The Ship Model Forum

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There is definitely something there - this picture (bottom left) seems to imply that it was solid (solid shadow):
http://www.navsource.narod.ru/photos/02 ... 165033.jpg

Yet, I have also seen some photos in which you can see very faintly the white waterline, denoting mesh.

As to its purpose, perhaps this shot of Peter's may provide a bit of insight - safety net/platform for small boats?
http://www.navsource.narod.ru/photos/02 ... 168052.jpg

However, this shot of Peter's show that there was no mesh/solid platform (you can clearly see the shadows of the framework on the hull, with no sign of darkness between them), and is taken at around the same time as the one above, so probably whatever was there in the older ships had nothing or not on purpose to do with safety:
http://www.navsource.narod.ru/photos/02 ... 168057.jpg

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De quoi s'agit-il?

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This is the kind of info I like to see posted here. Informative info on making the most accurate kits possible. Good work Bob.

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Timothy Dike
Owner & Administrator
ModelWarships.com

Well Bob keep the info coming. Will help me later if I decide to build it in 1/72. One question is this the same on all the ships or different to each? I plan on the Frunz / Admiral Lazarev or Pyotr Velikiy.
Mick

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Building
1/72 Admiral Kuznetsov
1/72 Frunze Russian Battle cruiser
1/72 Steregushchy-class corvette

Mick
Tumut Australia

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Very good job Bob. Your drawings are terrific – great help for all Kirov builders (I also have Trumpeter 1/350 Kirov ).



This photo (probably Pyotr Velikiy) is showing some details of hull below the waterline:



It is quite possible that Kirov had got identical hull with the same features.

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Roel and I have been trying to get clear photos of them for awhile now. We've seen some similar structures on some other Soviet/Russian craft.

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Sean Hert

One more photo of the hull below the waterlinie – this time from the bow:



BTW: Trumpeter 1/350 Frunze also has the wrong radar configuration, it has got Top Plate instead of Top Steer. The same mistake as Kirov kit.

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I think I recall that the tracks on the Sovremennies were used to move torpedoes around on carts. - I suppose on the Kirov class they could be used similarly for moving heavy objects.

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This picture is showing some kind of cart that is used on decks of Russian ships:

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Bob, on the SAM shooters before the vertical launch system we carried a dolly that could be used to transfer missiles between missile houses/magazines - it rolled on solid rubber tires. It was a cumbersome and time consuming process that the Gunnersmate, Missiles were graded on. Its value was in a wartime if a casualty prevent use of one of the launchers. I have never learned the purpose for the these rails, perhaps maintenance inport. Half the instruments/switches in their jets are for ground maintenance, so maybe the same applies here. On the Sovremmenys I had learned that they are mine rails. I can imagine no greater trip hazard and preservation challenge than those rails - think of the pockets for rust. Given what I have observed first hand on Soviet/Russian ships, those rails are no doubt coated with paint - hiding corrosion and impeding operation.

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Charles Landrum
USNA 1983
Norfolk, Virginia

Hi!! modeller,
I've just started the Kirov 1/350, there are some problem of the SS-N-19 lauchers' cover. For Trumpeter version, in both 1/700 and 1/350. They have some "rims" on top, I have build a Dragon 1/700 before, their version looks more correct!! I've also search for detail photos... Look like I have to remove all the extra detail from Trumpeter!!
Could anyone gave me some advise. Thanks!!

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This picture seems to agree with your assessment: http://www.navsource.narod.ru/photos/02 ... 166020.jpg
Looks like you will have to somehow remove all the ridges without destroying the hinges and eyehooks.
The difficulty is that the ridges seem to be at the proper height of the cover. Removing them will mean that the surface will be a little lower than it actually is. This can probably be fixed by adding a layer of thin paper on top and then scratchadding the lost details.
Tedious work though.

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