Thermopylae Tea Clipper Model Ship Kit – Mantua (MA791)

The Thermopylae Tea Clipper 1868 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 Thermopylae Tea Clipper 1868

The THERMOPYLAE – Tea Clipper 1868 was an extreme composite clipper ship built in 1868 by Walter Hood & Co of Aberdeen. She was rigged with royal sails, single top-gallant and double top-sails. Thermopylae was designed for the China tea trade, and set speed records on her maiden voyage to Melbourne – 63 days, still the fastest trip under sail.

In 1872 she raced the clipper Cutty Sark from Shanghai back to London and won by seven days after Cutty Sark lost her rudder. In 1895 she was sold to Portugal and used as a naval training ship. The Portuguese Navy torpedoed her at sea in 1906.