'Other' Constructional and Allied Systems Info & Downloads
Mladost(1)
Mladost(2)
Musala
Mekhanichen Konstruktor
Elektromekhanichen Konstruktor
Mladost is the western alphabet form of 'Младост' which means 'Youth' in Bulgarian. This is a metric Meccano-like system, with many parts similar to Merkur. It was made in Bulgaria by Vasil Petleshkov, Bratsigovo, Bulgaria, from at least the the 1970s to the 1990s. The system appears to be known under a number of different names.
The majority of the sets and/or instructions have a stylised 'Младост' (Mladost) logo on them. There are two versions of this logo. They do look quite different, but in fact they consist of the same Cryllic letters. The cursive (handwritten) forms of some Bulgarian Cryllic letters can be totally different to the standard printed versions. E.g. the cursive (handwritten) version of the printed Bugarian Cryllic 'т' is very similar to the English language letter 'm'. Think that the first logo was used in the 1970s to early 1980s and the second one in the 1980s into the 1990s.
Musala (Мусала in bulgarian) was a range of 'Mladost' sets from the late 1970s into the 1980s that appear to be a close copy of some Merkur sets. Note that 'Musala' means 'near God' or 'place of prayer' and is the name of the highest mountain in Bulgaria.
Mekhanichen Konstruktor (Механичен конструктор in Bulgarian). Some 'Mladost' sets have been called this because they have have 'Механичен конструктор' beside the name of the set.
Elektromekhanichen Konstruktor (Електромеханичен конструктор in Bulgarian). Some 'Mladost' sets have been called this because they have have 'Електромеханичен конструктор' beside the name of the set.
Note - See 'Rodopi' for a system very similar to Trix made by the same manufacturer.
Manufacturer / Distributor
Fabrika Vasil Petleshkov, Bratsigovo, Bulgaria
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MLADOST[1] (Ref:MOA1)
V. Petleshkov
Hole pitch <12.7mm
Bulgaria
known in 1989 to 1990s
M4; M3 (see comment *1)
----
32 (see comment *2)
71 (see comment *3)
10.0
4.3 (see comment *4)
3.6 (see comment *5)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: pan (slotted)
Steel with a Brass finish
(see comment *6)
7.0(see comment *7)
7.0(see comment *8)
Comments
Wrongly MOADOST in MCS. Parts for theme sets/models, first thought like MERKUR.. *1 A few M3 N&B. *2 Mod .8. *3 At least. *4 Some ≈4.8. *5& 3.5, later? *6 8mm Bolt: FW. M3: Nickel plated steel. *7*8 M3: 5.0.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
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The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for MLADOST[1] do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Manufacturer / Distributor
Fabrika Vasil Petleshkov, Bratsigovo, Bulgaria
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MLADOST[2] (Ref:MOA2)
Very like Meccano
Bulgaria
Nuts:
Bolts:
`
Comments
Diff looking set, parts to MOA1. Lid with multi-colour drawn models, Strips in Set bright, Plates blue. Manual cover with blue/white Racer in orange circle. Set name on lid & cover may mean Do-It-Yourself.
NOTE - The 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages displayed further up this web page, may also include information on this system/era.
Manufacturer / Distributor
Fabrika Vasil Petleshkov, Bratsigovo, Bulgaria
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for MUSALA (MUSZALA in MCS/NZ) (Ref:MUS)
V. Petleshkov
MERKUR type
Bulgaria
1977 to 1980s
Steel
M4
single-tapped
M3
--
38
10.0
4.1
4.1 (see comment *1)
3.4 (see comment *2)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: round (slotted)
Steel with a Nickel plated finish
6.9
6.7
Comments
Parts similar to MERKUR [1] except 38 & 62mm Pulleys. But Ni, olive finish (Angle Girder red-orange in one set). *1 Some 3.9-4.2. *2 Also 3.5.
The MCS document for this system is shown below. It can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the MCS document does not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for MUSALA (MUSZALA in MCS/NZ) do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Manufacturer / Distributor
An unknown company from
Info from the Metal Constructional Systems Database for ELEKTROMEKHANICHEN KONSTRUKTOR (Ref:E K)
V. Petleshkov
as EITECH/CONSTRUCTION
Bulgaria
known in 1986 (some significant doubt)
Steel / Plastic
M4
single-tapped
M3
--
45 (see comment *1)
10.0
4.4 (mean)
4.0 (see comment *2)
4.0 (see comment *3)
Nuts: hexagonal
Bolts: pan (slotted)
(see comment *4)
Steel with a Nickel plated finish
6.9
6.8
Comments
4 sets to make Helicopter, Biplane, Windmill, Robot. *1 In Helicopter set. *2*3 Also 3.5mm.*4 hex nut and slotted cheesehead bolt in Robot set.
Pages from the 'Other Systems Newsletter' which contain information on this system are shown below. They can also be downloaded to your computer if desired here
NOTE : If the 'Other Systems Newsletter' pages for ELEKTROMEKHANICHEN KONSTRUKTOR do not appear in the window below, then refresh the page.
The report can be zoomed into, made full screen or downloaded as a pdf document by using the controls provided
Below there are manuals/leaflets which can be downloaded by clicking on the appropriate image.
A photo of a Mladost Auto Konstruktor set
(Added 121/07/2021)
Photos of a Mladost Starship set. This is described as a 'Mechanical constructor with inertial mechanism'
(Added 21/07/2021)
Photos of a Mladost Mechanic 2 set
(Added 121/07/2021)