Calling all Kiev (Киев) and Minsk (Минск) fans

[Dave Wooley]

Hi all . I need help . I'm trying to ID the area and details surrounding the inside of the elevators on Kiev . I have no photo information and am up against a blank on this one. Can any one help?
Dave Wooley

[Sauragnmon]

From what I've seen, and I've been looking over images of the area as well, when the elevators are flush, you can barely notice them, Dave. I've been looking over images at FAS and Wikipedia just to get the lines proper and such. Granted I'm going with a black deck, which you can also see in image of the third of the class. Granted mine's receiving a lot of modifications to begin with, since it's going to be an intense what-if build. Photos soon.

[Dave Wooley]

I think I've got an answer to my own question . Re - the structure around the inside of the elevator .Interesting vid and Kiev does look good .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6pAOL6l ... re=related
Dave Wooley

[Guest]

Just compilling the paint scheme information for the 1:144 Kiev. I note in a number of publications it's stated the the anti foul was black. I'm uncertain on this one but was the anti foul changed depending on the fleet deplyment . Also red and green comes up as the anti foul colour. Ok guys which is right, even I'm confused.
Dave Wooley

Hi Dave:

I have been reading about Russian ships myself and the deck on carriers is green. They also use red. It is primer. That is all they use. I will check the article again, but I just read it this AM and that's what it said.

Stephen C.
intruder500

[Roberto]

Can anyone confirm that the Novorossyisk ever received the SA-N-9s slated to be installed next to the aft elevator?
In all the pictures I have seen, the area is of a different color but it seems to be stocked with fire fighting equipment.
since we are at it, what was the aft elevator's main function? Waas it just for the helicopters? Or weapons?

[kidcurrie42]

Dave,
This is how i remember the door for the Trapdoor radar opens, i did have a pic of it but cannot for the life of me find it, if i do i will post it.



Regards

John

[Nektarios]

Can anyone confirm that the Novorossyisk ever received the SA-N-9s slated to be installed next to the aft elevator?
In all the pictures I have seen, the area is of a different color but it seems to be stocked with fire fighting equipment.
since we are at it, what was the aft elevator's main function? Waas it just for the helicopters? Or weapons?

NO the answer is that Novorossyisk never received the SA-N-9s.

[ozpirate]

Does anyone have some good close up pictures of the Minck near Hong Kong. We have a person interested in building her but need heaps more images. The person wants to build at 1/72, same as the guys in Wagga.

[Timmy C]

This might be slightly useful: http://www.360cities.net/business/stand ... henzhen-01

[ozpirate]

Great images but cant save 360 Degrees images

[Timmy C]

You can take a screenshot of the screen while looking at the area that you want

[travelling_man]

Hi Guys

Not so much as a request for research material, more of an offer of some!

Minsk World is a military theme park located in Dapeng Bay, Shatoujiao, Shenzhen, China. It includes the huge former Soviet (later Russian) aircraft carrier Minsk, redesigned as a tourist attraction.



Its also relatively close to where I live, so as an assistance to somebody (Mick, aka Ozpirate) building the Minsk I had a trip up there today.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minsk_World

I chose today as it was a beautiful sunny day. Unfortunately 1.5hrs away it wasn't as nice and EXTREMELY misty! However, having gone all that way I wasn't coming back without getting to see her!

I took a HEAP of pictures which I am currently uploading.

Let me first say that the condition of the vessel is AWFUL! No money has been spent on her and she is generally in a shocking condition, some of it (especially the aircraft) is boardering on dangerous as you will be able to see! That be said, the photos I hope will show details that anyone doing a build will need to see.

I have not resized the pictures so as to maintain as much clarity on detail as possible. Please feel free to use these pictures if you are doing a build.

The pictures (which at the time of this posting are still uploading) can be found via an index at:

http://www.shekouonline.com/Minsk%20World/index.html

Enjoy!

Regarding the trapdoor, I actually had a good look at that. The blocks around the sides and the front are infact hydraulic pins which move in and out over rollers to lock the hatch down. The bottom end is hinged and when all the locks are out can be raised around these points. Not sure how this is done though as there is no sign of any lifting mechanism, maybe rams from below..... although if you look at the photo below, the aft end appears to have some sort of hydraulics...(??) There is of course the lifting eye at the forward end of the hatch, but I would suggest that this is more as a securing point when it is open in case of hydraulic failure to stop it falling shut (??)





Cheers

Steve

[Dave Wooley]

Hi Steve. I wonder what the visitor numbers are like these days. I noted that the old Kiev was also a park attraction. Interesting when you mentioned about the condition of the vessel. Maintaining these sort of "artifacts� in some form of safe condition is a costly never ending affair but one the size of Minsk! I wonder if it's a private company funding and operating Minsk World or does the local government have some financial impute? If like Kiev the park becomes a financial liability the ship will no doubt go to razor blades. Contrast that with the US. Even though the City Fathers of Philadelphia are reluctant to fund the Olympia there is a clause that ex-USN ships will revert back to the Navy in such an event. Not so in the UK hence the concerns for HMS Plymouth which I know only to well. Thanks for making the pictures available, wish I could have been there { needed to get my camera in to some nooks and crannies not normally seen on the visitor trail?} If I had known you where going , well that's another story! . Although the Kiev and Minsk are the same class, like any ships of the same class there are many differences but many similarities. The only regret is not having the "builders" drawings, they must be somewhere? And I guess they are aboard the vessel as a set of builders drawings had to be kept aboard Plymouth when she was an Historic attraction.
Dave Wooley

