San Felipe Model Ship Kit 104 Gun – Mantua (MA747)

The104 Gun Man of War San Felipe Model Ship Kit is manufactured by Mantua Model Ships & Mantua Model Boats. Mantua have built its reputation on large, elaborately detailed ship model kits. Their ship model kits use photo-etched brass, cast metal fittings, cast metal and machined turned brass fittings. The detail in their range of large ship models is exceptional.

History of the San Felipe

The SAN FELIPE – Spanish 104 Gun Man of War, launched in 1690, was one of the most beautiful Spanish galleons of the XVII century. She was a lead ship of the famous Spanish Armada. The San Felipe displaced more than 1000 tons and was armed with 104 guns, enabling her to take on the most formidable ships in the French and British navies.

The San Felipe’s role in the war against the British and French was to help protect Spanish settlements and harbors, to transport treasures, and to safeguard the long and hazardous passage back to Spanish ports.

In 1705, she participated in a furious and heroic battle between 12 Spanish ships and 35 British ships. After 24 hours of battle, she was captured by an English ship, but was so badly damaged that she could not be salvaged as a prize. She went down to the bottom of the ocean with several tons of gold.