ccoyle

Just be aware that red alder is not rot resistant, so don't keep your model permanently immersed in water. 😉

No, but many times such things are available as after-market accessories. But, just as with plastic models, the cost of accessories can really add up, which partly negates one of the basic appeals of card models, namely their low price relative to kits in other media.

Nope, not really. I do the really tiny folds with tweezers tips, larger fold over the edge of a metal ruler.

It is a great improvement compared to the plastic original and is an excellent match for the colors of your model.

The ladder was part of the laser-cut details set.

More pipe work and the funnel's starboard-side ladder. I had a "duh" moment when I was looking at someone else's build log recently and saw a third hand vise being used. I suddenly remembered, "Hey, I have a third hand vise, too!" And ya know, it is actually quite handy -- holds my work up higher for better illumination, allows me to position my work at any angle I desire, and gives me two hands free to work with! Wowsers!! Well, better late than never, I guess. 🙄

1:400 Waterline Battle of Tsushima Series Modelik Catalogue #s 2105 - 2108 Available from Modelik starting at €5.00 All photos courtesy of Modelik. Introduction Modelik is one of the older and well-established Polish card model publishers. They publish a wide variety of subjects including buildings, vehicles, aircraft, and of course ships. One of the first big card models I ever built was Modelik's 1/100 scale Flower-class corvette, HMCS Agassiz -- I had to punch above my card modeling weight to finish it, but it produced a very detailed and striking model. Until now, Modelik's other ship offerings have also been in either 1/100 or 1/200 scale. But now, Modelik are offering a new series of waterline warship kits in 1/400 scale that I think will appeal to both skilled and novice card modelers alike. Overview Modelik's new 1/400 line-up has so far focused on ships that participated in the Russo-Japanese War. To date, there have been four kits published in the "Battle of Tsushima" series, and more are in the works, along with other 1/400 kits featuring both sail and steam subjects that weren't participants in that conflict. Some of the first kits in the series even include more than one model, which is a nice extra. Each kit is rendered in eye-pleasing computer-drafted artwork, has a non-intimidating and modest total parts count, aims at an intermediate level of difficulty (all rated a '2' on a scale of 1-5), and exhibits a satisfying level of detail. Let's take a look at the kits that are presently in print. #2105 Russian icebreaker YERMAK 1895 and tugboat RUS 1904 The 2-for-1 offerings in this kit will produce finished models 130 mm (5.1 in.) and 76 mm (3.0 in.) long. Yermak Rus #2106 Russian pre-Dreadnought NAVARIN 1891 The finished model will be 265 mm (10.4 in.) in length. #2107 Russian armored cruiser VLADIMIR MONOMAKH 1882 This kit will produce a model 226 mm (8.9 in.) long. #2108 Russian pre-Dreadnought battleship SISSOI VELIKIY 1896 + two torpedo boats, BLESTYASHCHY ("Brilliant") and BEZUPRECHNY ("Irreproachable") The three kits in this offering produce models that are 285 mm (11.2 in.) and roughly 132 mm (5.2 in.) in length. In addition to the basic kits, Modelik is offering some nice upgrades. A kit-specific set of laser-cut details is available for each kit. These sets include fine details such as anchors, boat chocks, davits, and thwarts. Modelik also sells laser-cut railings and ladders in 1/400 scale. These are all modestly priced -- buying everything needed for Sissoi Velikiy, for example, will set you back only an additional €7.50. Modelik will also soon offer a quay set from which the modeler can build a visually engaging dockside scene in which to set the new 1/400 subjects. Conclusion I don't normally build in 1/400 scale, but the price, quality, and subject matter of these kits has me sorely tempted to undo the padlock on my wallet! I hope we may see one or more of these attractive models soon being attempted by someone from among our august membership. If you do choose to buy one, remember to tell our friends at Modelik that you saw these at Model Ship World first!

Your project is well on the way to being a very striking completed model!

Prairie and Masker featured in Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising.

It probably stacks up decently. Kit manufacturing has advanced tremendously in the past two decades, and innovation forces all manufacturers to raise their game.

Very neat work -- your model is off to a great start!

Just an observation of mine regarding the wonky photo orientation. I noticed that our photo software has a hard time with photos that are tall in relation to the subject matter in the image. I had this happen with one of my photos over the weekend. I cropped the photo so that it was more square, and then the image software oriented it correctly, no problem.

Back on the water. A bit chilly today. Caught a gargantuan unidentified shiner species and a few bluegill. EDIT: So, apparently this was a golden shiner. Supposedly the most common shiner in Eastern North America, but new to this here California ex-pat.

Pitr, the links to your photos appear to be broken.

First of the really bendy pipes.

Wow! Very handsome indeed.

Nicely done! A real bit of nostalgia for those of us who have ever ridden the Jungle Cruise.

As far as copyright goes, it is better to post a link to an outside source such as a video. If it's your own video, then I believe you can simply use the attachment toolbar at the bottom of the reply window. If you find interesting ship-related stuff online, you can post about in either the Nautical/Naval History sub-forum or the Nautical General Discussion sub-forum, whichever is more appropriate.

No clue, but the first builder got it off to a good start.

Check here to see the many topic threads we have on CAF products.

Yup. This past weekend was a tad windy, so I postponed first dunk until the weather improves a bit.

Different kit philosophies appeal to different modelers. I admire those who enjoy spiling and are good at it. I have accomplished the feat myself, but I don't particularly enjoy it. I have built a kit from Master Korabel that had pre-spiled planking, and I enjoyed that build very much. As I always say, some people just enjoy putting things together (without having to manufacture all of the parts in addition). I like to build card models; it involves not only assembling, but also cutting out and shaping hundreds, sometimes thousands, of printed parts. It's not a process that appeals to everyone. Fortunately, our hobby has plenty of room for modelers of all types.

Great work!

All fixed!

BLASPHEMER!! Just kidding, of course. Wire might indeed be easier, but in this instance there are no templates provided, so there would be a lot of guesswork about where to make all the bends. Here's the first two pipes -- the easiest ones 😳 cuz they're just straight pieces. They get pretty bendy after this. Fortunately, the paper parts are printed on regular paper, not card stock, and they are the perfect size to wrap around 0.5 mm styrene rod. Also, I'm sealing the joints with thin CA, and any paper discoloration that results is virtually impossible to notice.