by Frank Unger
1/200 Bogatyr (BK Verlag)
Cruiser, built by Vulcan-Germany for the Tsarist Russian Navy
I have over the years built many different models in a variety of media and scales.
Plastic models, especially aircraft in 1/72, various ships, N-gauge Modelrailways as well as Radio Control working models.
I have now however found my niche in modelling in card.
From my point of view, the big difference between cardboard and plastic modelling the fact that in Plastic Model, the main tasks are the assembly and finishing of the components and the entire model.
In card modelling the challenge lies in the "manufacture" of the components. Except for the colouring of the cut edges, the colour design of the parts of the model is laid down by the producing publisher.
This has, at least in my opinion, some major advantages.
Previously much sanding was needed, which resulted in my being was banished to the basement. Likewise the fumes and solvent vapours when painting….
Nowadays I can model ‘with the family’. Scissors, ruler and a few basic tools suffice for a cardboard model. Finer detailing of the model has no limits, aids to this are water colours, graphics felt pens, Phototeched and lasercut parts along with anything that can be found in the oddments box.
Rigging is done using stretched sprue from plastic kits.
The construction of this Card-kit was no problem; Printing accuracy and execution were top class.
A highlight to mention is the double-sided printing of relevant components such as the splintershields. A doubling up of the components is not necessary.
Many card models are presented in waterline format—because the numerous joins in the hull construction cannot be easily disguised—I painted mine using a rust prevention paint from the hardware store. The build was an enjoyable experience, the part fit was very good. I enhanced the model with Photoetch and metal gunbarrels from GPM in Poland.
I spent around three months in building my model.
I hope to have given a bit of positive press for card models.