[travelling_man]

Hi Steve. I wonder what the visitor numbers are like these days. I noted that the old Kiev was also a park attraction. Interesting when you mentioned about the condition of the vessel. Maintaining these sort of "artifacts� in some form of safe condition is a costly never ending affair but one the size of Minsk! I wonder if it's a private company funding and operating Minsk World or does the local government have some financial impute? If like Kiev the park becomes a financial liability the ship will no doubt go to razor blades. Contrast that with the US. Even though the City Fathers of Philadelphia are reluctant to fund the Olympia there is a clause that ex-USN ships will revert back to the Navy in such an event. Not so in the UK hence the concerns for HMS Plymouth which I know only to well. Thanks for making the pictures available, wish I could have been there { needed to get my camera in to some nooks and crannies not normally seen on the visitor trail?} If I had known you where going , well that's another story! . Although the Kiev and Minsk are the same class, like any ships of the same class there are many differences but many similarities. The only regret is not having the "builders" drawings, they must be somewhere? And I guess they are aboard the vessel as a set of builders drawings had to be kept aboard Plymouth when she was an Historic attraction.
Dave Wooley

Hi Dave

According to Wikipedia, the Minsk was sold in 1995 to a South Korean businessman, and later resold to Shenzhen Minsk Aircraft Carrier Industry Co. Ltd., a Chinese company. Until 2006, when the company went bankrupt, Minsk was the centerpiece of a military theme park in Shatoujiao (???) district, Shenzhen called Minsk World. The aircraft carrier was put up for auction on 22 March 2006. No bids at the starting price of 128 million RMB were received, so the carrier was withdrawn from sale.

On 31 May 2006, the Soviet aircraft carrier was finally auctioned off in Shenzhen for 128 million RMB to CITIC Shenzhen, the current operator (a wholly owned subsidiary directly under CITIC. With a total asset of RMB 6 billion and 19 subsidiaries, consecutively titled as "a big unit of foreign exchange in Shenzhen"). It is currently named CITIC Minsk World.

My impression is that they have spent as little as possible in the way of keeping her in anything like reasonable condition. As I say, the aircraft are a total joke and an accident just waiting to happen!! The weather has obviously been an influence, many exhibits were damaged where woodwork had warped and paint peeled etc.

As for visitor numbers, as you will see from the pictures there were very few! Having said that, in the area in was a pretty rotten day, and just 2 days into the first week after everyone has gone back to work after the end of Chinese New Year. Not enough to keep it running as a going concern anyhow!

As you will see from the pictures (and LOTS of them) I have tried to capture the areas that may not always be clearly viewed, and from different angles. Apologies for not letting you know, I should have twigged, but I went at short notice due to the good weather, after a request from Mick. Having had a right job looking for pictures for my Udaloy I tried to imagine what I would need and tried to cover what I thought would be required. I am sure I will go back again sometime, so if theres anything else you need I could get it then!

There is certainly no drawings onboard her. Infact basically the whole ship is nothing much more than a gutted shell with a visitors area around far too many souvineer shops and photo shoot (in Russian naval dress) areas. Peer in through any window away from the visitor route and all you see is ripped out spaces. Sad ending for a vessel that has gone up immeasureably in my estimation after todays visit. I could almost feel her pain too.

Afraid the pictures are still uploading, up to 54% now, there is rather a lot!

Cheers

Steve

[Dave Wooley]

Many thanks Steve you have made my day . Experience has taught me never to permanently fit anything until the very last part of the build. If it needs changing /amended then there is a fighting chance . Once it's fixed there's not much that can be done.
Dave Wooley

[travelling_man]

Hi Guys

I have uploaded a slightly better version of the album at http://www.shekouonline.com/minskworld/index.html

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ ... l-1936.htm is also worth having a read for general interest

[Lesforan]

My Kiev kit has now aged five years since coming into my possession. I bought it at a IPMS show in Huntsville, Alabama.
I suppose it is about time to commence the build, especially since I am in a "Russian construction" mode, finishing up my Varyag.

Les

[Cliffy B]

Hey guys, I'm interested in getting one of Trumpy's 1/700 Kievs and I'm wondering how great of a kit it is. From the builds in the gallery it looks like a good kit but no one comments on its accuracy or ease of build. Google doesn't turn up anything either. What do you guys think of it? What is the difference between the Kiev and Minsk boxings?

[braxat2000]

Hi,
What should be the color of the deck vehicles for the kiev? I've found some photos showing them to be some yellowish color, is this the case?

Thanks !!

[Don Grasmick]

Hi guys,

In a couple weeks Im going to build the Aoshima 1/700 Minsk (should have gone with the Trumpeter in retrospect). Im collecting my paint ahead of time. Ive read through three pages of posts and I cannot find an accurate answer to a basic question I have.... What color modelmasters or tamiya paints would I need for the deck? I know everyone has their say on the specific colors but what colors would look good for the deck at the 1/700 scale.

Appreciate the help guys!!!