A year or so ago, I had read that Zvezda had issued a 1/350 model of the "Santa Maria". Based upon my experience with some of their ship models, I expected this to be based on another kit. The box art was deceptive as well. A couple of weeks back, though, I discovered that the model was based upon studies done by Jose Luis Rubio Serrano in his 1991 book "Arquitectura de las Naos y Galeones de las Flotas de Indias". With that information in hand, and with access to that chapter of his book, I decided to acquire the model. As a kit, it is fairly nice for its size, which is less than 3" (75mm) in length. It can be built either full hull or waterline, and is actually a part of a new collection of small scale sailing ships from Zvezda (they are part of a wargame they are marketing).
Be that as it may, I decided to approach this model as I would any other miniature, and that is with full respect. This is my Picasa album of the building, with captions for each step.
"Building the 1/350 Zvezda "Santa Maria"
"I have loved the stars too dearly to be fearful of the night..."