Precision brass aftermarket manufacturer BMK of Germany introduces a new line of finely turned brass replacement masts in various sizes, to greatly enhance the overall look and accuracy of your ship model subject. This "first-look" style review gives us a little closer look at these precision items.

introduction. . .

For those modelers in our community that have not yet had the experience of this manufacturer, BMK is a German based, after market upgrade manufacturer of precision turned brass ship gun barrels, resin parts, precision tools, and now, turned brass replacement masts for the shipwright.

BMK is operated by Burkhardt Masch Kleinserien, a German ship modeler hailing from Dransfeld, Germany. Burkhardt (who is a site-member and regular visitor of MSW) turns each one of the barrels and masts himself on a precision lathe, with great care for the end product. Burkhardt is a member of a group of other German ship modelers who operate a successful modeling website, http://www.modellmarine.de which was founded in 2004 by some enthusiastic ship model builders. Their intension was to create a German speaking webzine
about ship modeling with kit and book reviews, build-ups, walk-arounds, tips
and techniques etc.

The webzine is updated daily with new articles, from outstanding European shipmodellers. Their “crew” is very experienced in ship technology, naval history and of course in building ship models. Therefore, they are aware of the deficits and problems with many kits and decided to make replacement parts and detail-sets to correct those failures, and the end result, is BMK. Every member of their crew has a regular fulltime job, so right now the shop is only a small side line business. There are future plans from the company for photo-etch, as well as full resin upgrades and conversions for many subjects.

The masts. . .

BMK now offers 8 different diameter mast replacements, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60 mm sizes, with a new set just introduced that offers twin 6x36mm lower masts, brass, 1/700 scale, for Kombrig kits of British Pre-Dreadnoughts.

The masts vary in price from 1.70 to 4.00 euros (and are worth every bit), and are tiny, brass marvels, which are sure to make your next mast replacement an easy, and accurate task. Spun from solid brass, the masts feature the taper that is necessary to portray the ships mast in complete accuracy, which until now, most modelers used either the plastic part supplied by the manufacturer, or by using brass rod for the mast in an approximate scale size. We now can use an aftermarket upgrade that not only replicates the look of the ships mast; it will be a completely accurate replacement for your ship subject. It will be up to the individual modeler to identify the size that they will need for their specific build, which with a bit of research, shouldn't be much of a problem.

BMK carefully packages their masts in small, hinge-lidded style plastic boxes, for complete protection of the masts integrity until it arrives into the modelers hands. Each end of the masts are wrapped in poly-foam for the utmost in shipping protection, then the plastic box is securely taped shut, and placed into the clear plastic zip-lock packaging
bag. Company logo, and mast size in millimeters is provided on the front of the mast packaging.

The masts themselves exhibit the delicate taper that is apparent in the real counterpart, with tiny glue pins turned into the thick end for ease of attachment to your model subject. The turnings are clean, free from any burrs or imperfections, and are amazingly straight and true for their delicate size.

All in all, these masts look to be a fantastic addition to BMK's growing line of useful and unique after-market upgrades, offering the modeler the opportunity for a super detailed improvement to their next build.