The Aurora was a Pallada class protected cruiser commissioned in 1903. She allegedly fired the signal to start the October Revolution in 1917. She is now preserved as a museum ship in Saint Petersburg. This model has a long history - originally produced by Heller in 197X ( even Scalemates doesn't have a date ). Heller produced quite a few 1/400 warships, I believe that Mirage Hobby were the only other maker to take up this scale. The Aurora seems to be have produced by 7 other manufacturers - all Eastern Bloc!
This one is produced by Ogonek, a Russian maker
In a very flimsy, poor quality box, with a totally uninspiring boxtop. ( the name is on the side - all in Cyrillic script )
Sprue shots
A lot of flash, and a few ejector marks - the sprues are noticeably sticky with release agent & will need a warm soapy bath before assembly begins )
Instructions
printed on the thinnest paper ( what we used to call onion paper ) all in Cyrillic script, with simple diagrams........................
Placing of some parts looks a little vague, but once you have the bits in your hand may become evident!
A few detail shots..............
The first impression, as you first look in the box is UGH! ..........................but look a little closer, and you can see the basics are there. The construction wouldn't be easy, a lot of replacing, filling & fitting ( I would add canvas covers to those boats! ). Personally, I would waterline the model & put on a calm sea base. It would be quite a project, only for an experienced warship model builder. You would need to do a lot of research - the configuration of armament changed a lot over the years ( she's supposed to be as in 1917 ). Colours would also need to be looked into as the instructions aren't much help ( unless you speak Russian ). There are aftermarket parts available, wooden veneer decks, but at a high cost! - 1/400 railings aren't that common, but can be found with diligent searching..........
Availability? This seems to be getting to the collector category, prices are way too high for the builder. Ebay or pre-owned sites are the only UK source . mine has been in the stash for years, back to the days that these things were going for a song!
Unless you have an urgent need to model the Aurora, I'd suggest you look at the 1/350 Zvezda 'Varyag' for a WWI Russian cruiser - a standard scale model produced recently!
Dave
Dave
This one is produced by Ogonek, a Russian maker
In a very flimsy, poor quality box, with a totally uninspiring boxtop. ( the name is on the side - all in Cyrillic script )
Sprue shots
A lot of flash, and a few ejector marks - the sprues are noticeably sticky with release agent & will need a warm soapy bath before assembly begins )
Instructions
printed on the thinnest paper ( what we used to call onion paper ) all in Cyrillic script, with simple diagrams........................
Placing of some parts looks a little vague, but once you have the bits in your hand may become evident!
A few detail shots..............
The first impression, as you first look in the box is UGH! ..........................but look a little closer, and you can see the basics are there. The construction wouldn't be easy, a lot of replacing, filling & fitting ( I would add canvas covers to those boats! ). Personally, I would waterline the model & put on a calm sea base. It would be quite a project, only for an experienced warship model builder. You would need to do a lot of research - the configuration of armament changed a lot over the years ( she's supposed to be as in 1917 ). Colours would also need to be looked into as the instructions aren't much help ( unless you speak Russian ). There are aftermarket parts available, wooden veneer decks, but at a high cost! - 1/400 railings aren't that common, but can be found with diligent searching..........
Availability? This seems to be getting to the collector category, prices are way too high for the builder. Ebay or pre-owned sites are the only UK source . mine has been in the stash for years, back to the days that these things were going for a song!
Unless you have an urgent need to model the Aurora, I'd suggest you look at the 1/350 Zvezda 'Varyag' for a WWI Russian cruiser - a standard scale model produced recently!
Dave
Dave
Comment