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Building the Admiral Nahkimov, 1889

The difficulties of my build of this model, were compounded further by my wishing to build the ship as first commissioned with the full Brig sailing rig; but the kit represents the ship at a later stage of her career. To this end the first major modification was the removal of the cast block of resin which simulates the later fitted light gun platform and making good the deck there under ; builders of this kit who wish to represent the ship later in her career need to do this anyhow -this gun- platform was actually not solid based but supported on a number of columns.

Based on the plans I had, I cut the stairway apertures and lined them with brass, and applied skylight detail, and then carved away various cast stairs and parts that appeared to be incorrectly placed or sized. Then, I applied the funnel base vent cover plates, as well as clad the aft deckhouse in brass " wood" paneling; these were actually WEM PE Askold gun embrasure plates. I had blindly fitted these to the forward lump of resin. But, upon further examination of photos, soon showed me the error of my ways...

The second photo shows the now removed block with the decking re-scored with the tip of a sharp blade

The bow area had the hawse pipe areas reinforced, and also had some sheer added by the simple expedient of bending the forward hull!!

The hull needed the distinctive strakes fitting at the mid hull height, as well as the main deck-edge, along with the admirals walk area that needed hollowing out more, as well. The overhanging deck required more thinning, and the round scuttle openings (whilst being the correct number and in the right place) were on the real ship set within square edged and lift-up open able lids. These were made using pieces of suitable ladder stock cut and applied with clear varnish.

The extensive flying bridge area was much too thick, and had some odd shapes within the outline, as was the integral conning tower, which was too small... also, the 'splinter shields' that were on the real ship, were actually canvas covered railing.
Here, I gloriously miss-interpreted some photos, and made a very nice flying deck very much the wrong shape..!! Having glued it in place with all its supports... doubt started to creep in--More info was required!
Luckily both my e-chums Sergey Myagkov and Jean-Paul Binot immediately came to the rescue, supplying scans and plans from their respective collections...Thank you Gentlemen!