Hi Greg,
Thanks for stopping by, I'm just muddling along one build step at a time.
Thanks for stopping by, I'm just muddling along one build step at a time.
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Santa Maria 1:48 - Ships of Pavel Nikitin by Pathfinder65
- Thread starter Pathfinder65
- Start date
- Watchers 26
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- Tags
- pavel nikitin santa maria
Yup, I've watched them a few times, seems to take me hours to do build steps he does in a twenty minute video.
Yup, I've watched them a few times, seems to take me hours to do build steps he does in a twenty minute video.
Jan - You may already be aware of these, but there are also some YouTube videos documenting their Santa Maria builds that assisted me in a few areas. And, yes, they ran across multiple concerns during their respective builds, as well. But all turned out well in the end.
Man-O-Man ….. that was a long time ago that I visited your log, Jan. You have neatly resolved 'a few minor issues'. And what a progress with your nice model. My chair is set again.
Regards, Peter
Regards, Peter
Hi Peter,
Thanks for checking in, good to have you watching my progress.
The Crows Nest fix:
I posted photos earlier of the Crows Nest top rail parts being a miss match. I’ve been imagineerig a fix. My first thought was make a copy of one of the good parts and mill out the slots.
BUT, I lack the skills and tools to do that. So I went to plan B.
I used a .5mm bitt to drill out the slots and cleaned them up with a small file.
I then glued the three segments together.
I then assembled all the parts and filled in the holes.
It passes the four foot rule and I’m happy with the outcome.
I posted photos earlier of the Crows Nest top rail parts being a miss match. I’ve been imagineerig a fix. My first thought was make a copy of one of the good parts and mill out the slots.
BUT, I lack the skills and tools to do that. So I went to plan B.
I used a .5mm bitt to drill out the slots and cleaned them up with a small file.
I then glued the three segments together.
I then assembled all the parts and filled in the holes.
It passes the four foot rule and I’m happy with the outcome.
Last edited:
Nice recovery, Jan!
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2026
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- 58
This is a very rare and exciting Build. Even more rare is the fact that it is done in the scale of 1/48th, which turns the model into something that can be held and admired easily. These Pavel Nikitin kits are usually very good and it is okay to have to go through a few mistakes. I am sure your comments will be taken into account and the next generation of this kit will have some corrections applied.
A legendary vessel finally replicated in the 1/48th scale.
Yves
A legendary vessel finally replicated in the 1/48th scale.
Yves
Thanks, those videos show quite a few of the minor errors that I've managed to work around. Hopefully future SM builders will find and watch them before they start those build steps.
Hi Yves,
Great to have you peruse my build log. Given the number of flats that make up this kit I'm not surprised if and when I find a part error, when I do I sent an e-mail to Pavel's shop identifying the part.
I'm actually still working on this build when I have the energy. I've had some medical issues the last couple of weeks. Between X-rays, CT scans, ear/nose infections, doctors visits and a good bout of seasonal allergy reaction I managed to sign on a few times to check different posts but not posted any work.
A little bit of progress:
The beams dry fit. The plans call for 6 X 6 mm beams. There was no material in the kit so I used some 1/4 X 1/4 X 24 inch Mahogany that I had left over from another build. A little bit of sanding was need until I had good fit.
A little bit of progress:
The beams dry fit. The plans call for 6 X 6 mm beams. There was no material in the kit so I used some 1/4 X 1/4 X 24 inch Mahogany that I had left over from another build. A little bit of sanding was need until I had good fit.
Good afternoon Jan. I’m very happy to see you are still playing in the shipyard. Get better soon- I hope all the scans etc come out all good. 
. Cheers Grant
. Cheers Grant
Hi Grant,Get better soon- I hope all the scans etc come out all good.
I should have taken kit pieces to work on while I sat in the doctors waiting rooms.
Little bit of work on the hull this morning. Covered myslf up with mask, apron and gloves and applied a third coat of Oak stain.
I've wiped off the excess stain and will let it dry for a couple of days and then I will lightly sand the hull with 400 grit sandpaper.
I've wiped off the excess stain and will let it dry for a couple of days and then I will lightly sand the hull with 400 grit sandpaper.
This came out nice, Jan. Feels very authentic.