Maly Vostok

[Diderick A. den Bakker]

Maly published this model in 1962. Probably pure fantasy - it doesn't look like any Vostok I found on Google Images. Any information would be welcome.

Second question: has anyone actually built this? A picture of the inward-curved part in the fuselage would be helpful. Or can someone translate that part of the instructions for me?

[Butelczynski]

Not exact,word for word but it should be sufficient:

Roll and glue part 3,roll and glue part 3f with print inside,glue part 3e on card (for stiffness) and fit it into 3f up to the line with window towards curved edge.Assembled 3f/3e fit into opening on side of part 3-window should face toward rear of the rocket.Tabs hold 3f/3e in place when glue is setting.

I think part 3c should be doubled and used just under 3f/3e window to hold rocket body circular but that's just my idea.Nothe that rocket body parts 3 and 4 (under it) have different diameters-lower body is a bit smaller.

I think this rocket is based on some proposals (drawings) made in late 50s but never pursued.They likely made their way into press much like in the US.MM has a kit of Wernher von Braun space rocket as well-Dec 1958 issue.

I hope that helps.

btw-You gonna make me build it just for kicks...lol

[Paper Kosmonaut]

Hi Diderick,
There is an actual history connected to this model. When in 1961 the Tushino Air show was organised, the Soviets couldn't resist to tease the western journalsits with a glimpse of their super rocket that put a man in space. They wouldn't show the actual spacecraft, of course, but what they did was flying a helicopter (a Mil Mi-9, the largest helicopter in the world at the time) with just the fairing and partially hidden 2nd stage of the Vostok with a delusive aerodynamic ring at the back, which also kept the whole construction nicely and forwardly oriented. No one actually really knew how the Vostok reallly looked apart from those involved in the project. Sven Grahn describes it here in more detail with actual photos.

As for how the opening in the fairing looks, you can download and check Leo Cherkashyn's Vostok model. It shows very well how it's done. With a little scratch building one could create the misleading version very well.

[Diderick A. den Bakker]

Thank you both for your immediate, interesting and useful comments! That is what the forum is for!

[Butelczynski]

Paper Kosmonaut-thank you for link.This is excellent model of both Vostok capsule and rocket carrying it. It looks like the window did point forward unlike in MM model where it's open towards rear.I'm sure author of that model didn't work from detailed drawings but rather from pictures of that prop under MI-6 heli with healthy dose of his own imagination.

Many of old MM models are done this way,some of those I did required good imagination to assemble since plans,model and instruction often showed 3 different things.Hey,that's what those models were for.

I hope Diderick will post pictures of finished model.Good luck.

[Paper Kosmonaut]

I made this one in 2011. Scale 1/144. The misleading Vostok is made from Leo Cherkashyn's Vostok model (which I resized, recoloured and also gave some fitting lettering) and the Mil Mi-6 is from Shining Forest, which I got from Ecardmodels. The rotors all can spin.

[Amccombs3]

A while back, I bought most of the Maly CD’s of their early years models (I was trying to assuage my conscience, a long story I’ll omit here), and I’m sure I have that model on there. I never gave that one the slightest thought until now, but now I’m tempted since it’s so — odd. Just what I need, another project.