Tamiya 77520 - 1:700 Gneisenau German Battle Cruiser

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

Gneisenau and Scharnhorst formed a pair of fast capital ships of the Kriegsmarine that operated almost always together during the first years of the war. Near-identical at first glance, they in fact differed in detail — and it is precisely those differences that Tamiya 77520 reproduces: the mainmast placed aft of the funnel and the catapult by the hangar and on turret No. 3.

The model is made in 1:700 scale as a waterline kit, without the lower hull. The tooling dates from 1975 and was developed from the Scharnhorst mould, with new parts specific to Gneisenau. The kit 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
• Floatplane
• 2 ship's boats
• Waterline display base plate
• Metal ballast weight
• Marking sheet
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1:700
• Item number: 77520
• 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:

The hull is joined to the base plate and the metal ballast weight fitted inside gives the finished model weight and stability — the classic Water Line arrangement. The mainmast and catapults are the finest parts in the kit, so precision tweezers and a thin cement come in handy. The floatplane and ship's boats 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 emphasise the plating lines and superstructure details. The model looks particularly good displayed alongside Scharnhorst — the two ships form a natural pair. For a higher level of detail, photo-etched sets and turned metal barrels for 1:700 warships are 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 – Gneisenau:

Gneisenau entered service in the second half of the 1930s as the second of a pair of fast capital ships of the Kriegsmarine. Together with Scharnhorst she raided the Atlantic convoy routes, where a speed of over 31 knots, nine 283 mm guns and solid armour made the pair a serious threat to Allied shipping.

In February 1942 Gneisenau took part in the daring Channel Dash. Shortly after reaching Germany, on the night of 26/27 February 1942, the ship was severely damaged during an RAF raid on Kiel — a bomb triggered an explosion in the forward magazine that wrecked the bow section. Gneisenau was never repaired and never returned to front-line service.

In the final months of the war the ship was disarmed and, on 27 March 1945, scuttled as a blockship at the entrance to the port of Gdynia. The wreck was raised by Polish divers and salvage teams in 1951 and subsequently broken up for scrap.

Specifications of the original (Gneisenau):

• 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 Gneisenau 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.