Kon-Tiki ship model kit **

Kon-Tiki

• Dimensions: 59 cm (length)
• Scale: 1:8
• Materials: wood, metal, rope
• Difficulty:**
  If you have already built a few models and are looking for a new challenge, this kit offers an opportunity to develop your ship modelling skills. The materials used in this wooden model largely match those of the original ship. The parts are assembled using glue and nails.

  The enclosed plans guide you through construction step by step in English and Italian.

  Laser-cut parts ensure accurate dimensions.

  Paint, glue and tools are not included.

• Ship history:
  Intrigued by Polynesian folklore, biologist Thor Heyerdahl suspected that the South Sea islands had been settled by an ancient race from South America. According to legend, this migration was led by the mythical hero, Kon-Tiki.
  Heyerdahl’s theory was met by a storm of protest, since it was widely believed that the islands had been populated from Indonesia. One of the arguments was the lack of evidence that the Pre-Colombian Indians of South America had sea-going vessels capable of crossing the enormous expanse of ocean between their continent and Polynesia.
  Heyerdahl decided to prove his theory by duplicating the legendary voyage. He built a replica of an Indian balsa wood raft and set sail from Peru on April 28, 1947 with five other adventurers. After three months on the open sea, encountering raging storms, whales and sharks, they sighted land – the Polynesian island of Puka Puka.
  The Mantua kit is built using balsa logs tied with rope to form a water-tight platform. The top of the platform, which serves as the deck, is finished with woven balsa strips. A deck-house, built of basswood strips and covered with Laser-cut wooden pieces to simulate a thatched roof, protects the crew from the elements. The kit also includes canvas window flaps and sail material, plus a template for the painted sail decoration. Full building plans and detailed construction manual ensure a fascinating historically accurate model.