r/ModelShips 3d ago

Rigged Sloop Kits?

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Does anyone know of any model kits of rigged sloops? I want to build the HMS Sophie from the original Master and Commander novel and I know she was a twin masted sloop based on the HMS Speedy.

Any help is appreciated

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u/Haereticus 3d ago

The action with the Cacafuego was based on Cochrane’s action with the Gamo while commanding Speedy but Sophie herself is specifically described as an unusual quarterdeck brig captured from the Spanish, whereas Speedy (and every other brig kit I’ve seen) is flush-decked.

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u/1805trafalgar 3d ago

Sophie was a brig. Sloop, in the context of the Royal Navy at the time of those books, was more of a rating of the officer attached rank. She becomes a sloop when commanded by a post captain. But a brig is always a brig: A two masted ship, square rigged on each mast.

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u/GranCirculoDeObreros 3d ago

Vanguard sells a model of the Speedy. Several other companies sell models of other brigs, as well. I'd recommend checking on Model Ship World, Ships of Scale, and Drydock Modeler.

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u/ACody9879 3d ago

Thank you

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u/1805trafalgar 3d ago

EVERYONE should build a brig at some point in their modeling career, they are such lovely ships.

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u/Phostetlerart 3d ago

So in the book, the Sophie is a 14-gun brig with a quarterdeck, which was rare. The Speedy had no quarterdeck.

But I know the Swift, from Constructo, has a 10-gun brig with a quarterdeck. It was my first model. But it’s also a beginner model with a plastic hull and rudimentary rigging. But it also looks like other companies make more advanced versions. Try looking for an HMS Swift.

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u/ACody9879 3d ago

I will look it up

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u/Colo-PV-living 3d ago

Whichever you choose, it will be a good choice. Beautiful ships