Tamiya 77518 - 1:700 German Battlecruiser Scharnhorst

Plastic model kit of the German battlecruiser Scharnhorst in 1:700 scale

Scharnhorst was a fast, well-armoured ship whose nine 283 mm guns and speed of over 31 knots made her a dangerous opponent in the Atlantic. Tamiya 77518 reproduces her in 1:700 scale as a waterline model, showing the hull as it appears above the surface of the sea.

The kit depicts Scharnhorst in her February 1942 configuration, at the time of the Channel Dash. The characteristic features of that period are reproduced: the so-called Atlantic bow with its pronounced flare and the clipped funnel cap. The model comes from a 1975 mould and belongs to the classic Tamiya 1/700 Water Line Series.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, superstructure, main turrets and deck fittings
• Arado Ar 196 floatplane
• 2 ship's boats
• Waterline display base plate
• Metal ballast weight
• Marking sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:700
• Item number: 77518
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Assembled length: approx. 336 mm
• Model type: waterline (no lower hull)
• Skill level: beginner

Please note: the kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model requires assembly.

Building the model:

Assembly follows the classic Water Line pattern: the hull is joined to the base plate and the metal ballast weight fitted inside keeps the finished model stable. The parts are small, so precision tweezers and a sharp blade are useful, and fine details — anti-aircraft mounts, masts, boats and the Arado Ar 196 floatplane — are easiest to paint before being cut from the sprue.

For a Kriegsmarine finish, naval greys in two shades are recommended (for example Tamiya XF-54 Dark Sea Grey and XF-66 Light Grey), with a darker tone on the decks. A gently applied wash will bring out the plating lines and superstructure details. Modellers looking for a higher level of detail may consider photo-etched sets and turned metal barrels for 1:700 warships, available separately.

Tools you will need:

• Sprue cutters
• Modelling knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers for small parts
• Brushes in a range of sizes
• Modelling paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to emphasise details

About the ship – Scharnhorst:

Scharnhorst entered service in the second half of the 1930s as the first of a pair of fast capital ships of the Kriegsmarine. Her nine 283 mm guns in three triple turrets were smaller in calibre than battleship artillery, but combined with a speed of over 31 knots and solid armour they gave the ship a genuine capability against Atlantic convoy routes.

In February 1942 Scharnhorst took part in the daring Channel Dash, passing from Brest to German ports together with Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen. The ship was later sent to Norwegian waters, from where she was to threaten Allied convoys sailing to the Soviet Union.

On 26 December 1943, while attempting to attack one such convoy, Scharnhorst was intercepted by a British force including the battleship HMS Duke of York. She was sunk in the Battle of the North Cape; of a crew of nearly two thousand men, only a few dozen survived.

Specifications of the original (Scharnhorst):

• Standard displacement: approx. 32,100 t
• Full load displacement: approx. 38,100 t
• Length: 234.9 m
• Beam: 30 m
• Main armament: 9 × 283 mm guns in three triple turrets
• Secondary armament: 12 × 150 mm guns
• Anti-aircraft armament: 14 × 105 mm guns, 16 × 37 mm mounts and 20 mm guns
• Torpedo armament: 6 × 533 mm torpedo tubes
• Propulsion: Wagner boilers and steam turbines, approx. 165,000 hp
• Maximum speed: 31.5 knots
• Crew: approx. 1,670–1,970

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 in Shizuoka, a city regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. It began as a timber business producing wooden models and released its first injection-moulded plastic kit in 1960. The brand built its reputation on precise tooling, excellent parts fit and clear instructions, which is why its kits are popular with beginners and experienced modellers alike. The 1/700 Water Line Series, to which the Scharnhorst kit belongs, was launched in 1971 as a joint venture of several Japanese manufacturers and remains one of the most recognisable warship ranges in this scale. The common scale and waterline format allow models from the series to be displayed together in collections and sea scenes. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of paints, glues, tools and modelling accessories. The company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the most recognisable brands in the hobby.