MARCH MADNESS SALE
MARMARA
The Marmara is a model of an Ottoman coastal trade ship that conducted marine trade and fishing in the waters of the Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles Strait, and Bosphorus Strait in the 16th-19th centuries. These craft had a rig consisting of square sails, Bentinck (triangular) sails and a sprit sail and were typically 15m to 20m in length. The ends alone were decked; the open cargo hold was protected by canvas. The sides were decorated with moldings and arabesque carvings, and a large, curved rudder with its ornately decorated tiller probably required the crew to assist the skipper to steer in a stiff breeze. The skipper wearing a fine Turkish costume of long ago added to the visual impact of these picturesque boats. The seams of the canvas, wider at the bottom than the top, gave the sprit sail a rounded balloon shape, more elegant in design than efficient for sailing against the wind.
This very attractive Marmara kit is based on a 15m ship and has a combination of plank-on-frame construction for the open cargo section, with bulkheads providing internal structure in the decked-over ends. The plank-on-frame construction simulates the ship’s ribs that would be exposed in the cargo hold, making the model very realistic.
Almost all wood parts are laser-cut in cherry, basswood and plywood. The fittings are beautifully made, with blocks and deadeyes perfectly shaped and drilled. Fittings include photoetch brass and other metal shapes, resin parts, spars, rigging thread and all pieces required to fully rig the ship, including sailcloth. A special feature is a set of precision-made 3D wood carvings for the hull decorations. Hull construction utilizes a laser-cut building berth to assure precise alignment of parts. Instructions include photos, drawings and English text, along with two full-size plan sheets.
The kit is a deluxe version that includes laser-cut wood staves and other parts for making two cargo barrels, along with photoetched brass for the hoops. Also included is a set of laser-cut wood for making perfect wooden crates. A laser-cut display stand is included.
