HMS Surprise

Product in Depth

HMS Surprise was originally built at Le Havre in 1794 as a 350-ton, 32-gun corvette, but in 1796 it was captured by the British Navy and renamed HMS Surprise. She was re-armed and classified as a sixth-rate frigate. She inspired the Aubrey-Maturin series of novels by Patrick O'Brian and featured in the 2003 film Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. Artesania Latina worked together with the National Maritime Museum of London to create this model and has the exclusive copyright worldwide.

The large scale of this model allows for highly detailed pieces, above and below deck. The hull is assembled by plank-on-frame construction. The kit includes a detailed lower deck with visible cannons and hatches.

With each pack you can download detailed step-by-step assembly guides showing you how to build your model directly from us. Along with the clearly photographed instructions, the assembly guides will explain all the modelling techniques you’ll need to achieve superb results, and include useful hints and tips to help you master the trickier skills involved.

Your Modelling Experience

Each shipment includes high-quality parts to build the HMS Surprise
Free delivery to UK and Ireland
Choose our unique pay-as-you-build model and receive your HMS Surprise model kit in 14 or 28 monthly phases. Or order all build phases of the HMS Surprise to arrive in one shipment.
Each month, your step-by-step instructions are available to download directly from us. All Full Kits are provided with CD instructions only.
No obligation - You are free to cancel at any time

Key Features of the HMS Surprise

Factory precut keel and all main frame parts.

High-quality planking mahogany, walnut and lime woods.

High-quality fittings in white metal burnished or in real die-cast brass.

Stitched sail set and rigging threads.

Pre-finished high-quality display base with name plate.

Model Detail

Made exclusively by Artesania Latina with the National Maritime Museum | Sails set full sewn | You just have to rig them at the masts.

Overall Dimensions

Length: 1334 mm (52.75") | Height: 950 mm (37.5") | Beam: 480 mm (18.5") | Scale: 1:48

Clear step-by-step instructions show how to assemble and finish the parts - every step of the way. Even if you've never tried this type of project before, you'll be able to put your HMS Surprise together in easy stages, learning the skills as you go.

Through your building experience, you will have help from our experts with the easy-to-follow step-by-step assembly guide. You can take a look also at our exclusive Forum and discuss with fellow modelers.
Even as a model-making novice, you can build the HMS Surprise together in easy stages, learning the skills as you go.

Your Build consists of 28 Packs. CLICK HERE for more details for the 14 months payment option.

Download Step-by-Step Assembly Guide

HMS Surprise Product Overview

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 1

HMS Surprise Cut Sheets

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 2

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 3

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 4

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 5

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 6

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 7

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 8

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 9

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 10

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 11

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 12

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 13

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 14

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 15

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 16

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 17

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 18

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 19

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 20

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 21, 22, 23

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 24

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 28

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 27

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 26

HMS Surprise Assembly Guide - Pack 25

HMS Surprise Mast Plan 1

HMS Surprise Mast Plan 2

Reviews

2017-06-14 22:41:19

Debauched Sloth

The HMS Surprise in the films was a re-naming of a ship that is a replica of HMS Rose, an entirely different ship from the age of sail to the real life HMS Surprise. Also, I think the only thing O' Brian really "based" on the real one was her name and the fact she is also a Sixth rate. For starters, Captain Aubrey first served in Surprise as a midshipman in 1785 in the story, where as the real Surprise was bought into the service in 1796. There are many other reasons that real Surprise and movie Surprise are vastly different physically, heck, movie Surprise is also different from book surprise, so, assuming the model is based on the film HMS Surprise, ex-HMS Rose replica, I'm not sure its right to mention the real Surprise in the description as though it is a model of both, this is strictly a model of the fictional movie ship, not an historical one. The history of the ship you build from this kit can be dated to 1757 if you modify and complete it as HMS Rose off your own back, otherwise you're building a model of a ship as she floats, of just 14 years of age (when Rose was renamed) technically.
2016-06-07 20:03:14

Magpie1832

Had this a while now, am still building her and am very impressed. C/s very good. Had couple of problems but easily sorted. I got mine on 12 month packs. Instructions downloaded no problem, all The kits on here are downloaded instructions.
2016-01-07 17:54:08

Tom

Not impressed not instructions with first pack,spoke to 2 customer service ppl had a snotty email reply saying the instructions need to be down loaded,but no link TBH wouldn't bother with this build

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HMS Surprise | 1:48 Model

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Delivery & Return Information

The first pack of your order / complete kit will be delivered to you FREE of charge within approximately 5 working days from the date your order has been confirmed. If you don’t like your first pack/complete kit, you can return within 14 working days of receiving the first delivery from us with any seals and shrink-wrap intact. Please contact us to find out our return address and how to send your first pack back to us for a refund

Cancellation Information

We believe that you will be 100% satisfied with your scale model but in some cases, you might need to cancel your subscription. There is no commitment and so no obligation to continue your subscription. If you wish to cancel your subscription at any time after the 14 working days following receipt of your first pack, you are free to do so at any time. However, we would advise that you provide us with 28 days notice of cancellation as otherwise pack/s may already be on their way to you and we will be unable to prevent the delivery. Please let us know by contacting us for cancellation of your subscription.