Mercury - Russian Brig - 1/100

Mercury - Russian Brig

1/100 scale plastic model assembly kit of the Russian Brig Mercury.

About the model:
- 1/100 scale plastic model assembly kit
- Highly detailed model
- Length: 56cm
- Total parts: 709
- Vacuum-formed sails
- Rigging thread included

Historical background:
The brig Mercury, armed with 20 cannons, was laid down in 1819 in Sevastopol. Designed as a specialized vessel for coastal patrol, it was built to safeguard the Caucasian coast. Notably versatile, the *Mercury* could navigate both under sail and by oar, making it a formidable presence on the sea.  

In May 1829, during the Russo-Turkish War, three Russian ships – the frigate Standard, the brig Orfey, and the Mercury – were patrolling the Bosporus when they spotted a formidable Turkish squadron of 14 ships. Recognizing the odds, the Standard and the Orfey managed to evade pursuit, but the Mercury, under the command of Lieutenant Commander A.I. Zdarsky, found itself unable to retreat and had to face the might of two of the enemy’s most powerful warships: the Selimiye with 110 cannons and the Real Bey with 74 cannons.  

What followed was a battle of David and Goliath proportions. Over the course of nearly four grueling hours, the Mercury employed every ounce of its crew's skill and ingenuity. Using its oars and deft maneuvers, the brig dodged devastating broadsides while targeting the masts and rigging of its much larger adversaries. Despite the overwhelming firepower arrayed against it, the Mercury inflicted significant damage on both Turkish ships, crippling their ability to continue the chase.  

When the smoke cleared, the Selimiye and the Real Bey were left incapacitated, and the Mercury, though battered, rejoined its fleet. The brig bore the scars of its heroic stand: 22 holes pierced its hull, and its sails and rigging were riddled with over 300 hits. Despite these damages, the Mercury emerged as a symbol of Russian naval valor.  

In recognition of their extraordinary courage, the crew of the Mercury was decorated with honors, and the brig itself was immortalized in Russian naval history as a testament to skill, bravery, and the indomitable spirit of its sailors