San Bartolome – Ships of Pavel Nikitin

Historical background

According to some sources, “San Bartolome” was part of the famous Spanish Armada, which set out on its ill-fated expedition to England between May and September 1588 under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, Alonso Pérez de Guzmán. The Armada was confronted by a fleet of lighter, more agile English-Dutch ships commanded by Charles Howard. Among the most well-known defenders were the so-called “The Sea Dogs of Elizabeth,” the most famous of whom was Sir Francis Drake.

The decisive clash—the Battle of Gravelines—lasted two weeks. The Armada failed to regroup and withdrew north, abandoning its plans for invasion. Pursued from a distance by the English fleet, she attempted to return via the North Atlantic, sailing around the west coast of Ireland. Storms scattered the fleet — more than 60 ships were lost, although only 7 were destroyed in battle.

Model kit contents

• Detailed step-by-step instructions with diagrams in Russian and English

• Over 110 laser-cut CNC plates for maximum precision

• Photo-etched brass parts, high-precision 3D printing, and semi-automatic rope winding

• Pre-cut single-layer hull skin shaped to fit

• Decking made from individual planks with engraved joint lines and nails

• Fully assembled, historically accurate rigging blocks

• Includes a detailed 136 mm lifeboat in a separate box

Key prefabricated elements:

• Bollards, cleats

• Rigging blocks and rope guides

• Masts and cross yards

• Decorative hull elements

• Works on Spanish tow trucks, anchors with shanks

• Rudder and compartment hatch cover hinges

• Non-fraying twisted ropes

• Various rigging blocks: single, double, triple, pear-shaped, forestay, long tackle blocks

• Keel, frames, spacers, decks

• And much more…

Model dimensions (when folded):

980 × 1050 × 520 mm