shipgeezer

Does anyone know where Agora got the fiber optic cable that is used in the bow and the stern lights? I need to replace my bow light, but I cannot find fiber optic cable like they are using that is like rubber band. I can get normal stiff fiber optic cable, but that cannot be tied into a knot...any ideas?? Thanks

Terry, I just looked it up and according to Agora the internal dimensions inside the acrylic case are 55 inches long, 13 3/4 inches wide, and 17 inches tall. I assume that with the base it makes the actual height of the model probably around 16 inches with one inch clearance above the mainmast...Hope this helps. I am waiting for Pack 12 and will make measurements myself as soon as the pack arrives, and I assemble the base. I plan on assembling the base before anything else, so that the Bismarck has clearance for the props and rudder when I do all the electronics testing...Hope this helps.

Thanks Tom, I am still deciding because I believe I can make my own dust cover and it would be cheaper to buy the acrylic and glue it myself. Probably about half the price or maybe a bit less. I happen to have a plastic manufacturer down the street from my house.

What is the price of the display case in US Dollars? Also does anyone know when it will be available, and can it be purchased separately without a subscription to the Bismarck?? I am currently waiting on Pack 12, and hope the download file will be available very soon...Thanks

Is anyone else in here already on Stage 11 where you get the stern section, and the hull is completed?? The connectors don't seem to accept the screws because they are not made correctly to align with the vertical screws...Has anyone else had the same problem?? Have had no problems with any hull sections aligning correctly until this stern section. Might be an advisory for the factory. The connectors need to be shaved a bit to fit the sides of the stern section. Or else, a fix for me was to leave out the vertical screws and just use superglue where the vertical screws would be. If you put in the vertical screws, it pushes the stern section out away from hull. Just a heads up for all... Pics Below....Thanks

Has anyone else had a problem with the main guns not elevating?? I had main gun A stop working and found it had a bad elevation motor. Agora sent replacement and it works fine. When I tested second turret, it also does not elevate as expected. Anyone have any ideas?? I checked the motors and they all work fine. Will be testing the 3rd turret which I believe is caesar. Pack 11 is due to arrive in mail today, so the circuit board to test should be here. Any ideas from anyone??

Same here, been waiting since December 12th and its now January 9th and Royal Mail still says Expecting it. US mail also has NO updates...IN addition I looked at my accaount and it shows odere number _____ still processing. Who is casuing the hold up, is it Agora or is it the Royal Mail. My order within Agora should not be saying still processing. It should say completed and sent. Whats happening???

Has anyone else noticed that in stage 92, specifically part number 92-10 the guides for the main wire there are only 5 total, and we need at least six?? I fastened the main wire down and just had to skip one area that has no clip. Is it just me??

Any decent superglue will work, but having said that, my suggestion is Gorilla Superglue GEL. Regular superglue works but because it is thin and runny, you have to be super careful when applying.

Trying to build Bismarck as historically accurate as possible, and modeling January 1941 to the sinking in May. Did the Bismarck have blast bags on its 4 main guns during this period? Let me know...Thanks

Any idea when Pack 8 instruction will be available for download, and when it will ship? I wonder why ALL packs build instructions are not available. Wasn't the Agora version of the Bismarck just a rehash of the Hachette model? If all the instructions for all packs are available, why not make them available on Agora site?? Just wondering. Thanks

I am curious about what's happening with shipments. My original membership was scheduled on the 26th of each month and I had been receiving my packs of parts usually within the first week of each month. However, that being said, it is now September 20th, and I have received no notice of Pack 7 being shipped or any tracking number at all. Wondering what is happening, because now that it's already the 20th of the month, I will be billed for Pack 8 in about 6 days when Pack 7 isn't here as yet. Are there significant delays in manufacturing the parts for the various packs?

I was informed that pack 7 was to be shipped this week. Received that message from customer service on the 12th of September. It is now Saturday the 18th and still no shipping info for Pack 7. Has anyone gotten a notice that it's being shipped?

Fabrice, just one thing I could suggest. Make sure you are using the circuit board that came in Pack 1 to test the motor. The circuit board from pack 6 is only for LED's. might help...

Just curious whether Agora customer service will send replacement motors. I tested my first gun turret and it worked fine. It rotated, fired, and also raised up and down. Suddenly the other day, I plugged it in and tested, it rotates and fires but will not raise and lower. I discovered by plugging in the elevation motor to the circuit board that it's not a working motor now. Do they send replacement motors? This would be forward gun elevation motor which is listed in directions in pack 2 as 16-01. Anyone know, or customer service can answer. Thanks

Additional info although it is brought up in here. Everyone assumes that because you get a new circuit board in pack 6, that's the board to test everything. HINT: it's not!! That circuit board is simply used to test all the leds like searchlights, admiral bridge lights etc. Use the ORIGINAL board you received in Pack 1 when testing radar motors!! I read this and was still confused when my radar motors didn't work, and then I realized I was using the wrong circuit board. Hope this helps!!

I believe I found a solution, but I need Agora to send me one or two PWB 2.3 by 5 mm screws. Folks: I believe there is an error in the instructions as far as putting on the Admirals bridge. The superstructure is already assembled when it is time to install the admirals bridge and the main mast deck. The admirals bridge has two pegs as shown here for 2.3 by 5mm PWB screws and it needs to be attached BEFORE assembling the superstructure. If anyone else sees this as a problem, and runs into it, here is the solution. Hope this helps!! Agora send me a couple PWB 2.3 by 5 mm screws. Thanks

I just noticed something on my build, and maybe others are wondering the same thing. As I was assembling the superstructure, I notice there are pegs for screws to be installed on the upper mast deck, However, that being said, I cannot install the upper mast deck and bridge because there is no way to reach the screws for the upper mast deck to screw it in. Is anyone else just as confused?? Here are the pictures as I see it.

I notice that several folks have had problems with the radar not spinning as it should. Just an FYI for all that have not reached pack 5 and stage 47 as yet. The directions indicate using a bit of superglue to attach the last part of the superstructure which is the foretop gallery with the radar unit. CAUTION: DO not ASSEMBLE THE FORETOP GALLERY WITH GLUE, UNTIL YOU TEST THAT THE RADAR SPINS. Not sure when you will test as I haven't reached that section, however, if you glue the foretop gallery, and the radar does NOT spin, you will not be able to undo it, in order to get at the motor mounting screws to loosen them.

ADVISE to ALL!! When dealing with the motors for the radar units, please loosen the motor mount screws as Terry said, and you should have no problems with the radar units turning. Apparently the motors can bind if the mounting screws are tightened too tight. Loosen a bit and as you test, see if they spin. Thanks!!

Since you are far ahead, just a silly question. When do you finally have the entire hull? What pack would that be? Anyone know?

Ok thanks for the answers. I will weather as I go, and I did notice that adding glass to portholes is easier as I get each deck section. Thanks

Do you feel that you should weather the Bismarck AS you build it, or after?? I see that some folks start with weathering right away. I am curious about customhobbydecals and if it is worth buying the swastika deck decals. In addition, I plan on using Micro Kristal clear to add glass portholes, but should I do each section as I build or after? Pics are in this email. Thanks

Does anyone on here have pics of the display case, or dimensions as I could make my own with plexiglass or acrylic?? Thanks for any help.

Just beginning but here are pics where the shipgeezer works on Bismarck. Only completed stages 1 through 8 so far. Built this workbench organizer myself with 1/4 inch plywood. Nothing but glue holds it together, but this is where I work on models and also HO trains. Hope you like!!