White Bear (1564)

Julián Fernández de Sevilla Campos of Model J Ship's has completed the next English ship to face the Armada: White Bear. She was built at Woolwich dockyard in 1564 and classified as a first rate galleon of 729 tons BM burthen.

In 1588 the captain of White Bear was Lord Edmund Sheffield, serving with the Western Squadron. White Bear had a crew of 300 mariners, 40 gunners and 150 soldiers. She carried the following armament:

Gun Deck-

     3 British Cannon of 7

   11 British Demi-Cannon

     7 British Culverin

   10 British Demi-Culverin

     9 British Light Guns

The model was built using Zvezda's "San Martin" which Julián converted in a very creative way. The inspiration for this conversion was the beautiful illustration by Joseph Wheatley in "Historic Sail" which I strongly recommend.

Old Glory versus Zvezda Armada

I have been taking a look at the Old Glory 1/300 scale resin ships in their Birth of the Broadside Armada Period range. Although I really love the Zvezda 1/350 plastic kits in their Armada Invincible collection, it is at present a small range of just 3 ship models. The Old Glory range is much more extensive with a number of galleons, nao's, carracks, galleys, etc.

I ordered the OG "White Bear" carrack which you see below alongside the Zvezda race-built galleon "Revenge". I have asked Julián if he thinks the OG models can be made to work alongside the Zvezda's. I'd be glad to hear opinions and the experience of any readers.