Photos by the author

Romantic Castle, drawn by Richard Vyskovsky, is yet another great Erkotyp kit. It is presented in the usual booklet format, 240mm x 330mm. It contains 10 densely packed paper sheets, with 432 parts (yes, I counted them before starting...). The covers, apart from pictures of the completed model, includes the very clear and colour-coded diagrams in typical Erkotyp format.

There are some instructions printed in thinner paper, as well as a base for the upper part of the model. I found that the base was not needed and, probably, is better left apart. That�s because it would make the model too rigid too early, complicating the joining of smaller assemblies. About the instructions, well, if you read my past reviews, you already know that I understand Czech and German as well as pre-dynastic Egyptian hieroglyphs. If you aren't in the same group as me don�t worry: the diagrams are enough!

The model is somewhat different from other Erkotyp kits I built before � see Pictures 1 and 2.

Picture 1 � Overall view, from behind

Picture 2 � Overall front view The difference is in the comparatively big number of assemblies, no less than 16. On the other hand they are not very large. This means that you see results quicker, and that is not bad. Visible in Picture 2 is the small moveable bridge that leads to the entrance - Picture 3. On picture 2 it is halfway up and it can be completely closed.

Picture 3 � The entrance. Bridge in open position. Inside there is a lot of detail, in the many buildings, towers and walls that go from one to the others. I took advantage of this to present some more detail pictures � 4 to 9.

Picture 4 � Towers and walls.

Picture 5 � The same, viewed from above.

Picture 6 � A bit more to the interior.

Picture 7 � And more of the same.

Picture 8 � A bit more.

Picture 9 � And still more. Look at the small stairway. The last part to make is the base. It includes an island, yet another bridge (fixed, for a change), the ramp to get in and the rocky foundations of the castle. These ones surround the castle and are made of about two dozen parts. They are very well designed, as the fit is pretty good, despite the complex shape. The only trouble I had is to the left of the slim tower in Picture 4, but it was a minor one and is almost hidden. You have to look very carefully to notice a gap just left of the tower. It is also visible in Picture 11.

I usually half-cut the paper, in order to bend it properly, and paint the edge. In the base I avoided using the same method. The edges are not as sharp but this is not a problem here and the look is better. The scale of the kit is given as 1/150. This would suggest that there is a real thing but, as there are no pictures of that (unlike in the other Erkotyp kits) I get a strong feeling that it exists only in Richard Vyskovsky�s fertile imagination. Correct me if I am wrong�

I decided to add a heavy card base to the model but choose to put some holes because it is always funny to look from below � Picture 10.

Picture 10 � The catacombs!

The kit is a very good one and I would definitely recommend it to anyone with some card experience and a lot of patience. Let me finish with two (hypothetical) visitor�s views - Pictures 11 and 12:

Picture 11

Picture 12