Occre 1/85 Scale Mercedes Spanish Frigate Model Kit
Treasure, naval conflict and a shipwreck lost beneath more than a kilometre of water give Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes a remarkable history. Occre's 1/85 scale wooden model recreates this 34-gun Spanish frigate with an impressive three-masted rig, detailed artillery and traditional plank-on-frame construction. Containing 4,500 parts and measuring 84.5cm long, it offers a substantial project for experienced wooden ship modellers.
ABOUT THE KIT:
Occre's Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes captures the elegant lines of the Spanish frigate built in Havana in 1788. The completed model measures 845mm in length, 365mm in width and 640mm in height, providing plenty of room for detailed hull, deck and rigging work.
The model features traditional plank-on-frame construction with precision laser-cut components. Its detailed deck arrangement, artillery, fittings, masts and extensive rigging recreate the appearance of an armed Spanish frigate of the late 18th century.
With 4,500 individual parts and an estimated construction time of approximately 650 hours, Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes is a rewarding long-term project with plenty of intricate work throughout the build.
FEATURES:
- Detailed 1/85 scale wooden model of Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes
- 4,500 individual parts
- Impressive finished length of 845mm
- Traditional plank-on-frame hull construction
- Precision laser-cut components
- Detailed representation of the historic 34-gun Spanish frigate
- Detailed hull and deck fittings
- Extensive three-masted sailing rig
- English assembly instructions included
- Estimated construction time of approximately 650 hours
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Scale: 1/85
- Length: 845mm
- Width: 365mm
- Height: 640mm
- Number of Parts: 4,500
- Estimated Build Time: Approx. 650 Hours
- Hull Construction: Plank-on-Frame
- Assembly: Self-assembly required
HISTORY:
Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes was a Spanish Navy frigate built in Havana in 1788 and armed with 34 cannons. Her final voyage would eventually make her one of the best-known Spanish shipwrecks.
Mercedes left Montevideo on 9th August 1804 carrying a valuable cargo that included gold, silver, copper, tin, vicuña wool, Peruvian bark and cinnamon. She sailed as part of a Spanish flotilla bound for Spain.
On 5th October 1804, the Spanish ships encountered a British squadron off Cape Santa Maria, near the coast of Portugal. During the resulting battle, Mercedes was struck and suffered a catastrophic explosion, causing her to sink rapidly along with much of her valuable cargo.
The wreck remained on the seabed for more than two centuries. In 2007, the American marine exploration company Odyssey Marine Exploration announced the recovery of an enormous quantity of coins from a wreck site at a depth of approximately 1,100 metres. The recovered treasure included around 500,000 silver and gold coins.
A lengthy legal dispute followed over ownership of the recovered material. The treasure was ultimately returned to Spain, with examples from the Mercedes collection subsequently placed on public display in Spanish museums.
The combination of her dramatic loss, valuable cargo and rediscovery more than 200 years later has made Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes a particularly fascinating vessel in Spanish maritime history.
PLEASE NOTE:
Paint, glue and modelling tools are required to complete this kit and are not included.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS. NOT INCLUDED. AVAILABLE SEPARATELY.
Starter Paint Pack for Occre Mercedes Spanish Frigate Model Kit (APS14007)
5 x 18ml Admiralty model paints. Bespoke paints ideal for model boats. Historically accurate colours
Please note: The paints in the pack are only our suggestion from the box art and will not match directly with the instructions found within the kit.
Hobbies Rigging Tool Set (RTS) Contains:
- 1 x Amati Loom-A-Line tool.
- 1 x Rigging Tools set.
- 1 x Microsnips.
Model Makers Glue Pack (MMGP) Contains:
- Deluxe Materials Speed Bond 112g
- Deluxe Materials Roket Max Thick Cyano (Super glue)
Hobbies Planking Tool Set (HOB24) Contains:
- Plank Bending Tool with Blade.
- 2 x 50mm Nylon Grip Clamps.
- 2 x 75mm Nylon Grip Clamps.
- Pen Grip Pin Pusher.
- Brass Pins for Pin Pusher (Pack of 100).
