MASTER-KORABEL NEWS

[hollowneck]

On 3/18/2020 at 2:31 PM, catopower said:

Looking forward to getting my hands on one of these lovely kits!

I can attest that the Russian Polotsk kit is superb - in so many important ways. The materials (especially the laser-cut & etched Swiss pear) are excellent throughout and the unique approach to the build is very innovative, particularly the stern as well as stem sections; an interesting and effective departure that utilizes jigs one makes to assist.The 1/72-scale Polotsk includes spiled pear "second" planking. The photos here are self-explanatory. The spiled laser-cut, thin hull planking has a self-adhesive backing and when heat is applied it firmly bonds with the traditional first planking. I have completed the model's hull and her rigging is ahead of me.

The black wale is NOT painted; the supplied wood for both - as well as other hull components - are dyed black, presumably pear. The thickness of the pear wood spiling is approximately 0.5 MM that also makes the "veneering" of the hull easy to apply (with a heat wand) with resulting, excellent joinery.

In addition to the hull planking, the upper bulwarks, including both bulwark interiors are also precision, laser-cut pear wood.

The dyed black capping rails were too light and inconsistent in hue so I added a flat black acrylic to better match the wales, stem and stern areas. The windlass, belfry assembly and other deck furniture are detailed very nicely.

The completed model photo is from a Russian modeler who has finished his build. As indicated here, the Polotsk was schooner-rigged and saw service in the Black Sea in the early-to-mid 19th-century.

The basic bulkhead structure is a "plug-in" design that's quite effective. The keel is 5-ply plywood...just when we thought plywood was "Old School!" Sharp eyes will note that the thin pear transom has split on both sides when glued to the shaped underpinnings; this wasn't critical as there was a black veneer mounted later. The stern shaping approach with "stacked" sections worked better than I had anticipated it would. On the starboard side, the first planking has been applied; it will get the thin skin of pear pear in a second planking procedure. The holes in the keelformer accurately locate the actual pear wood keel/keelson.

This warship model is considerably better built than most Russian army war materiels...tanks as well as Navy Missile Cruisers that serve double-duty as submarines...

The provided jig (that one assembles) is used to get the stem bulkheads properly aligned. You'll toss it out once everything's properly glued. Note the beveled stem bulkhead.

The stern also has a fixture for aligning all the pieces correctly, before planking. Lots of sanding here, but the visual guide is a good reference on how much to shape the upper and lower transoms and wings. Like the Stem fixture, you'll toss this one too once you've aligned and glued everything. A little tricky, but effective if one proceeds cautiously on this element of the hull's construction.

The kit has a full-color instruction manual that is well-done. Like all instructions, look ahead in these pages before getting too far ahead of yourself. The kit does have written instructions in pidjin English: these are pretty useless (and not necessary). Throughout my build thus far, I only referred to the picture guidance (and the clear nomenclature identifying the parts).

The stern view on my Polotsk's nearly completed hull. The "golden" trim, Russian eagle insignia and Cyrllic characters are nice, malleable brass P/E. One can see how accurately and cleanly the spiled hull planking meets at the sternpost. No stealers. No filler.

Edited May 18, 2022 by hollowneck
grammar & Spelling

[greenstone]

Fitting without glue

[greenstone]

Let's continue, friends.

While there is an opportunity (before the mast), we decided to demonstrate to you

how the carronade could be moved  between the platforms on the launch.

💡By the way, a very interesting option to show on the model, if without a mast and sails.

[greenstone]

By the way, I did not show what the new kit does on the plastic conductor (;C) of our invention.

We have protected this our invention with a patent.

This allows you to assemble the hull very easily, quickly and very-very accurately!

And you get the most accurate contours of hull.

[chris watton]

So very nicely done!

[ccoyle]

Great idea -- and I love the precision "clamps"!

[hollowneck]

On 5/25/2022 at 2:00 PM, chris watton said:

So very nicely done!

Very interesting and clever...a mold to align and hold ribs. But I'll need to buy a load of those precision clamps!😆

 

[greenstone]

Thank you for your comments and evaluation of our work!

 

7 hours ago, hollowneck said:

Very interesting and clever...a mold to align and hold ribs. But I'll need to buy a load of those precision clamps!😆

 

Those "precision clamps" will be in a box of our wooden kit.

 

 

[greenstone]

 

Continuation

[greenstone]

[BenD]

This is looking like a very detailed kit! To be honest all of the MK kits are this detailed. 

 

I'm also looking forward to the Mercury and Venus developments. They will no doubt be as detailed and intricate. 

[greenstone]

More small details

[greenstone]

The hull of the test assembly is ready.

Photos without mast and sails

Already 859 details

 

Edited June 7, 2022 by greenstone

[Gahm]

What a beautiful model!

 

Thomas

[James H]

Simply gorgeous and the colour of the finished timber is perfect. 

 

What do you use to varnish/oil your project?

[DocRob]

Your boat looks absolutely fantastic, made with great woodworking skills.

 

Cheers Rob

[greenstone]

18 hours ago, James H said:

 

What do you use to varnish/oil your project?

Tung Oil  Finish

[greenstone]

Have a good day! 

We want to please you with new photos

[Peta_V]

Wow, that looks awesome!!!!! I want this kit! Including sails and rigging?

[Ronald-V]

Man...this is beautiful! 

 

Edited June 10, 2022 by mugje

[grsjax]

Saw a facebook ad for this new model.  15% off if pre-ordered.  Is this deal available to US buyers or only European buyers?

[greenstone]

On 6/11/2022 at 7:35 AM, grsjax said:

Saw a facebook ad for this new model.  15% off if pre-ordered.  Is this deal available to US buyers or only European buyers?

Greetings. This offer is relevant only for delivery in Russia.

We don't have documentation in English yet.

 

[chris watton]

Very nice indeed, well done. This should be another good seller!

[Ronald-V]

On 6/13/2022 at 8:51 AM, greenstone said:

Greetings. This offer is relevant only for delivery in Russia.

We don't have documentation in English yet.

 

Definitly buying when it's ready for the European market!

[greenstone]

[BenD]

Now that's a handsome little gunboat! 

[greenstone]

We received the first order of photo etching (0.2mm, 0.3mm and 0.5mm) for MK0304

👍🏻 The quality  is excellent.

[greenstone]

My respect, dear colleagues!

Completing a new woodenkit MK0304 is in the process.

 

[greenstone]

Progress

[greenstone]

Finally, the long-awaited assembly photo instruction of the wooden kit MK0304 is ready.

Another step has been taken

 

Edited May 19, 2023 by greenstone