Tamiya 78015 - 1:350 Tirpitz German Battleship

Plastic model kit of the German battleship Tirpitz in 1/350 scale

Tirpitz — sister ship of the Bismarck — spent almost her entire career in the Norwegian fjords and never fought a major fleet action. She nevertheless remained one of the most dangerous warships of the Second World War: the simple possibility that she might put to sea forced the Allies to keep heavy Royal Navy units on standby. Tamiya 78015 is a full hull model of this battleship in 1/350 scale, approximately 717 mm long when completed.

The kit is based on 1980 tooling, developed from the Bismarck moulds and supplemented with new parts specific to Tirpitz. It depicts the ship during her Norwegian service, with the quadruple torpedo tube mounts installed in 1942. The one-piece hull removes the trickiest stage of building a large warship model, while the removable centre deck section makes work inside the structure easier. The finished model is displayed on the included stand with a nameplate.

What's in the box:

• Plastic sprues with hull, superstructure, main turrets and armament parts
• One-piece hull and a removable centre deck section
• Arado floatplanes
• Ship's boats and cranes
• Drive gearbox (please note: the motor is NOT included — it must be purchased separately if you wish to use the gearbox)
• Marking sheet
• Display stand with nameplate
• Illustrated assembly instructions

Model specifications:

• Scale: 1/350
• Product number: 78015
• Manufacturer: Tamiya
• Model length: approx. 717 mm
• Version: full hull model on a display stand
• Skill level: beginner/intermediate (large, elaborate kit with many small details)

Note: The kit does not include glue, paints or modelling tools. The model is intended for self-assembly.

Building the model:

Despite its impressive size, the model remains accessible to less experienced builders — the one-piece hull and Tamiya's characteristic parts fit make for a relaxed build, with the small anti-aircraft weapons and deck fittings requiring the most patience. It is worth considering painting the decks and larger sub-assemblies before adding the finest details, as brush access becomes limited later on. The included gearbox opens up the option of a motorised build; the motor itself is not in the box and must be bought separately.

For the paintwork, the greys typical of Kriegsmarine warships are recommended (e.g. Tamiya XF-19 Sky Grey and XF-24 Dark Grey), a light brown for the wooden deck areas (e.g. XF-78 Wooden Deck Tan) and red for the underwater hull (e.g. XF-9 Hull Red). Exact paint codes for the chosen scheme are given in the instructions. To take the detail further, you may wish to consider aftermarket upgrade sets available separately in our shop, such as photo-etched parts or turned metal barrels.

Tools you will need:

• Modelling side cutters for removing parts from the sprues
• Hobby knife or scalpel
• Files and sanding paper for cleaning up sprue gate marks
• Plastic cement (e.g. Tamiya Extra Thin Cement)
• Precision modelling tweezers
• Brushes in various sizes
• Model paints (acrylic or enamel)
• Wash to emphasise detail and recesses
• Optional: pigments and paints for streaking and rust effects

About the ship – Tirpitz:

Tirpitz was the second Bismarck-class battleship and the largest capital ship ever built in Europe. After Bismarck was sunk in May 1941, the Kriegsmarine avoided risking its heavy units in the Atlantic, and Tirpitz was instead stationed in bases along the Norwegian fjords. There she served as a fleet in being: she did not need to fight to influence the war at sea — it was enough that she could sortie at any moment.

The most notorious consequence of that strategy was the scattering of convoy PQ-17 in July 1942, when the mere report of a possible German sortie prompted the Admiralty to order the convoy to disperse, with catastrophic losses. For years the Allies tried to eliminate the battleship, attacking her with midget submarines and aircraft, and successive raids gradually crippled the ship.

The end came on 12 November 1944, when Lancaster bombers dropped Tallboy bombs on the ship near Tromsø. Hit hard, Tirpitz capsized and sank. Tamiya 78015 recreates her in the Norwegian service configuration, with the quadruple torpedo tube mounts fitted in 1942.

Original specifications (Tirpitz):

• Standard displacement: approx. 42,900 t
• Full load displacement: approx. 52,600 t
• Length: 253.6 m
• Beam: 36 m
• Main armament: 8 x 380 mm guns in four twin turrets
• Secondary armament: 12 x 150 mm guns
• Anti-aircraft armament: 16 x 105 mm guns plus numerous 37 mm and 20 mm mounts
• Torpedo armament: 8 x 533 mm tubes (two quadruple mounts, from 1942)
• Aircraft: Arado Ar 196 floatplanes
• Maximum speed: approx. 30.8 knots
• Crew: approx. 2,600
• Sunk: 12 November 1944 near Tromsø

About the manufacturer – Tamiya:

Tamiya Corporation is a Japanese model company founded in 1946 by Yoshio Tamiya in Shizuoka, regarded as the heart of the Japanese model industry. The company began in the timber trade and wooden model production, and released its first plastic model kit in 1960. The brand is known for extremely precise injection moulds and excellent parts fit, which is why its kits are equally popular with beginners and experienced modellers. The 1/350 warship range is one of the most recognisable parts of Tamiya's line-up, combining an impressive display format with a well thought-out breakdown of parts. The instructions are clear, richly illustrated and include paint codes from the manufacturer's own range. Alongside plastic kits, Tamiya offers a full range of modelling accessories: paints, glues, tools and brushes. Today the company is present in dozens of countries and remains one of the best-known brands in the hobby.