Model felucca San Juan 1-70 - OcCre

The key points to remember about the San Juan model

This wooden boat model allows you to discover the main stages of miniature shipbuilding, from the structure of the hull to the rigging.

Its elongated silhouette and large lateen sail make it an original model to start with in naval modeling.

The San Juan, the small boat of the great journey

In the 19th century, the felucca was a versatile sailboat from the Spanish Mediterranean.

Its small hull and large lateen sail allowed it to perform various missions: coastal navigation, mail transport, fishing, or customs activities.

When Spain lost a large part of its merchant navy after the independence of its American colonies, these small boats helped maintain connections with the Antilles that remained loyal to the Spanish Crown.

Tradition attributes to the San Juan one of the first crossings of this resumption of maritime exchanges.

The boat would then have earned its nickname "El Glorioso."

This story gives a particular context to the OcCre model: it represents a ship of modest dimensions, but suitable for demanding voyages and multiple uses at sea.

The silhouette of the San Juan is distinguished by its narrow hull and lateen sail.

The model allows you to reproduce these characteristics and discover a traditional type of boat different from the great galleons and line ships.

Assembling the 1/70 scale felucca model

With 1,496 pieces and an estimated assembly time of 120 hours, the San Juan model is an accessible project to start with in wooden ship construction.

It is advisable to follow the steps in order, to check the alignment of the structure before continuing with the planking, and then to work carefully on the details of the deck and rigging.

The installation of the threads and the lateen sail requires precision, even on a model intended for beginners.

What equipment to prepare for assembly?

A modeling cutter, fine sandpaper, pliers, a small hammer, a hand drill, and wood glue make a good base.

Set up on a stable and well-lit work surface to handle the small parts and adjust the elements before gluing.

Follow the assembly instructions and available video tutorials to progress step by step.

Wood, brass, and rigging details

OcCre uses several types of wood according to the function of the parts: structure, hull planking, deck, and visible finishes.

Laser-cut boards favor precise fitting.

Photogravure brass elements are used for fine details, while zamak molded parts complete certain accessories. Cotton is used for the sails and threads of different thicknesses needed for rigging.

For painting and finishes, you can keep the natural look of the wood or paint certain parts according to the desired finish.

Prepare the surfaces carefully and test on a less visible area before treating the main parts.

Check the contents of the kit before planning additional paint and tool purchases.

Presenting the San Juan model in a showcase or diorama

With a length of 685 mm and a height of 489 mm, the finished model requires a space that allows enough clearance around the sail and rigging. The provided display base facilitates its presentation in a showcase or a collection dedicated to historical sailboats.

To create a diorama, you can imagine a small Mediterranean port, a merchant quay, or a coastal navigation scene inspired by the 19th century.

A setting evoking the transport of goods or the departure of a voyage to the Antilles will remind of the versatility of these small sailboats. Respect the scale of the added elements and provide enough space around the lateen sail.

Who is the OcCre San Juan 1-70 model for?

This wooden felucca model is aimed at beginners who want to discover naval modeling with a historical boat of modest size.

Its 1,496 pieces allow you to learn about hull construction, deck finishes, and rigging assembly.

The San Juan also offers an opportunity to discover the history of the small sailboats that contributed to maintaining maritime exchanges between Spain and the Antilles.