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HMS Surprise 1:48th scale by Artesania Latina

FreebirdChris

FreebirdChris

Joined
Dec 3, 2025
Messages
12
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48

While finishing the last books by Patrick O'Brian in his series about Aubrey and Maturin, I noticed a posting by artesania latina about their 1:48 scale model of the Surprise, including some nice characters. I decided to have a go at it. I have some previous experience building wooden kit boats, but most of the time it takes years to finish one so we will see where we get with this one.

IMG_0311.JPG

IMG_0312.JPG
The first thing i needed to do is to prepare the space where i will be able to make the model. I will probably use my guarden house but i am not sure if it won't be to humid during the winter days.
 
First part was having a look at the content of the box, seems to be quite impressiveIMG_0305.JPG
The package included some nice gifts and a 10% reduction for my next purchase from the people at artesania (I ordered directly on the company website in Spain, the package arrived in less than 10 days)
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Model is in excellent scale, but details shown in AL videos is very poor, failing to showcase potential of 1/48 scale. Rigging is typical of book work, universal, and could be improved.
Think about how to complement this model, it will be excellent.
If you do it as the instructions say, well, you wasted potential of scale and representing majestic rigging of a "frigate" type.

Best regards.
 
kuba91nt said:
Model is in excellent scale, but details shown in AL videos is very poor, failing to showcase potential of 1/48 scale. Rigging is typical of book work, universal, and could be improved.
Think about how to complement this model, it will be excellent.
If you do it as the instructions say, well, you wasted potential of scale and representing majestic rigging of a "frigate" type.

Best regards.
Click to expand...
Agree on the videos Kuba, the way the make the ship, especially the planking of the hull is pure horror - I am planning to do my own mods (if i am proficient enough) based on my library of books from ancre and various books about rigging and improving wooden ships. I even opened a bottle of red wine today in order to have the lead around the top to make the lead apertures for water scuppers, the waterway on the inner side also will need to be added.;)
 
FreebirdChris said:
Agree on the videos Kuba, the way the make the ship, especially the planking of the hull is pure horror - I am planning to do my own mods (if i am proficient enough) based on my library of books from ancre and various books about rigging and improving wooden ships. I even opened a bottle of red wine today in order to have the lead around the top to make the lead apertures for water scuppers, the waterway on the inner side also will need to be added.;)
Click to expand...
What do you think about these laser-cut sails?
They're not even sewn with thread, they're just burned in.
 
The sails will be far away in the future, if they are they will probably need stitching over the burned sewing marks (if the material itself is ok). For now i am checking the fit of the deck as provided.
 
Good morning Chris, You have started a very beautiful project. I look forward to following along.
It is true that the Artesania kits lack quite a few details, but certainly at this scale, they form a very good basis for adding details yourself.

Have fun and good luck!
 
kuba91nt said:
What do you think about these laser-cut sails?
They're not even sewn with thread, they're just burned in.
Click to expand...
Careful with sewing,if you can avoid, do so. Sewing using makes sales way out of scale. I suggest tossing them in a spares box and getting some silkspan. This is a large and expensive project, give it some love to make the most out of it.
 
Congratulations, Chris
I will be happy to watch your build. I am new to ship modeling myself, although I have over 35 years of experience in building aircraft and armored vehicles models....
I really like sailboats in the 48th scale and am currently building the sailboat HMS Pegasus. I will be happy to pick up your skills and secrets in ship modeling...
 
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FreebirdChris said:
While finishing the last books by Patrick O'Brian in his series about Aubrey and Maturin, I noticed a posting by artesania latina about their 1:48 scale model of the Surprise, including some nice characters. I decided to have a go at it. I have some previous experience building wooden kit boats, but most of the time it takes years to finish one so we will see where we get with this one.

View attachment 589964

View attachment 589965
The first thing i needed to do is to prepare the space where i will be able to make the model. I will probably use my guarden house but i am not sure if it won't be to humid during the winter days.
Click to expand...
I will be very keen to see how you get on with this build. I'm not a fan of AL but this is one of their "Elite" models and should be of much higher quality. It will be interesting to see how it compares to some of the other higher end offerings like ZHL.
 
mberg said:
Careful with sewing,if you can avoid, do so. Sewing using makes sales way out of scale. I suggest tossing them in a spares box and getting some silkspan. This is a large and expensive project, give it some love to make the most out of it.
Click to expand...
I agree with you completely. This model can be modified in a way that makes it indistinguishable from a kit or handmade. It just takes a little dedication, 1/48 scale offers many possibilities.
 
FreebirdChris said:
While finishing the last books by Patrick O'Brian in his series about Aubrey and Maturin, I noticed a posting by artesania latina about their 1:48 scale model of the Surprise, including some nice characters. I decided to have a go at it. I have some previous experience building wooden kit boats, but most of the time it takes years to finish one so we will see where we get with this one.

View attachment 589964

View attachment 589965
The first thing i needed to do is to prepare the space where i will be able to make the model. I will probably use my guarden house but i am not sure if it won't be to humid during the winter days.
Click to expand...
Wow - just finished watching the kit videos - what a fantastic and lovely kit it is. Have fun.

For me - well this would be enough work to keep me busy until my 2nd retirement - yup.
 
kuba91nt said:
Model is in excellent scale, but details shown in AL videos is very poor, failing to showcase potential of 1/48 scale. Rigging is typical of book work, universal, and could be improved.
Think about how to complement this model, it will be excellent.
If you do it as the instructions say, well, you wasted potential of scale and representing majestic rigging of a "frigate" type.

Bes
FreebirdChris said:
While finishing the last books by Patrick O'Brian in his series about Aubrey and Maturin, I noticed a posting by artesania latina about their 1:48 scale model of the Surprise, including some nice characters. I decided to have a go at it. I have some previous experience building wooden kit boats, but most of the time it takes years to finish one so we will see where we get with this one.

View attachment 589964

View attachment 589965
The first thing i needed to do is to prepare the space where i will be able to make the model. I will probably use my guarden house but i am not sure if it won't be to humid during the winter days.
Click to expand...
I
Click to expand...
If you compare the side gallery roofs with a free download from the NMM draft, AL haven't got the shape correct, it's too 'domed'. Also the scalloped roof covering is too heavy. I would have to bash these, they are too obvious to the eye. Without the roof covering the shape might look a bit nearer to how it should be? I'd like to hear your conclusion on this when it comes to that part of the build.
Chris Watton got it right (of course) The Chinese kits have done pretty well. Why can't AL get it accurate? At over a thousand pounds I'd expect perfection.
hms-surprise-1-48-artesania-latina.webp
 
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