Mantua Sergal Sovereign of the Seas build log

[Phillipsart]

Back at the Sovereign of the Seas

Today I picked back up on my Mantua Sergal Sovereign of the Seas 1:78 scale model ship, and I’m really pleased with how things are taking shape.

One of the main achievements today was completing the balustrade work on the stern, which adds a real sense of grandeur to the ship’s rear galleries. The Sovereign of the Seas was known for her incredible detail and extravagant decoration, and these balustrades really capture that opulence.

I also pressed on with adding more of the brass fittings and ornamental details along the hull and stern. Each piece has to be carefully placed and aligned to bring out the symmetry and richness of the design. Slowly but surely, the golden embellishments are transforming the black and natural timber structure into something that really echoes the majesty of the original 1637 warship.

The contrast between the dark hull, rich wood tones, red gunport linings, and gold detailing is starting to come alive now. Every new fitting seems to elevate the overall look, and it’s exciting to see the ship becoming more ornate with each session.

This stage is all about patience and precision—but when you step back and see the progress, it’s incredibly rewarding.

Plenty more fittings and decorative work still ahead, but the Sovereign is steadily turning into a centerpiece model full of history and detail.

 

[Phillipsart]

Sovereign of the Seas – Build Update

Today I’ve made some exciting progress on my Mantua Sergal Sovereign of the Seas 1:78 scale model!

Cannon Construction
I started assembling and painting the ship’s ornate cannons. Each one is built from multiple tiny wooden and brass parts before being carefully painted and mounted. The barrels themselves are richly detailed, capturing the grandeur of 17th-century naval artillery. The carriages are painted in a bold red, which really makes the gold detailing on the cannons pop. These will eventually be rigged with miniature blocks and tackle, just like the real thing, so they could be hauled into position on deck.

Gold Ornamentation
I also added more of the lavish golden decorations to the stern. The Sovereign of the Seas was one of the most extravagantly decorated ships ever built, and every little flourish of detail on this model brings that legacy to life. From the sculpted figures to the ornate lattice lanterns, each piece tells the story of the ship’s majestic and intimidating presence on the seas.

Why This Matters
The cannons and gilded decorations are iconic elements of the Sovereign of the Seas. They don’t just add to the ship’s beauty—they represent its power and prestige in the era of King Charles I. With each completed section, the ship becomes more than a model; it becomes a window into maritime history.

Sharing a few pictures of the progress so far: the cannon builds in hand for scale, their placement on the deck, and the glorious stern details now gleaming in gold.

This stage is both challenging and rewarding—lots of fiddly small parts, but seeing them come together is well worth the effort. Slowly but surely, the Sovereign is taking shape!

 

[Phillipsart]

Sovereign of the Seas – Gold Ornamentation Completed!

Today was a massive step forward on my Mantua Sergal Sovereign of the Seas (1:78 scale) build. I’ve officially completed mounting all of the gold decorative ornaments across the ship’s hull and stern – and what a job it turned out to be!

Every inch of this legendary warship is now covered in that unmistakable baroque splendor she was known for, from the intricate scrollwork and crests along the gunports to the lanterns and statues that crown the stern galleries. The detail on this model is simply staggering – each little piece tells its own story, and together they capture the grandeur and intimidation the original ship was designed to project.

It wasn’t a quick job either – I went through almost a full bottle of super glue getting all these ornaments in place. And of course, true to tradition, I managed to glue my fingers together more than once along the way. A proper modeller’s badge of honor, I suppose!

Now that the decorative stage is complete, the Sovereign is really starting to come to life – she’s beginning to look less like a kit and more like the proud flagship she once was.

Next up: moving further into the fitting and detailing stages as this golden masterpiece gets closer to full glory.

Thanks for following along – can’t wait to share the next steps with you all!

 

[Phillipsart]

Shipyard Update – Sovereign of the Seas

Progress continues on my Mantua Sergal Sovereign of the Seas (1:78 scale), and today was all about adding life to the decks and starting to arm the ship.

Cannons Installed – I mounted the first run of cannons on one side of the hull. Each sits neatly in its gunport, framed with red trim, and gives a real sense of the firepower this mighty warship carried. Seeing them lined up in sequence along the side really transforms the model from just a hull into a proper man-o’-war.

Deck Fittings Taking Shape – I’ve also been working on the deck details: the capstan is now in place, along with companionway gratings, winches, and barrel fittings. Each piece adds more character and functionality to the ship, and it’s satisfying to see the bare planking now beginning to look like a working warship’s deck.

Carved Details & Ornamentation – The ornate gilded decorations continue to bring the ship alive. Against the dark timbers and red bulwarks, the gold carvings really stand out—this ship was designed to impress as much as to fight, and that’s definitely coming through in the build.

