„Mirnyj“ – the Russian sloop

Sloop "Mirnyj" is a three-masted military sailship. Built at the Olonets shipyard near St. Petersburg in 1818. Together with "Vostok" participated in the 1st Russian Antarctic expedition around the world in 1819-1821 under the leadership of F.F. Belinshausen. In 1820 January 15 "Vostok" and "Mirnyj", breaking through the heavy ice at 69°25' south latitude, found themselves at the edge of the Southern Unknown Land and thus became the discoverers of Antarctica. In 1821 July 23 the sloops "Vostok" and "Mirnyj" returned from the expedition and anchored in the Kronstadt raid. The expedition lasted 751 days, sailors and scientists spent 100 days among the ice and icebergs. In addition to Antarctica, the expedition discovered 29 islands, along the way collected the richest material for the study of the southern polar seas.

Such a small sailship model (only 18 cm long at the waterline) and a lot to work with. Most parts are serial and miniature. Also drawings. Small rigging diagrams are not very readable and look like a drunken spider's web. Of course, such a model should be printed in the "hundredth" scale, 1: 200 is clearly too small a scale. Although the print is excellent, accurate, the colors are discreet and beautiful. Recommended for intermediate and advanced naval enthusiasts. Sails, some details and flags are printed with double-sided printing, there are details, printed with "metallic" type bronze paint. The model is intended for intermediate and experienced modelers, but it will not be an easy job for them either.