German battleship BISMARCK COBI 4860 - World War II 1:300

BISMARCK MODEL | COBI 4860

The legend returns in a new, more detailed 2026 version. The assembled model features rotating gun turrets with adjustable barrel elevation. The deck is made of parts with a wood texture, where lifeboats and a reconnaissance Arado aircraft with a catapult are also mounted. The rear section of the deck can be easily removed to view the engine room with three Bohn + Voss turbines. The model can be safely displayed on a new, sturdy stand with a description. 

Did you know:

The ship is named after the Prussian minister and later German chancellor Otto Eduard Leopold von Bismarck-Schönhausen. Construction of the ship began on July 1, 1936, and Adolf Hitler also attended the ceremonial launch. People are simply incorrigible, and even this ship was declared unsinkable by its manufacturer, Blohm & Voss. As we now know, this was not true.

Work on the Bismarck lasted just under three years and cost over 200 million Reichsmarks, which is approximately €820,000,000 in today’s value. Germany falsified the actual displacement of 50,900 tons by listing only 35,000 tons in official documentation to avoid violating the Anglo-German Naval Agreement. The vessel was equipped with eight 380 mm guns capable of firing a 750 kg projectile over a distance of 36 kilometers. Some parts of the ship were armored with chrome-nickel steel Wotan up to 360 mm thick.

The large and heavily armed battleship commanded respect. Upon its launch on February 14, 1939, it became a symbol of German power. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill fully understood its propaganda value in the German war effort and insisted on its destruction at all costs. This success was meant to convince the Allies that Germany could be defeated.

Bismarck was ultimately destroyed during its first and final combat mission, codenamed Rheinübung, in the Battle of the Denmark Strait. It faced the British cruiser HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales against Prinz Eugen and Bismarck. After a naval bombardment of unprecedented scale, Bismarck was heavily damaged and set course for occupied France for repairs. During the journey, it was attacked by fifteen outdated Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers. The first successful hit was made by British pilot Jock Moffat. Further damage was inflicted during engagements with HMS Rodney and HMS King George V. After its rudder was hit, Bismarck became uncontrollable. Finally, on May 27, 1941, at 10:45, the captain ordered the crew to abandon ship and scuttle it to prevent capture by the British.

In 1989, R. Ballard discovered the wreck of the Bismarck at a depth of 4,800 meters. Photographs show a nearly intact hull, suggesting the ship likely sank only after the seacocks were opened. Despite its short service, the vessel left a deep cultural impact. In 1960, the film Sink the Bismarck! was released. The same year saw a song of the same name by Johnny Horton, later covered by the Czech band Plavci. Perhaps the most famous is the song Bismarck by the Swedish band Sabaton.

Technical specifications:

• dimensions: length 241.55 m, width 36 m, draft 9.3 m
• displacement 41,700 t, maximum 50,900 t
• armor: chrome-nickel steel Wotan – sides 145–320 mm, deck 110–120 mm, conning tower up to 360 mm
• propulsion: 12 Wagner boilers supplying 3 Blohm & Voss turbines with output of 150,170 hp
• power transmission to 3 propellers with a diameter of 4.7 m
• fuel: fuel oil
• fuel consumption: 45 tons per hour at maximum speed
• maximum speed 56 km/h
• maximum range 16,430 km
• crew 2,220 men
• armament: 8x heavy guns L47 SK C/34 (38 cm) + 12x guns L55 SK-C/28 (150 mm) + 16x guns (105 mm) + 16x 37 mm cannons and 20x 20 mm anti-aircraft cannons
• aircraft: 4x Arado Ar 196

From the memories of Jock Moffat:

“It was a battle of David versus Goliath. The great advantage of the Swordfish was that shells simply passed right through it – it was made of canvas after all. We flew into a deadly storm of shells and bullets. Bismarck’s guns were exploding and in the hail of hot projectiles and tracers I couldn’t see any other Swordfish. I thought the closer we stayed to the surface, the better our chances of survival, so we flew so low we were almost skimming the wave tops. My observer Dusty Miller kept saying: not yet, not yet. And then finally he said release it. I pressed the trigger on the throttle and the torpedo dropped into the sea. He was the one who shouted: we got a hit, Jock!”

About the set :

• COBI building set 4860 battleship Bismarck is made of 3204 high-quality ABS pieces
• scale 1:300 
• number of figures 
  
• collection World War II
• Pad Printed - no stickers
• accurate detailing
• made in the EU
• compatible with other building block brands