HMS Terror model kit from manufacturer Occre
History of the original:
HMS Terror – from warship to polar legend
The HMS Terror was built in Topsham, Devon, for the Royal Navy in 1813. It was originally designed as a bombardment ship, equipped with heavy mortars to fire on coastal fortifications. In 1814, it took part in the War of 1812 against the United States, including the attack on Fort McHenry in Baltimore – an event that later inspired the US national anthem.
In the 1830s, the Terror was converted for polar exploration. The bombardment ship's robust construction, with a reinforced hull to protect against ice damage, made it ideal for expeditions into pack ice. Under Commander George Back, she took part in an ill-fated voyage to the Arctic in 1836/37, which almost ended in the ice. Later, she served under James Clark Ross on the Antarctic expedition (1839–1843), during which several islands were discovered and named.
The HMS Terror played her greatest – and last – role together with the HMS Erebus in the Franklin expedition (1845). Sir John Franklin was supposed to fully explore the legendary Northwest Passage. Both ships were equipped with steam engines, screw propulsion and supplies for three years. In the summer of 1845, they were last seen by whalers in Baffin Bay before becoming frozen in pack ice off King William Island.
After two winters in the ice, the crew attempted to abandon the ships and escape south by land and on foot. None of the 129 men survived. The causes were probably a combination of cold, hunger, disease (scurvy, tuberculosis), lead poisoning from tin cans and extreme physical exertion.
The HMS Terror was considered lost for more than 160 years. It was not until September 2016 that the wreck was found almost intact in Terror Bay off King William Island – in surprisingly good condition thanks to the cold Arctic water. Today, the wreck offers valuable insights into the everyday life and final days of the expedition.
Description of the kit:
3154 parts are required to build the model, all of which are included in the kit. Various types of wood and precision-cut components enable accurate assembly and ensure a very realistic, detailed appearance. Only selected woods are used for the double planking. The set includes ready-made sails, all fittings, rigging and attachments, sorted by assembly groups in a transparent box. The kit includes German assembly instructions and a small model stand with a plaque. The German assembly instructions show all the steps in detail with photos and are clearly structured for quick orientation. Plans and 1:1 templates show every detail and are helpful during construction.
Who is this kit suitable for?
Model builders should already have experience in building sailing ship models before attempting this kit.
What else is needed?
Paints, adhesives and tools are required and can be found in our product range.
What do the assembly instructions look like?
The instruction booklet consists of 38 pages of colourful, well-illustrated step-by-step instructions. A separate sheet contains the English translation of the individual construction stages.
A construction plan and parts lists are included. The rigging is described in detail and in an easy-to-understand manner.
Languages: German, English, Italian, Spanish
The construction manual is available for download.
Technical Data:
Scale 1:75
Height: 504 mm
Width: 195 mm
Length: 676 mm
Construction time: 480 hours
Number of parts: 3154