Every step adds another layer of history and detail. The Sovereign of the Seas is steadily transforming into the majestic vessel she was in the 17th century. Still plenty of cannons, fittings, and rigging to go, but the ship is definitely starting to look the part!

️ Next up: more cannon decks, finishing touches on the upper works, and then eventually the rigging.

 

[dpktraf11]

Looks awesome, I like the color contrast you picked. Very rich looking. Did you use gold paint over the metal ornamentation or use as it was out of the kit? I'm looking forward to seeing all of the cannons poking out of the gunports, purpose for such a grand and formidable warship.
I will be following you build closely so keep posting your updates. I have the same model kit and will start building it later part of next year. I have two models I'm working on now, need to finish them. Keep up the great work.
Some people do not like the Sergal and Panart Mantua kits, but I like them for the size of the ship. The larger the ship the easier it is for me to build. The metal gilded parts at times need trimming and some filing, but overall, I think they look great once installed on the model.

Keep posting your progress.

 

[Phillipsart]

Looks awesome, I like the color contrast you picked. Very rich looking. Did you use gold paint over the metal ornamentation or use as it was out of the kit? I'm looking forward to seeing all of the cannons poking out of the gunports, purpose for such a grand and formidable warship.
I will be following you build closely so keep posting your updates. I have the same model kit and will start building it later part of next year. I have two models I'm working on now, need to finish them. Keep up the great work.
Some people do not like the Sergal and Panart Mantua kits, but I like them for the size of the ship. The larger the ship the easier it is for me to build. The metal gilded parts at times need trimming and some filing, but overall, I think they look great once installed on the model.

Keep posting your progress.

The metal ornaments is how they are out of the kit, no painting.

There is no updates to the build today. Spent the day relocating to a larger room. I’ve outgrown my 3rd smaller bedroom I been using.

I have 4 ships ongoing. And about to start a 5th.

I own 2 Mantua kits, this one and the HMS Victory.

The Sovereign of the seas has excellent step by step instructions included. I have no complaints.

The Mantua HMS Victory is lacking in the instructions. But does have excellent plans.

Not sure why people don’t like the mantua kits. Probably because there not the simplest kits to build. I’m not finding them to difficult.

The Metal guilded parts in the Sovereign of the seas. I use side cutters to cut the unwanted metal parts. It’s quick. But you do need strong wrists. There was only one I had to cut with a hacksaw.

I managed to glue on a whole side within a day.

 

[Phillipsart]

Workshop Update – Expansion Time!

A little delay on the shipbuilding front – but for a good reason. Over the past 3 days I’ve been busy relocating into a much larger room in my home. The old workspace just couldn’t keep up with the scale of these projects anymore. Between HMS Victory, Sovereign of the Seas, San Felipe, and the Endeavour , I simply ran out of bench space.

The new workshop setup now gives me enough room to work on 4 ships at the same time. Each project has its own dedicated bench space, tools are organized, and the lighting is much better for those long detail sessions. This means less time shuffling things around and more time actually building.

It’s been a big job moving everything, but the payoff is huge. From here on, progress across all builds should move along much smoother and faster. I’m excited to dive back in and bring you more updates from this improved shipyard.

Stay tuned – the sails, rigging, and cannons are waiting!

 

[dakyzw]

Workshop Update – Expansion Time!

A little delay on the shipbuilding front – but for a good reason. Over the past 3 days I’ve been busy relocating into a much larger room in my home. The old workspace just couldn’t keep up with the scale of these projects anymore. Between HMS Victory, Sovereign of the Seas, San Felipe, and the Endeavour , I simply ran out of bench space.

The new workshop setup now gives me enough room to work on 4 ships at the same time. Each project has its own dedicated bench space, tools are organized, and the lighting is much better for those long detail sessions. This means less time shuffling things around and more time actually building.

It’s been a big job moving everything, but the payoff is huge. From here on, progress across all builds should move along much smoother and faster. I’m excited to dive back in and bring you more updates from this improved shipyard.

Stay tuned – the sails, rigging, and cannons are waiting!

View attachment 543052

Workshop Update – Expansion Time!

A little delay on the shipbuilding front – but for a good reason. Over the past 3 days I’ve been busy relocating into a much larger room in my home. The old workspace just couldn’t keep up with the scale of these projects anymore. Between HMS Victory, Sovereign of the Seas, San Felipe, and the Endeavour , I simply ran out of bench space.

The new workshop setup now gives me enough room to work on 4 ships at the same time. Each project has its own dedicated bench space, tools are organized, and the lighting is much better for those long detail sessions. This means less time shuffling things around and more time actually building.

It’s been a big job moving everything, but the payoff is huge. From here on, progress across all builds should move along much smoother and faster. I’m excited to dive back in and bring you more updates from this improved shipyard.

Stay tuned – the sails, rigging, and cannons are waiting!

