Zvezda 1/350 scale Russian Cruiser Varyag

[MSea]

Next project is the Russian Protected Cruiser Varyag - she was commissioned in 1901 at the Cramp shipyard in Philadelphia.
This is the Zvezda model with Eduard etch brass set.  When built she will be placed in the Suez Canal on her way to Port Arthur in the far east. 
The final fate of the ship was, she was sunk at the Battle of Chemulpo Bay - raised by the Japanese and commissioned into the Japanese navy as the "Soya" - returned to the Russians in 1916 during World War One . She returned to Russia but was in such a bad condition she was sent to Birkenhead for repairs. Overtaken by the Russian Revolution and left to rot, sold for scrap in 1920 and went aground on coast of  Scotland  while on tow and scrapped in situ until 1925. 

[Haddock]

Wow, lots of lovely brass to drive you nuts. Looking forward to this one.
Haddock.

[MSea]

Please get it right , the brass will send me "even more NUTS"

[zak]

Don't get brassed off!

[MSea]

have you been watching a DVD about brass bands - hohoho

[MSea]

Two parts of the hull fastened together and a dry run with the three sections of the deck.   
Now to mark the hull and "hack off" the lower section to waterline the hull.

[MSea]

Hull now waterlined.
Last photo shows the zigzag ladders removed on the port side and remaining on the stardboard side - both will be replaced by etch brass

[Haddock]

The planking looks to be nicely engraved, should be fun picking out the planks.
Haddock.

[MSea]

The planking looks to be nicely engraved, should be fun picking out the planks.
Haddock.

Yes they are ( very very impressed with all the Zvezda models I have made, excellent quality and fit ) now for a very small brush and lots of naughty nautical language - hohohoho

[MSea]

green anti-fouling paint added to the hull. The 3 sections of the main deck have had the base coat , now to start picking out individual planks.

[Haddock]

Why not just give it a "sludge" wash and wipe it off.
Haddock.

[MSea]

Right hand section shows the individual planks picked out with different colours.
Then a dry brushing of the base coat over the top on the right hand section, to calm down the overall colour.

[Haddock]

Very impressive, I don't think my eyes and hands would let me do that.
Haddock.

[MSea]

Very impressive, I don't think my eyes and hands would let me do that.
Haddock.

Its Panto season -- Oh yes they would - hohoho

[MSea]

Left hand section has now had a coat of Flory "dark dirt" weathering wash - used and removed when dry.
Thank you Tony for the idea and the bottle of wash to try.