HMS Beagle 1:64 Scale MV20 Plank-on-Bulkhead Kit by Mamoli

The Mamoli MV20 is a highly detailed 1:64 scale recreation of the Cherokee-class brig-sloop made famous by Charles Darwin’s second expedition. To prepare for her voyage of discovery, the Beagle was extensively refitted, including the addition of a third mast to improve maneuverability—a detail faithfully captured in this premium wooden kit.

At 26 inches in length, this model offers a substantial presence, providing the builder with ample room to execute fine deck details and complex rigging.

Technical Specifications

• Scale: 1:64

• Length: 645mm (approx. 25.4 inches)

• Height: 440mm (approx. 17.3 inches)

• Difficulty: Intermediate / Advanced

• Model Number: MV20

The Beagle kit is engineered with Mamoli’s signature commitment to material quality and historical fidelity:

High-Precision Framing: Laser-cut keel and bulkheads ensure a perfectly aligned hull, essential for the vessel's distinct "brig-sloop" profile.

Double-Planking Excellence: The kit features a two-layer planking system, providing a professional, museum-grade finish.

Authentic Fittings: Includes a comprehensive set of lost-wax brass castings and photo-etched metal parts for the anchors, railings, and navigational equipment.

Specialized Deck Detail: Because of the 1:64 scale, the kit includes finely rendered deck furniture, including the skylights and companionways that would have been familiar to Darwin himself.

Rigging & Sail Plan: Includes high-quality rigging line in multiple diameters and pre-printed fabric sails to complete the modified three-masted barque configuration.

Note on Wood Types and Finishes

Mamoli kits were originally designed and produced in Italy, and their instructions and plans reference several traditional European woods such as Acero, Tanganica, Tulipier, Walnut, Ramin (Ramino), Mahogany (Mogano), Movingui, etc. Since the brand’s acquisition by the renowned Czech model-kit manufacturer Dusek and the subsequent production of Mamoli kits in the USA by Model Expo, many of these wood types have been replaced with high-quality Basswood.

Basswood offers excellent workability and is ideal for shaping, sanding, and finishing. In the original Mamoli designs, many of the European woods were later stained, conditioned, or painted with solid colors, making Basswood a suitable and reliable substitute. For builders wishing to replicate the intended tones and finishes, we recommend exploring the Model Shipways / Model Expo paint and stain catalog, where you will find a wide selection of stains, conditioners, and paints to achieve the historically accurate or desired appearance.

What’s in the Box?

Note: This is a complete wood ship kit. It contains all laser-cut structural components, planking strips, metal fittings, and rigging materials.

• Note for Builders: The 1:64 scale is excellent for those who want a detailed build that is easier to handle than smaller, more "fiddly" scales.

• Adhesives, paints, and tools are not included.

The HMS Beagle

The Beagle is more than a warship; it is a laboratory under sail. For the modeler, this kit offers a unique aesthetic—combining the ruggedness of a British naval vessel with the specialized equipment of an exploration ship. Its 26-inch length makes it a perfect centerpiece for a study or office, representing the intersection of maritime history and scientific breakthrough.

Rebuild the vessel that carried the foundation of modern biology across the Galapagos and beyond.

Recommended Add-ons

Plank Bending Tool: Highly recommended to achieve the beautiful, rounded curves of the Beagle's hull.

Professional Grade Wood Glue: For a permanent, structural bond of the walnut planks.

Model Shipways / Model Expo paint and stain catalog

Recommended Paint Set