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by Louis Carabott |
1/350 Russian Carrier Admiral Kznetsov (Trumpeter )
I started the model about 8 months ago and I have invested about 670
hours in this build. White ensign photo etch for both carrier and airwing
used. Both rear and forward hangars were scratchbuilt using varios materials
namely plastic card, plastic strips ,different gauges of telephone wire
and soldering lead as well as many odd bits and pieces from an expired
pc motherboard which I found to be very handy.
The first task was to build trestle work along the two hangars to support
the floor work. Next came the side panel works, again scratch built
anddetailed. Very limited and sketchy information is available regarding
the hangars of this carrier so I had to limit my construction to what I
had available. Hangears were then painted weathered and closed up once
they were populated with aircraft, eqipment and personnell. Next came a
wiring system to light up both the hangars and the island which come in
two different voltages thus having a low light in the island and a stronger
light in the hangars
Work was then started on the island by first sanding it clean. All
piping and tunking was fashioned out of thin soldering lead and plastic
strip. The island was sprayed with white Ensign enamels ....Simulation
of chipping and peeled paint on the hull was achieved by applying
a lighter colour on the base coat using a sponge careful not to overdo
it. Rust stains and weathering were applied to the model using oils and
pastels. Photos available all portay ship as very heavily weathered.
The top deck which came in three seperate pieces was then glued to
the hull after it was painted and weathered...and that is no easy task...gaps
were then filled with plastic strip and putty and later sprayed.
Being very careful to avoid damage, The island was then fixed to the
top deck connecting the wires to a connection inside the base of the island
before gluing it in place.
The Kuznetsov has 2 squardons of sea Flankers, one squadron of Frogfoots
and various KA25 choppers. I also included KA29 choppers visiting the carrioer
to add more colour to the model. Equipment is very minimal on the russian
carrier...a far cry from the equiment available on US carriers. The model
portrays one squadron going on a sortie , thus heavily armed...all ordnance
is scratchbuilt.
