1. The history of the model.
When it comes to the rank I cruiser “Varangian” of the Russian Imperial Navy, a ceremonial song about this legendary ship immediately pops up in my mind ... Our proud "Varangian" does not surrender to the enemy. A lot has been written about this fight, a lot has been read. But, that first story of my mother, remained in my memory forever. And having heard somewhere a song about "Varyag" I stop and listen while it is being performed.
When I was a kid, of course not, but getting older, as I recall, I always wanted to do model of this ship. The ship model club of the Marine Club in the city of Chelyabinsk became the place where I managed to realize my dream.
With great difficulty, the head of the circle, found somewhere drawings for me - a Polish magazine
"Modelarz", for 1964. There was almost no detail on the drawings, so to speak a general idea.
I decided to make the model’s case out of a piece of wood, I barely found a suitable, old-fashioned way - chiselling. Drawn under deck boards, a piece of aviation plywood became the deck on the model. Under the settings with the pipes there is a hatch for access to engines, batteries and stern pipes. Model cruiser wanted to make a chassis.
Work on the model was drawing to a close. I just had to finish a lot, there was also a painting of the model. Actually, I was in no hurry. In the city competitions that were on the way, I participated with another model. But, it was necessary to help out the team, I don’t remember why, but we didn’t have a bench model. I had to give all my best. Since everyone was preparing their models for the competition, at the moment there was practically nothing left in the circle, from colors, except for ball and black colors. Well, my add-ons were already painted white. And so it was the battle coloring of the cruiser. Of course, I wanted to repaint everything later, but it didn’t work out.
At that time, the model looked like this.
Later he made her a showcase, this is two years later. A simple one - from aluminum corners and organic glass.
47 years have passed. The model during this time, of course, became dusty, the details flew off, the rigging sagged. And it dawned on me that if nothing was done with the model further, I would simply lose it.
At the time the repair began, the model looked like this.
2. The beginning of the transformation.
To begin with, I decided to redo the showcase for the model.He took the sizes and ordered a showcase. Having engaged in a dense model, I assumed to put everything in its place and slightly update the model in detail. But, to my amazement, I realized that the repair could not be done like that. Since everything will be strikingly different, the old and the new. But just sticking everything in place won't work either. And then it was decided to disassemble the model and do it all over again.
Naturally began with the model body.
Next, I will focus on the main details of the model. Since it consists of 5430 parts, both purchased and home-made. Therefore, it is almost impossible to show the manufacture of all parts within the framework of this publication, although there are photos.
I will show the manufacture of the most interesting parts.
Production of anchors and anchors.
Rostra, davits, bridge.
Alteration of the longboat and rowing boat.
Add-ons and pipes.
Skylight of the engine room.
Conning tower and navigation bridge.
Navigation and assembly of the bridge.
Aft bridge.
Similar hatches and ladders.
Making deflectors.
There are 16 types of them on the model and all of different sizes. I will dwell on some. For large we make master models.
Then molds were made and the required quantity was cast.
Next came the machining.
Further, galvanic copper coating, primer and painting.
Production of steam boats and machine guns for them.
Production of ceremonial gangways.
Making other interesting details.
Etc...
It took 2 years and 3 months to build the model.
3. Well, now the White Swan of the Russian Imperial Navy.
The showcase for the model is made of a picture baguette, furniture legs, the base of the showcase is made of chipboard, the showcase itself is made of silicate glass to order at the ZOO store.
That's it.
See, criticize, advise, ask.
Regards, Starp