. Twenty-two circular life rings,
relief-etched, are also included, as well as two long runs of anchor chain.
Verdict
Through application of the finery of White Ensign Models Bismarck Brass
Photo-Etched Set in 1:350 Scale WEM 3529, you can hold your head high in any
soiree at the most fashionable cabaret on Unter der Linden with your 1:350 scale
Bismarck. Dressed to the nines with
the White Ensign Models equivalent to Top Hat, White Tie & Tails with
this brass photo-etch set, your Beau Brummell Bismarck
is sure to make a splash among the posh. HMS Hood
will be a mere flash in the pan, next to the Bismarck
so attired. Peacock Pete has crafted a set "That simply reeks
with class." Even the Iron Chancellor himself, Prinz Otto von Bismarck,
could not of wished for better attire for a scale replica of his name sake.
Have you seen the
well-to-do up and down Park Avenue?
On that famous thoroughfare with their noses in the air,
High hats and Arrow collars, white spats and lots of dollars.
Spending every dime for a wonderful time.
If you're blue and you don't know where to go to.
Why don't you go where fashion sits?
Putting on the Ritz.
Different types who wear a day coat, pants with
stripes,
And cutaway coat, perfect fits,
Putting on the Ritz.
Come let's mix where Rockefellers walk with sticks,
Or umbrellas in their mitts,
Putting on the Ritz.
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