YUANQING MODELS 1:50 Scale SAN Felipe Build Log.

[Phillipsart]

First mast complete – the bowsprit is now finished.

A really satisfying milestone on the 1:50 scale San Felipe build. The bowsprit assembly is now complete, and this area truly sets the character of the ship. It’s one of those sections that draws the eye immediately, so I’ve taken my time to make sure it looks used, functional, and believable rather than factory-perfect.

The rigging around the bowsprit was deliberately kept slightly irregular. On working ships of this era, nothing was ever perfectly symmetrical or pristine—ropes stretched, were re-served, re-tied, and repaired constantly. I wanted that sense of life and history to come through, even at this scale.

The decorative work around the bow is now fully in place as well. The gilded carvings and head detail add that unmistakable Spanish presence, contrasting beautifully against the timber tones and the blue of the upper works. I’m particularly happy with how the gold has been finished—not flat or shiny, but with depth and variation so it catches the light naturally.

The bowsprit platform and fittings were built up carefully, test-fitted multiple times, and adjusted until everything sat naturally. Nothing here is forced into position; it all needed to look like it belongs structurally and visually. The small details—lashings, platform planking, mast alignment—really make this section come alive.

Seeing the flag in place at the front is a great motivator too. Even though it’s a small element, it instantly adds scale and presence and gives a glimpse of what the ship will look like once fully rigged and under sail.

This is a big step forward for the build. From here, things really start to climb—literally—as I move further into the masts and rigging. Plenty more detail work ahead, but for now, I’m very happy with how the bowsprit has turned out.

 

[Phillipsart]

Bowsprit Rigging Underway ️

Work has now shifted to the bowsprit, and I’ve officially started the rigging phase on the San Felipe. This is one of those areas that looks deceptively simple, but in reality it’s a maze of small details, tight spacing, and repetitive work that really tests patience.



I’ve begun fitting the lashings, blocks, and seizings along the bowsprit, taking my time to keep everything looking functional rather than “model-perfect.” At this scale, the goal for me is realism — these were hard-working ships, and the rigging was practical, worn, and often a little rough around the edges. I’m deliberately avoiding anything that looks too neat or factory-made.



The small blocks have all been stropped and seized by hand, and the rigging lines carefully tensioned so they sit naturally against the spar. Each wrap, knot, and seizing is done individually, and while progress is slow, the overall effect really brings the bowsprit to life. Once the rigging starts to build up, you can really see how busy and purposeful this area of the ship was.



Very happy with how this is shaping up so far. Still plenty more to go, but it’s great to finally see the rigging beginning to define the character of the bow.



More updates soon as I continue working my way forward.