Pirate ships

Build your own pirate ship model at home

Pirates were thieves who operated on the high seas without official authorization. They robbed ships, looted coastal cities, and attacked both merchant ships and military vessels. They acted for their own benefit, as criminals without any authorization, attacking any ship or colony that promised riches, without loyalty to any nation. They operated all over the world, from the Caribbean Sea to the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic. Some of the most famous pirates, like Blackbeard or William Kidd, operated in the Caribbean and along the east coast of North America.

In contrast, and although they are often incorrectly used as synonyms, buccaneers were not initially sailors but hunters and mercenaries who eventually organized to attack Spanish ships and settlements. Later, many became privateers in the service of European powers. The buccaneers mainly targeted Spanish interests, and in many cases, their activities were semi-legal thanks to the backing of the English, French, and Dutch governments, who saw them as useful for reducing Spanish dominance in the Americas.

If you want to relive the misdeeds of Henry Morgan, surely the most famous buccaneer for his attacks on Spanish cities in the Caribbean and Central America, you can start with the Buccaneer Color Pack wooden pirate ship model, which includes the complete kit: paint pack, customized wood plaque, basic construction stand, and sails, as well as all parts of this iconic vessel. Starting with these pirate ship models to build is a great choice.

The most famous pirate ships in model format

In addition to the Buccaneer, we find other pirate ships that will delight naval modeling enthusiasts. For example, the Corsair, another ship with history. The captain of this ship received a “letter of marque,” an official document issued by a government that authorized him to attack and capture enemy ships in times of war. However, if a privateer attacked ships from a nation with which his country was not at war or outside the terms of his letter, he was considered a pirate. Therefore, the actions of privateers were legally backed by a country. Unlike pirates, who acted for their own benefit without loyalty to any country, privateers did work for a nation. Their goal was to weaken the trade and maritime forces of enemy countries, as well as to obtain a share of the captured loot.

Finally, one of the most ambitious pirate ship models: the Flying Dutchman. This is one of the most famous sea legends, which tells the story of a ghost ship doomed to wander eternally without reaching any destination. The Hollywood-like story originated at the Cape of Good Hope on the southern coast of Africa, an area known for its treacherous waters, strong storms, and dangerous currents. It is said that the ship’s captain, a man named Willem van der Decken, defied God and nature, swearing he would cross the cape despite any storm, even if it took him all eternity. For his arrogance and defiance, he was condemned to wander the oceans forever without reaching land.

Pirate ship models for all skill levels

Pirate ship models offer many fun possibilities and different levels of learning, depending on your skill and dedication. If you’re passionate about this world of riches, treasures, and misdeeds and don’t know where to start, you can begin with the Buccaneer, which has the easiest difficulty level. The next level, intermediate, is for the Corsair. Finally, the Flying Dutchman is the most ambitious, with more than 500 challenging and demanding pieces, the highest difficulty level. A jewel that can illuminate a great corner of your home and add great personality. Let yourself be imbued by the spirit of Blackbeard, William Kidd, or Henry Morgan and start building your replica pirate ship.