A project spanning almost a decade
My adventure with the scale model of the Santísima Trinidad began more than twenty years ago. What initially seemed like a new modelling project gradually became an experience that would accompany me throughout much of the following decade.
After building the Red Dragon and, later, the Endeavour, I decided to take on one of the greatest challenges in naval modelling: recreating the flagship of the Spanish Navy during the eighteenth century.
The largest warship of its time
Before the Battle of Trafalgar, the Santísima Trinidad carried 140 guns, making her the largest and most heavily armed warship of her era. She was also the only ship ever built with four complete gun decks.
Nicknamed "The Escorial of the Seas", she became one of the most iconic ships of the Spanish Navy. Following the Battle of Trafalgar, she was captured by the British fleet and eventually sank during the violent storm that followed the engagement.
From the very beginning, I knew this would not be just another model. My goal was to build something that captured, as faithfully as possible, the grandeur of the original ship. To achieve that, I decided to devote the necessary time to every single component, paying close attention even to details that would barely be visible once the model was completed.
One of my main objectives was to reproduce the ship as accurately as possible. For that reason, I decided to include a feature that was not part of the original kit: the copper sheathing of the hull, which had been added to the real Santísima Trinidad during its later refits to protect the hull and improve its performance at sea.
That decision became one of the greatest challenges of the entire project. Every one of the thousands of copper plates was individually cut, shaped, and installed entirely by hand. One after another, each plate had to be carefully adjusted to its exact position on the hull. The process lasted for months and eventually became a true puzzle that tested my patience, perseverance, and attention to even the smallest detail.
In total, the construction took almost ten years. Not because the model itself was exceptionally difficult to build, but because I wanted to give every element the time it deserved, working without rushing and enjoying the process as much as the final result.
One of the most difficult moments came while building the masts and rigging. As I was preparing one of the masts, I suffered a serious accident with a cutting tool that nearly cost me a finger. Fortunately, it ended with nothing more than a major scare, although it took several months before I was able to resume work. The experience reminded me that even a seemingly peaceful hobby demands complete concentration, and that a single moment of distraction can have serious consequences.
Unfortunately, I have very few photographs of the construction process. The images shared here are almost the only surviving record of those years of work, the countless hours invested, and the gradual evolution of a project that slowly became an important part of my life.
Today, the model is virtually complete. The only remaining task is to install and adjust the four anchors that will finally complete the ship. It is curious to think that, after so many years of work, such a small detail is all that still separates the project from being truly finished.
Like any project of this scale, the model also reflects everything I learned throughout its construction. With the benefit of experience, I can now see details that I would approach differently today. Yet those small imperfections have become part of the model's story and the journey behind it. Rather than flaws, they represent the evolution of a project built with patience, dedication, and deep respect for the remarkable ship it seeks to recreate.
As a final touch, I decided to add thin white stripes along both sides of the hull. It was a small artistic choice that, in my opinion, gave the model the character and presence I had envisioned from the very beginning.
My greatest wish has always been for this model to be seen and enjoyed by others. Due to personal circumstances, I have never been able to move it to my current home, so it continues to wait for a place where it can be displayed and appreciated by people who share a passion for naval history and ship modeling.
If this project has sparked your interest or you would like to know more about its construction, I would be delighted to share my experience and answer any questions.
Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who, in one way or another, became part of this journey: those who supported me during my recovery after the accident, those who helped move the model over the years, those who followed its progress with interest, and those who simply encouraged me not to give up during the most difficult moments. There is no need to mention names—they know exactly who they are.
Thank you for being part of this journey
Project Gallery
A selection of photographs documenting different stages of the construction process, from the first structural elements to the completed model.