View attachment 543052

This studio looks great.

 

[Phillipsart]

Sovereign of the Seas – Work & First Rigging!

Today was another exciting step forward in the Sovereign of the Seas build. I’ve started work on the anchors – there will be four in total once completed. Each one is built up with its wooden stock and fitted with ironwork detail, giving the ship that authentic 17th-century warship character.

With the anchors underway, I was also able to begin the first stages of rigging! This marks a big milestone in the build – the ropes and blocks bring the ship to life and start tying the whole structure together. you can already see how the rigging adds both strength and realism to the model.

The ornate golden carvings along the stern really frame the anchor rigging beautifully, making this ship look every bit as grand and imposing as her reputation in history. Seeing the black anchor and wooden stock hanging properly from the side of the hull gives a real sense of scale – as though she’s preparing to drop anchor in some distant harbor.

There’s still plenty of rigging to go, but this first taste of it has really transformed the model. From here, each rope and block will continue to add both complexity and historical accuracy to the build.

Step by step, Sovereign of the Seas is getting closer to her full glory!

 

[dpktraf11]

Everything looks great. Keep up the work. I will keep following your post and watch you progress closely. Thanks for doing this.

 

[Phillipsart]

Sovereign of the Seas – Today’s Progress Update ️

Another big step forward on the build today! I turned my attention to one of those time-consuming but very rewarding details – the cannon doors (gunport lids).

Each tiny red door had to be carefully cut, cleaned up, painted, and then hinged into place. It’s amazing how such a small detail transforms the look of the ship – the sides are now alive with open gunports, cannons peeking out ready for action. It really gives the Sovereign of the Seas her proper menacing broadside presence.

One full side is now completed, and seeing all those cannons with their freshly fitted doors lined up in order is very satisfying. The red trim against the dark wood and gold carvings really makes the whole side “pop” with that classic 17th-century warship feel.

Alongside the gunports, I also finished up the anchors today – another iconic part of the ship’s character adding to the authenticity and overall look.

Every little step adds another layer of detail, and with the gunports and anchors now complete, the Sovereign is starting to look every bit the formidable flagship she once was. Still a lot to go, but it’s really coming together piece by piece.

️ Cannons locked and loaded.
️ s completed
️ The Sovereign of the Seas is gaining her true warship spirit.

More updates soon as I press on with the next stage!

 

[Phillipsart]

Sovereign of the Seas – Starboard Side Completed! ️

Today marks a major milestone in the build – the entire starboard side is now finished, and what a transformation it has made to the ship’s presence!

Deadeyes Installed – Every deadeye on the starboard side has now been carefully fitted in place. These may look like simple round blocks, but historically they were vital for tensioning and adjusting the standing rigging that held the masts firm against the power of the wind. Lining them up evenly and securing them was no easy task, but they’re now sitting proudly, ready for when the rigging stage begins.

Cannon Doors Complete – Each gunport on the starboard side has been fitted with its hinged red-painted door, finished with the brass cannons protruding. This alone has added a huge amount of life and authenticity to the ship. The contrast between the deep black hull, bright red trim, and golden details really makes the broadside stand out. You can almost imagine the thunder of broadsides being unleashed!

Fine Detailing – From the ornate golden carvings along the stern galleries to the intricate framing around each gunport, every detail is really starting to tie together. The stern, with its grand lanterns and elaborate decoration, is now fully balanced by the completed starboard side, giving the Sovereign her unmistakable regal appearance.

Each step at this stage takes patience and precision, but seeing one full side of the ship completed is incredibly rewarding. Next up will be tackling the port side and preparing for the monumental rigging stage ahead.

This project has been a journey of craftsmanship and history – and it’s finally starting to look every bit the powerful and majestic flagship she once was.

️ The Sovereign of the Seas – one side armed, ready, and standing tall!

 

[GIG1810]

Ahoy sailor,

beautiful pictures and a great build. You said you were building 3 or 4 ships at the same time? Wow, I wouldn't know where to find the space, let alone mix up components. Really beautifully built. Respect for your achievement. Keep it up, I'll stay there and pull up my chair ...

 

[Phillipsart]

Ahoy sailor,

beautiful pictures and a great build. You said you were building 3 or 4 ships at the same time? Wow, I wouldn't know where to find the space, let alone mix up components. Really beautifully built. Respect for your achievement. Keep it up, I'll stay there and pull up my chair ...

Yeah got 3 going at the moment. About to start the 4th. At this stage. I’m concentrating on this one the Sovereign of the Seas. Till I get the main masts in. Than I will start the rigging on the Victory. Get the main rigging that holds the main masts in place, than do the same in the Sovereign of the Seas.

 

[Phillipsart]

Bowsprit & Crow’s Nest Progress – Sovereign of the Seas Build ️

Today I turned my attention to the bowsprit – the forward-jutting mast that gives the ship its striking silhouette.

