[Kevin WS]

Marco, I think your idea that the mast at the front is to give the receivers/aerials on the top sufficient space to have a clear field and operate without interference is correct.

The purpose of the ship was to track (officially) Russsian space missions. But of course, it was a tactically a mobile installation and would also have been capable of tracking any missile launches from anyone!

There is a current vessel performing the same role, with another one under construction.

The current vessel is shown in Photo 1 - not as impressive as the one you are modeling.

I thought you may like the remaining photos of the ship you are modeling (if you have not seen them before).