1/350 Kirov (Trumpeter Modified)

[carr]

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[Admhawk]

Excellent work Bob!! I also have been waiting patiently for an update!

[Sten Ekedahl]

Following this one with great interest. I have a (presently stalled) Kalinin that I won at a modeling show the other year. ... features that are missing and needs to be added. Most notably are the sonar dome under the keel and the intake scoope under the bottom of the hull...

Good to hear from you and I hope you enjoy the build. You bring up an interesting aspect: the underwater hull. I have amassed about as extensive collection of photos of the Kirov class as is possible from the public domain. However, none of my photos show the existence of a keel sonar or intakes (presumably, nuclear cooling water intakes). The Trumpeter kit provides these parts and yet I can find no evidence to back up their existence. It's not that I don't believe that intakes exist - they have to. It's just that I can't prove what they look like and where they are. I'm disinclined to accept the Trumpeter version given the inaccuracies in the rest of the kit for areas and items which are much better documented. Likewise with the keel mounted sonar; it's quite plausible but I can't document it's existence or appearance. Do you have any photographic proof, one way or another?

Regardless, post some pictures as you progress and let us see your work!

Thanks,
Bob

Funny thing is that these hull details are missing from the 1/700 kit, but from what I can see on your model, are present on the 1/350 kit - from the same manufacturer!
Oh, and I will post some pics when I eventually restart this project. Right now busy trying to convert the Banner 1/350 Arizona into something that will at least look like the real thing - which is a project on the border of scratchbuilding!

[carr]

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[carr]

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[engine5t3]

I really do not see how anybody could criticize! Amazing work! I think i'm just going to sell my Kirov before I even begin.

[carr]

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[Admhawk]

Good to see a new post! I was going through withdrawal! Excellent work, as usual!

A question, do you have any side views of the real Pop Group guidance radar?

[carr]

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[Admhawk]

Hi Bob,

Just a photo that shows the flat dishes from the side, doesn't have to be from Kirov.

As far as parts sets or specific upgrade parts for kits, the simple answer is I just don't have time. I'm so far behind on my full kit and decal releases, that I'd never be able to do the research or building of any upgrade sets.

That being said, if someone wanted to do the research and make masters, casting them up is the easy part and I'm sure we could come to a mutually agreeable arrangement. Just don't expect to get rich!! I haven't yet.

Darren

[carr]

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[Admhawk]

Thanks! It's very hard to see, but I was trying to tell if the inner disc was conical. The shot from the rear, that shows the rib pattern, makes it look like it is, but it's a very, very flat cone.

Cheers!

[carr]

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[Admhawk]

Darren,
Was there a particular purpose behind your inquiry, other than curiosity? I thought I was the only one who looked at stuff that closely!! Are you building a Kirov?
Regards,
Bob

Ha! Nope, just curious!! and keeping you on your toes! Plus, I'm one of those people that has to 'See It' for myself!!

How you did yours is probably how I'll do mine, but that won't happen for a long while, so just collecting info as you share your build.

I've always liked this ship and was very happy when the kit(s) were brought out. I bought the first kit available, but now think I may get a later one to do the Kirov properly at some future date. I really do have too many projects piling up, but I intend to retire young.

Keep up the fantastic work, first rate build!
Darren

[pingjockey]

Your attention to detail is mind-boggling! Someday I would like to make a build with all the PE and other details, but I don't think I have the patience. Nice job!

[carr]

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[navydavesof]

Don't tell anyone, Bob, but I cross-polinated once. The only diorama I have ever built was of a little crew-served weapons team of Warhammer guys that had gotten into a fight with an AT-ST. I wish I had pictures to share. It was pretty neat (I would like to do one of an M1 Abrams monster-trucking a car someday, too).

[mitchell300]

I work in the dutch navy as weapon technisian.
And i know how hard it is on a ship from 156m tall with a few radars/sensors/weapons.
And then i see this.
Man if those radars are working, they betta say nobody walking outside.
Because if you have to hang up signs with no passage allowed (because of radiation) then i think i would commit suicide...
They need 600 signs for it

And the extreme details you put into this model are also insane.
I would do anything for a model with these details. And i would do a murder for these skills to produce it!

Happy new year!

Mitch

[carr]

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[Dave Wooley]

Hi Bob just picked up on your superb Kirov build. Neat transformation of the Pop Group. I'm surprised that the kit did not render a good example of that array. Very skilled workmanship and excellent attention to the finer detail, as I often say it really is an accumulation of the small bits that eventually makes the model.
Dave Wooley