Mini Mamoli – compact wooden kits for beginners in historical ship modelling

Historical background: Caravel ‘Niña’

The Niña was a classic 15th-century caravel and one of the three famous ships with which Christopher Columbus began his first Atlantic crossing in 1492. Unlike the Pinta, which was equipped with square sails, the Niña was a pure lateen caravel: its sails were triangular and hung in the middle of the lateen sail, supported by side-mounted shrouds that provided stability.

The Niña had no forecastle, only a small aft deck, which was typical of the light and manoeuvrable design of this class of ship. With a length of less than 20 metres, it was the smallest vessel in the fleet and was also considered to be particularly robust in construction – important for crossing an ocean that was largely unexplored at the time.

While Columbus served as captain of the Santa María on the first expedition, he commanded the Niña on his second historic Atlantic crossing. Its stable but small construction exposed it to strong waves on the high seas, but its reputation as a reliable ship was legendary. The Niña is still considered one of the most important exploration ships in world history – and the Mini-Mamoli kit allows for a detailed replica on a compact scale.

Introduction to the Mini-Mamoli series

The Mini-Mamoli kit series includes a variety of small, decorative wooden ship models that are particularly suitable for beginners, hobbyists and collectors. The series offers an uncomplicated introduction to historical ship modelling without the challenges of classic frame or full rigging kits. Mini Mamoli is the ideal choice for anyone who wants to build a compact, decorative model with manageable effort.

Construction and material concept

One of the characteristic features of many Mini Mamoli models is the pre-formed hull, which eliminates the need for time-consuming planking and greatly simplifies construction. In current kits, this pre-formed hull often consists of a precisely 3D-printed PLA plastic part.

PLA (‘polylactide’) is a modern, biodegradable plastic made from renewable raw materials that is lightweight, dimensionally stable and ideal for fine 3D printing details. This allows for very clear and clean hull shapes to be achieved, even with small models.

In addition to the hull, the kits contain all the necessary wooden and metal fittings as well as multilingual, illustrated assembly instructions. Adhesives and paints are not included in the scope of delivery, so that the finished model can be customised. The compact dimensions of the Mini Mamoli models make them easy to handle and require only a small work surface.

Building experience and project selection

Mini Mamoli kits are ideal for model builders who want to build a tasteful wooden ship model without major technical hurdles. The clearly structured work steps and manageable number of components are ideal for beginners, occasional hobbyists or joint projects with young people. Despite the simplification, the historical character is retained, making Mini Mamoli both educational and motivating.

Area of application and presentation

Mini Mamoli models are purely static display models and are not intended for RC operation. They are particularly suitable for shelves, collector's display cases or decorative presentations. Thanks to the use of real wood and fine fittings, the models have an appealing, authentic look despite their small size.

Conclusion: Who are Mini Mamoli kits suitable for?

Mini Mamoli is aimed at anyone looking for an elegant, handy and easy-to-build wooden ship model. The series offers an ideal introduction to historical model building and appeals to both beginners and experienced collectors who want a small, quick project. Mini Mamoli kits are an excellent choice for decorative display models with historical flair.

Technical data:

Scale 1:106
Length 235 mm
Height 285 mm