Metal Earth: Black Pearl

Three masts, full rigging, and a great deal of very small steel.

A galleon under full sail is one of the hardest things to render convincingly in any material, and sheet steel turns out to suit it unexpectedly well: the sails come out as thin curved panels and the rigging as fine cut lines rather than thread. Whether you read it as the ship from the films or simply as a galleon is up to you. The hull profile and the stern castle do most of the work either way.

Be honest with yourself about the masts before you start. Three of them, each with yards and standing rigging, all of which must line up or the whole thing looks drunk. Laser-cut stainless steel, tab-and-slot assembly, no glue or paint. Tweezers and needle-nose pliers are not optional here. Finishes in bare steel on a stand.

Perfect for: Someone who wants a build that takes an evening rather than half an hour.

Laser-cut steel | No glue required | Age 14+