H.M.S. Pegasus Ship Model Kit M1:64

Ship model kit H.M.S. Pegasus from manufacturer Victory Models/Amati

History of the original:

HMS Pegasus was one of a total of 25 Swan-class frigates built between 1766 and 1780 on behalf of the British Royal Navy. The class was designed by John Williams, the Royal Navy's master shipbuilder. The Pegasus was launched in 1776 at the shipyard in Sheerness and was equipped with 28 guns. As a so-called Sixth Rate Frigate, it was one of the smaller frigates, but its speed, manoeuvrability and versatility made it very important to the Royal Navy.

The Swan class was originally developed to strike a balance between combat power and efficiency. With its 28 guns, the Pegasus was not intended for large naval battles, but for tasks such as reconnaissance, courier services, patrols and the capture of enemy merchant ships. A special feature of the Swan class was its elegant appearance: in addition to the practical aspects, Williams attached great importance to comparatively rich decoration, which gave the ships an aesthetically sophisticated character that set them apart from other frigates of their time.

HMS Pegasus entered service at an extremely tense time. By 1776, the American War of Independence (1775–1783) was already raging, placing heavy demands on the Royal Navy. Frigates such as the Pegasus played a key role in this conflict: they served as fast reconnaissance vessels, supplied larger fleet units with intelligence and attacked weaker enemy ships or supply lines.

The Pegasus took on special historical significance in 1786 when the young Prince William Henry, third son of King George III and later King William IV, was given command of the ship as captain. This was a politically and symbolically significant step for the Royal Navy: the prince gained his first leadership experience on the Pegasus and deepened his close connection to the navy, which he later embodied as the ‘Sailor King’.

Description of the kit:

This kit was constructed with great care using copies of the original drawings. It contains a keel and frames made of 5 mm thick MDF, laser cut. Beech and walnut strips for double planking of the frame construction and the deck. The deck and superstructure are made of very thin marine plywood. Decorations and attachments are made of precious woods. The many wooden and metal fittings are strikingly well made and detailed. The large cannons are made of burnished cast metal. Decorations and small parts are etched brass. The dinghy is also made of metal. The figurehead is extremely finely detailed and made of resin. Copper plates are supplied for the underwater section of the hull. Materials for masts, yards and rigging, including rigging thread, blocks and turnbuckles, are supplied in full. A set of sails is not included, but all flags are supplied. All components are well sorted and clearly arranged in compartments. Materials for a model stand are included in the scope of delivery.

Who is this kit suitable for?

The model is intended for model builders with some experience in ship modelling and is a good second or third project before venturing into more difficult models.

What else is needed?

Paints, adhesives and tools are required and can be found in our range.

What do the building instructions look like?

The instructions consist of a printed booklet with text instructions. The kit contains several large plans with supplementary drawings and detailed illustrations to accompany the instructions. Rigging and knots are well explained. A separate sheet contains the German translation of the individual construction stages and instructions. A parts list is included with the kit.

Languages: German, English, Italian

The building instructions are not available for download.

Technical data:

Scale: 1:64
Length: 530 mm
Width: 110 mm
Height: 600 mm
Planking: double
Construction time: 150 hours