Ship Model Accessories: Details and Fittings for Naval Modelling

The hull is just the starting point. What turns a model into something people stop to admire are the accessories: the anchor with its taut chain, the blocks that actually turn, the rigging at exactly the right diameter. Everything you need, organised by category.

Essential Accessories for Your Ship Model

Basic structural elements

Turned boxwood belaying pins (6 mm and 8 mm, 20 pcs.) and boxwood columns from 10 to 18 mm are the foundation of any serious deck detail. Small, yes — but they are precisely what give depth to the finished build.

Spare parts and upgrades

Artesania Latina sells all its accessories as individual pieces: anchors, chains, blocks, nails — no need to buy a full kit. For those who want to go further, swapping plastic parts for turned brass or cotton thread makes an immediate visual difference.

Metals and Anchoring Elements

Anchors in different scales

Stock anchors in metal, with exact dimensions on every reference. The 55 x 35 mm anchor fits scales 1:75-1:100. To work it out: real dimension (approx. 4 m) divided by your scale. For 1:75 you need ~53 mm; for 1:100, ~40 mm.

Chains, rings and nails

Brass chains with closed links in various gauges, up to 2 mm per metre. Rings and eyebolts for mooring and rigging. Brass nails in bags of 200: a hull with nails properly aligned along the planking has a completely different presence. Metal thread also available for rigid rigging.

Rudder hinges and deck fittings

Rudder hinges, stanchions and 10 mm deadlights without glass — deck fittings that articulate the build and give the model credibility. All in metal, finish ready to use.

Rigging and Running Gear

Rope, blocks and deadeyes

Braided cotton thread in multiple diameters for fine rigging, and heavier working rope for shrouds and cargo tackle. Blocks and double blocks are functional — the sheave turns — in turned wood with metal fittings.

Single block = 1 sheave (changes direction). Double block = 2 or more sheaves (multiplies force). Both live side by side in the rigging.

Deadeyes, cleats and nets

Deadeyes for tensioning shrouds, cleats and fairleads for belaying sheets and halyards on deck, nets and lifebuoy rings for side detail. In wood and metal, by unit or pack.

Armament and Deck Elements

Cannons and gunports

Ring cannons 30 mm (4 pcs.), bombards 5 x 31 mm for XVI-XVII century galleons, cannon wheels in turned brass in two sizes (5x2 mm and 6.5x2.5 mm). Articulated gunport lids for 18th-century ships of the line. Exact measurements on every reference.

Barrels, longboats and capstans

Barrels and tubs turned in natural wood in various sizes. Boat davits 55 mm (ref. 8727, 4 pcs.) with auxiliary longboats. Capstans in wood and metal, ABS propellers 60 mm, gratings and 15 mm ladders to complete the deck.

Figures, Lighting and Stands

Figures and crew

Sets of 10 metal figures for caravels, galleons and ships of the line. Available by period (15th to 19th century), with historically accurate clothing. Sold separately to add to any project. Always check the scale: a 1:50 figure on a 1:100 hull breaks the illusion entirely.

Lighting and movement

The lighting and movement set includes a controller, fine-gauge wire (runs between frames without distorting the wood), and LEDs in various color temperatures. Amber LEDs for candlelight effect in period interiors. Compatible with most kits in the range.

Stands and display cases

Padded V-supports, solid wood bases with optional personalized plaques, and made-to-measure acrylic display cases. To protect the model from dust, transport, and time. An investment that pays for itself when the project has taken months of work.

Accessory Selection Guide

Scale, compatibility and order of purchase

The accessory must match the scale of the hull. Artesania Latina includes measurements in mm on every reference: divide the real dimension by your scale and compare. Most fittings and rigging are universal; only structural pieces are kit-specific. Recommended order: (1) thread and rope, (2) metal anchoring elements, (3) blocks and double blocks, (4) deck details and figures, (5) stands and display cases last.

Frequently Asked Questions

What accessories are essential for a ship model?

Rope at the correct diameter, functional blocks, anchor with chain, brass nails and a set of crew figures. Without these, the vessel looks unfinished regardless of how well the hull is built.

How do I know which scale of accessories I need?

Check the kit box or instructions. If it is not shown, measure a finished part and divide it by the real dimension of that element — the result is your scale. Then find the accessory whose measurements in mm match.

Are the accessories compatible with any brand of kit?

Rigging, fittings and figures are mostly universal. Structural pieces (gratings, tops, ladders) can be model-specific — this is indicated on each product page.

Can I buy individual spare parts?

Yes. Artesania Latina sells all its accessories as individual pieces, with no need to purchase the full kit.

What is the difference between a single block and a double block?

A single block has one sheave and changes the direction of a rope. A double block has two or more sheaves and multiplies the hoisting force. In a historical sailing vessel, both coexist with different functions depending on their position in the rigging.