I first applied a walnut stain and varnish, but after stepping back, I wasn’t happy with the look. So before it fully dried, I carefully sanded it back. Interestingly, this left just enough of the walnut stain in the natural wood grooves to highlight the grain beautifully. I then finished it with a clear satin coat, which gave it a smooth, warm finish while still showing off that subtle contrast in the grooves. Honestly, I think it came out better than I had first planned!

At the same time, I began constructing the first of the crow’s nests – the circular fighting platforms high up the mast. These were crucial vantage points for sailors back in the day, both for spotting distant sails and (in more dramatic moments) for use by musketeers in naval battles. The framework came together nicely, and seeing it mounted gives a real sense of how towering and imposing this ship will look when fully rigged.

Every little detail like this adds not only structure but also history to the build. It’s amazing how much personality these old ships gain once you start fitting the spars, nests, and rigging points.

Next steps: continue with the other mast fittings and prepare for the intricate rigging work ahead.

️ Bit by bit, the Sovereign of the Seas is coming alive!

 

[Phillipsart]

Workshop Update

Not much progress on the ships today, but I do have a big win to share!

I was given this Einhell RT-SS 120L Scroll Saw, but unfortunately, it came with a broken part that made it unusable. Instead of throwing in the towel, I decided to take on the challenge and bring it back to life.

First step was identifying the broken component – a key linkage piece that connects the motor action to the blade. With the original part snapped, the saw was out of commission.

Out came Fusion 360! I carefully measured up the damaged part, sketched it out, and created a 3D model of the replacement.

️ Then I fired up the 3D printer and produced a brand-new piece in ASA filament. ASA is tough, UV-resistant, and perfect for workshop environments – much stronger than standard PLA.

After some test fitting, fine adjustments, and assembly, the saw is now back in action. Runs smoothly and the repair is holding strong.

This scroll saw will be a fantastic addition to my shipbuilding toolkit – especially for fine and detailed cuts on timber and fittings.

Really pleased with how this little engineering side-project turned out. A broken tool turned into a fully working machine again!

‍ Another win for DIY, 3D printing, and a bit of persistence.

 

[Phillipsart]

Sovereign of the Seas – Bowsprit & Rigging Progress

Today’s focus has been on the bowsprit section of my Mantua Sergal Sovereign of the Seas build, and things are starting to look very authentic now.

I’ve mounted the platform, fitted the blocks, and begun working on the rigging in this forward area. One of the most time-consuming but rewarding parts has been starting the ratlines – those ladder-like ropes that the sailors would have used to climb aloft. Each knot has to be carefully tied and aligned, and while it takes quite a while, the end result is worth the patience. Seeing the rope ladders form gives the ship so much character and realism.

The deadeyes and blocks have also been rigged into place, and already you can see how busy this section of the ship will look once all the standing and running rigging is eventually fitted. I’ve also test-fitted the P.B. platform piece, which ties everything together structurally at the mast top.

Even though this is just one part of the overall rigging journey, the bowsprit is such a vital element because it supports the forward sails and really sets the tone for the complexity of what’s to come.

Lots more ratlines ahead (and lots more knots to tie ), but I’m very happy with how it’s shaping up. Slowly but surely, the Sovereign is coming to life!

What do you think so far? Would you have the patience to tie each of those tiny ratline knots?

 

[Phillipsart]

Back to the Sovereign of the Seas!

It’s been a little while since I’ve touched this magnificent ship — I’ve been busy wrapping up another build so I could make some room on the workbench. With three ships on the go at once, space is at a premium!

Now that the other build is nearly done (ran out of blocks right at the finish line!), it’s time to get back to this royal beauty — the Sovereign of the Seas.

Today’s focus: the bowsprit.

And I’ve got to say, I’m really happy with how it’s turning out. The finish was a bit of a happy accident — one of those unexpected moments where trial and error actually pays off.

I didn’t want the mast to be too dark since the hull already carries that rich tone. I was after a lighter, more oak-like warmth to bring balance and contrast. Historically, walnut wasn’t even used when this ship sailed the seas, so I wanted something more authentic to that era.

I started with a clear coat — too light. Then I tried a light layer of walnut stain and varnish — too dark and heavy. So, I sanded it back… and that’s when the magic happened. The sanding left a subtle walnut tone in the grain and grooves of the wood. I loved the texture and depth it created, almost like time itself had brushed over it.

To lock it in, I added a water-based clear satin coat, and suddenly the wood came to life — smooth, natural, and with just the right hint of age. It’s exactly what I had pictured from the start, even though I got there by accident!

Sometimes the best finishes aren’t planned — they just happen.

Next step: final details on the bowsprit rigging before moving further up the masts. The Sovereign is really starting to reclaim her royal presence on the bench again.