RGL

The contents of the box; lots of resin, 2 sheets of photoetch, a false brass deck, a wooden deck, the hull, lots of little brass rods, and instructions. Also is the Eduard frets. As I progress I will compare the pair, but I have already noted that the wheelhouse for the Artwox kit is resin where the Eduard is photoetch, and Eduard includes the Bow decorations where as Artwox omits it. Eduard also does not included the hatches on the hull. Neither kit has a decent rendition of the rails on the hull. Artvox does not bother and it is only representative with Eduard. The steps on the hull are not included in the Artwox and the Eduard fret has them.

I needed a change of scenery after a 10 year build on my Endeavour. I couldn't face another long term challange. Months ago I found the Artwox Varyag on the net on an overseas site and liked it a lot, but shipping to Oz is usually a nightmare. I found the kit at BNA Models at a reasonable price and thought that itn would be a nice change as I have not done a plastic model this century.

I suppose the advantage of a late 1800's early 1900's kit has the advantage of real photos. Also the aftermarket range of goodies for plastic kits is great, as plastic is a lot more unforgiving than wood.

The Artwox kit only has the original Zvesda hull, with their own false deck, wooden deck, resin, photoetch and barrels.

The instructions are fairly good but without other references I would be lost. After having done a tall ship model, I now know how important the rigging plans are (the kit has none) and I have orderd the Kagero book.

There are some things missing from the Artwox photoetch fret which are included in the Eduard kit and vice versa, so I also got that.

A rigging plan would be nice too. I just bought the kit as well.

Thanks folks,

Just ordered the Artvox Varyag super kit for a change of pace.

How do I change the title?

Job complete. Very little of the AL kit was used, and as I said to my 10 year old last night, I started this when you were a baby, it's now in this glass box and you can do whatever you want with it after I'm dead, as it's not going anywhere.

The very last bits, after 10 years, order the flags from BECC in the UK, 5 days all up to OZ

Tree nails nearly did my head in but it was worth it, looking good mate.

Nice work, 35 is hot enough

The last of the rigging. The ships longboat being brought in. Fiddly work. The flagstaff are attached and I am just awaiting the flags to arrive before she will be complete.

The research I have done showed that the Fore and main yards were braced with tackle from the topgallants when lowering a boat or heavy load. There was a sling attached to the yard to take the hook.

I have re varnished the base and attached the pedestals. I also use some brass rods to act as support struts to hopefully keep the ship from future cat tipping

I'm in the process of varnishing the base, pedestals ready to go, I have bought a display case, flags ordered from the UK, just have to rig the final ships boat being lowered into the water. I reckon it'll be planted in my front hall in a fortnight where it will sit till I die or the bloody cat tips it over. The plan is a few OT shifts and then order the Bluejacket Atlantic which no one seems to have done, just don't tell the bride.

Sigh, divorce is far too expensive. And I like the wife. I spend the whole day fixing the front end damage, restropping blocks and fixing a snapped bumpkin. Two dead lights to repair, sling a boat, whack it in a case and finished! Apart from losing the boom kind and jackstaff in the house move. It seriously never finishes.

Love it, far sharper than mine.

I reckon you're right, it doesn't make sense to have it where the AOTS says it goes, it was a bugger to rig and gets in the road.

The last of the ships boats. I scratch built the outside back in mid 2011 when I did the others, but as I am facing extensive cat damage again I thought I'd get i over and done with so I could do the rigging in one hit.

I have run off the AOTS's longboat including Windlass and Cable Cleats.

Well,

I'm back. The Government bought my house (asbestos) , I bought a new one, moved everything. ANOTHER CAT attacked the Endeavour whilst it was being babysat. More repairs to go again. Nothing major but bloody annoying.

Looks just like my porcupine did! The contrast will come up nicely

Nice work mate

Nice work.

Ok, sick to death or rope coils. I could probably go on and on and on with them, so I had to draw a line in the sand and stop. I have added the swivel guns (prepared ages ago - May 2012). I have added a photo of the swivel gun provided with the kit as well which is about 200 years out of date I think.

I have actually prepared the flagstaffs for the bow and the stern, but I need some advice on the flags. Each of the masts have a trunnel for flags as well. Do I use them?

You just won a lottery with all those books and tools, I could just see my wife's eyes roll. Good job in the first layer, that's the worst part over.

The legacy of so much rigging is so many rope coils. i mean it, hundreds of the bloody things. I'm about half way there I think. It kinda looks like a dogs breakfast but I suppose it's meant to . the really difficulty is getting to the belaying points past all the standing and running rigging.

Nice work. Are you going to have belaying pins?