Amazing what a little paint will do! 
Artesania Latina also does make a HMS Surprise, and while my experience in wooden models is nonexistant, and I’m not sure if it’s accurate or not, I think it looks pretty good:
Not sure why the rigging seems to pull the masts forward that much though! [:P]
Yes that main mast is really leaning forward!
I’d forgotten about the Artesania Latina kit. I know it only through pictures.
Among serious scale ship modelers AL probably has the worst reputation of any of the HECEPOB companies. Its kits are notoriously inaccurate, poor in terms of quality of materials - and expensive. Its nickname in certain scale modeling circles is “Artist in the Latrine.”
One thing I remember about this one in particular is that all the guns on it are long guns. No acknowledgment of the ship’s carronades. And that picture differs in a lot of respects from the plans of the real ship.
Artesania Latina, as I understand it, no longer has an American distributor (though I guess some retailers get some of the kits directly from Spain). Model Expo dropped the line years ago. Frankly, I wouldn’t dream of buying an AL kit.
I also heard that AL had to suspend production and had to recall a bunch of kits because they were shipped with the wrong instructions as in instructions for a totally different ship.What an expensive Boo boo!
Thanks for the warning, jtilley - since I live in spain those kits are reasonably priced, and I’d have made the mistake of buying one if it wasn’t for your comments. The poor materials are probably responsible for the masts being pulled forward by the rigging…
Micro-Mark still sells Artesania Latina kits.
They sure have nice boxes! 
Yeah, packaging and marketing seem to be what keeps the company in business.
The Micromark catalog does include some AL kits - including vehicles as well as ships. (Micromark’s kit offerings are kind of odd. It sells a few Tamiya kits, and a few from other manufacturers - and lots of model railroad stuff.) I have no idea what the vehicle kits are like. The ship kits have an abominable reputation.
I decided a little bling out back was in order courtesy of Testors square bottle gold enamel. 
A bit more progress. 
put on the rails and constructed the bowsprit.Concerned that the thin plastic may bend under the pressure of the rigging,I replaced the first 21/2 inches of the sprit with a brass tube.The sprit will be epoxied and reinforced with thread. 
Ya Know what ?
Years ago I used to float REVELL’S large Constitution in the waters where I lived .( the California River Delta . confluence of the San Joaquin and Sacramento rivers ) . I built a fake bottom to hide the iron keel and used foam that comprised that fake bottom . She floated at the waterline depicted on the model .
I had to do at least five bouyancy tests before I got it right . With this one I would not float her anymore .She’s not built for it . By the time you add all the masts and rigging she will float too deep and without a false keel she WILL roll over .
Darned good looking model though .Ask Dr.Tilley why she resembles a French ship . The answer will surprise ( sic ) you . The English did it for a reason . Funny their ship yards never caught on , now did they ? Tanker - Builder
Yes I have been warned that after she is finished she may not float so well/.I guess I will find out but she sure is pretty!
Tanks you make very curious statements at times…
I’ll defer to Tilley but I thought she WAS a French ship.
Aha ! Yes she was .
Most folks assume the Surprise and others were English built ships . She was French built . Of course that’s the point of my question .Why would the Royal Navy take pains not to sink French vessels , but , instead dismast and take as prizes ? The secret is right before your eyes .
Why?
Well I have no idea in this case, but usually the prize money was a primary motivation.
The French ships were known for fine build quality and nice sailing characteristics.
Yeah, and full of French guys so inviting targets for the Royal Navy. Seriously though, prize money would be the motivation for not sinking a ship on the spot. And I don’t think it was a matter of taking pains, more likely a bit of luck following action.
In fact Dr. Tilley’s Hancock was such a prize, although I don’t know what/ if she was sold and for how much.
I learned in a recent read that the Bismark, being in operation as a commerce raider; had on board several hundred men as prize crews. Quite a few journalists, too. Those prize crews were among the most experienced deckhands in the Kriegsmarine, and were lost when the ship was destroyed.
Following this build with interest!