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Kit Review Royal Navy Pinnace of the late 18th century, Scale 1:48, made by Modelship Dockyard

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Royal Navy Pinnace of the late 18th century, Scale 1:48, made by Modelship Dockyard

[Image: 12ee31cd62ac312fb6281278575e.jpg]


Company: Modelship Dockyard
Kit No: -
Retail Price: $59,00

Available here: https://drydockmodelsandparts.com/c...8-royal-navy-pinnace-of-the-late-18th-century


Description

For ship modeling enthusiasts, capturing the authentic essence of the Age of Sail often lies in the smallest details—specifically, the ship’s boats that crowded the decks of historic warships. In the late 18th century, the 28-foot Royal Navy pinnace was the ultimate fleet workhorse, balancing elegant lines with rugged utility to ferry officers, scout shallow waters, and haul vital provisions. Replicating this iconic utility craft in miniature offers a unique and highly rewarding challenge.


Technical data
  • Scale: 1:48
  • Size: 183 x 45 x 37 mm
  • Level: Intermediate to Advanced


Kit content
  • 3 x Pearwood Veneer Sheets for Planks and else
  • 2 x Pearwood Sheets for Keel and Frames
  • 3 x Plywood Sheets for the Jig
  • 1 x Small Photo Etch Sheet
  • 1 x Brass Wire
  • 1 x Instruction Manual in English



All parts of the kit are stored safely and tidily in the box.

[Image: aa34f460035bc974f47bd449cca4.jpg]



The Pearwood Sheets for Keel and Frames

[Image: 884d0546eaf4581c504828d9ebde.jpg]

[Image: a5c2e2955deb9765319dae8b5741.jpg]



Pearwood Veneer Sheets for Planks and else

[Image: f5ae45f2a538a1a478bb766a6c10.jpg]

[Image: 3b266e2a9e2409fb5da4ef10a643.jpg]



Plywood Sheets for the Jig

[Image: 2d5197e08019221ac081fcf65b06.jpg]



Photo Etch and brass wire

[Image: 42f01ab4bc34ec4c0eac84ef7066.jpg]


The Instructions


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Conclusion

The 28-foot Royal Navy Pinnace from Modelship Dockyard is a nice little project for anyone looking to build a smaller ship’s boat in 1:48 scale. The kit uses pearwood for the main wooden components, and the combination of pearwood, photo-etched parts, and brass wire provides a good basis for a detailed model.

The construction appears to be fairly straightforward, although the kit is certainly better suited to modellers with some experience. The instructions are well presented and should provide a good foundation for the build.

There are, however, a few shortcomings. The kit does not include oars, in my understanding the knees for the rowing benches are missing same for the lying knees at the rear rowing bench in the stern of the boat. Some additional accessories, such as a water cask, bailer, buckets, anchor, or boat hooks, would also have been a welcome addition and would make it possible to give the finished boat a more authentic appearance.

Overall, this is an attractive and reasonably priced small-scale project. With some additional scratch-built details and accessories, the model could be turned into a very convincing representation of a late 18th-century Royal Navy pinnace.


Pro
  • Pear Wood
  • Small Project
  • Scale 1:48
  • Photo Etch sheet
  • Instructions looking good

Contra
  • No Oars
  • Knees for the benches are missing
  • Could have some accessories, such as a water cask, bailer, Buckets, anchor, boat hooks.




[Image: 0636909ecdb94eb3acf9be37561e.jpg]
 
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