English Brigantine HMS Endeavour M1:54 Ship Model Kit

English brigantine Endeavour wooden model kit from manufacturer Occre

History of the original:

The future HMS Endeavour, one of the most famous ships in the history of exploration, was launched in Whitby, northern England, in June 1764. It was originally named Earl of Pembroke and was built as a sturdy Whitby collier coal transporter. With its wide hull, shallow draught and high load capacity, it was ideal for coastal transport, but it was precisely these characteristics that later made it interesting for research voyages on the world's oceans.

In April 1768, the British Admiralty acquired the ship, had it converted and renamed it Endeavour Bark. For its new role as an expedition ship, its holds were redesigned, the hull was reinforced, additional guns were mounted and a spacious cabin was fitted out for the scientists travelling on board. Under the command of James Cook, the Endeavour set sail from Plymouth in August 1768 to observe the transit of Venus in 1769 in the Pacific – a significant astronomical event that was to contribute to the improvement of navigation at sea.

After the successful observation in Tahiti, Cook continued the voyage. The Endeavour explored the Society Islands, sailed to New Zealand, which Cook mapped in its entirety, and finally reached the east coast of Australia in 1770 as the first European ship to do so, landing at Botany Bay. On the return journey, it suffered severe damage when it ran aground on the Great Barrier Reef and could only be repaired with great difficulty. Nevertheless, the voyage home was successful, and in 1771 the Endeavour returned to England – the expedition had laid the foundation for British claims to Australia and New Zealand.

After Cook's voyage, the ship was again used for transport duties and in 1775 was sold to private owners, who renamed it Lord Sandwich. During the American War of Independence, the Royal Navy chartered it again, this time as a troop transport ship. In 1778, the former Endeavour was deliberately sunk off Newport, Rhode Island, along with several other ships, to block the harbour against the advancing French fleet.

Thus ended the fate of HMS Endeavour, but its name remains inextricably linked to the great voyages of discovery of the 18th century. It stands for scientific curiosity, seafaring skills and the beginning of European expansion into the Pacific region.

Description of the kit:

The kit contains all the materials needed for construction. Selected woods and precision-cut components enable accurate assembly. The model is constructed using a frame-and-rib method, with double planking on the hull, ramin underplanking and hardwood visible planking. The fittings and attachments, mainly made of metal, are included in a small sorting box. The scope of delivery includes all the rigging material with all the necessary blocks, pulleys and rigging cord, as well as a ready-sewn set of sails. A model stand is not included in the scope of delivery. German assembly instructions for correctly assembling the 4624 individual components are included.

Who is this kit suitable for?

The kit is suitable for model builders with extensive experience in historical ship modelling.

What else is needed?

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

What do the assembly instructions look like?

The instruction booklet consists of 100 pages of colourful, well-illustrated step-by-step instructions. Text descriptions and explanatory images. 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 building instructions are available for download from the manufacturer OCCRE.

Technical data:

Scale: 1:54
Length: 815 mm
Width: 300 mm
Height: 680 mm
Construction time: 650 hours