The Askold, Cruiser 1st Rank, was a protected cruiser built by Krupp, Germania for the Imperial Russian Navy. Laid down in August 1898 and completed in 1901, Askold was assigned to the First Pacific Squadron, based at Port Arthur. During the Squadron's break-out attempt of August 10, 1904, known as the Battle of the Yellow Sea, succeeded with most of the Russian cruisers in breaking through the Japanese blockading forces. She made a neutral port and was interned. With a maximum speed of 23.8 knots, Askold was one of the fastest large Russian cruisers of the period. She later served in the Mediterranean and White Sea. Seized by the British in August 1918 during the Intervention Period of the Russian Civil War, Askold was renamed Glory IV. She was scrapped in 1921.

The five tall and thin stacks the Askold presented a very distinctive silhouette. The ship has been a favorite among resin ship manufacturers in 1:700 scale. Combrig, White Ensign Models and WSW have all produced models of Askold in this scale. Now Combrig has produced one in 1:350 scale.

At almost 15 inches in length, the kit is superb. The hull is divided at the waterline and can be assembled full hull or waterline. The resin casting of this kit is extraordinarily fine. To get an idea of the extremely high quality of the resin casting, one need only look at the 6 inch (152mm) gun detail or the depth to which the main ventilator cowlings are hollowed. The Combrig 1:350 scale Askold is one of the best kits in that scale that I have seen this year, if not The Best.

Hull Casting

Assembly Started

Smaller Resin Parts

Armament

Ship's Boats

Two Photo-Etched Frets

Box Art & Instructions

Assembled 1:700 Scale Askold, Photographs from Combrig The 1:350 Scale Askold is twice as long and wide, with eight times the volume when built waterline, even more when built Full Hull.

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