Keith Bender
1/350 Kirov (Trumpeter)
This kit went together very well. Being a full hull man it was a bit easier than most Trumpeter kits but shouldn't be too difficult for our waterline guys to hack off the bottom. I used WEM PE and paints for this project. I made the model as Kirov in 1983, my last year in the navy. Her number at the time was "065". I used the kit decals to come up with these numbers just by rearranging the ones that are on the decals sheet.
I did some mods in the hanger and detailed the hanger doors with hinges and structural beams. One of the most difficult things with these modern Trumpeter kits is they mold the superstructure in clear so the windows are clear. This in turn makes it harder to see the seams to fill so I prime it first then do the seams. As for the windows I paint them in with grimy black.
The four bladed props are incorrect for this class so I used some home grown ones I cast in rest that have five blades. I split the rudders at their hinged area then hung them as they should be. This makes the rudders look as if they are two separate pieces. The two intakes on the lower hull are opened as well to show where water would be inducted. The bow area along the deck needs some attention. The entire forecastle where railing meets the sides of the hull needs to have an angle cut into it. The kit comes with the deck meeting the hull on a sharp angle and this is not correct. You can see this angle in the photos between the railing and the hull. However it does come to a point by the time it reaches the stem.
In all this was a pretty good kit to work. I have always like the Kirov class, they're big and ugly and very different so they stand out among others. Building a modern Russian ship gives one a break from the WWll things I'm always building plus there is a color change, got to love those orange decks.
