The Imperial German Navy underwent a remarkable transformation between the mid-19th century and the outbreak of World War I. From paddle steamers to armored cruisers, each generation of warship reflected the shifting ambitions, technologies, and strategic needs of a nation finding its place on the world stage.
Now, six of these historic SMS warships have been recreated in brick form by designer Lars Tüshaus. Spanning nearly a century of naval development, this 1/300 scale collection offers both a building challenge and a lesson in maritime history.
Preußischer Adler (1848) – The Paddle Steamer That Started It All
The MOC 1/300 Scale SMS Preussischer Paddle Steamer Building Blocks(243PCS) was originally built in the mid-1840s for a packet route between Prussia and Russia. But in 1848, with the First Schleswig War underway, she was requisitioned by the Prussian Navy and converted into an aviso, the first vessel of that type commissioned by Prussia. This 243-piece model captures the elegant lines of a mid-century sailing warship, with multi-part masts, rigging, and a detailed deck layout. It represents Prussia's first serious step toward an independent naval force.
Wespe (1876) – The Ironclad Gunboat
The MOC 1/300 Scale SMS Wespe Armored Warship Building Blocks (289PCS) was commissioned in 1876 and belonged to a class of armored gunboats designed specifically for coastal defense. Compact, heavily armored, and armed with an oversized main gun in a forward barbette, she represented a period of rapid technological change in naval construction, combining steam propulsion, iron armor, and modern artillery. This 289-piece model faithfully recreates her low freeboard, central barbette, and distinctive silhouette.
Sachsen (1878) – The First Truly Modern Armored Warship
The MOC 1/300 Scale SMS Sachsen Armored Frigate Building Block(655PCS) was the lead ship of her class and the first large armored warship built for the German navy that relied entirely on engines for propulsion. Launched in 1877 and commissioned in 1878, she marked an important transition in German naval armament. This 655-piece model emphasizes her heavy armor layout and compact, powerful appearance, with two elevated main gun positions and detailed deck structures.
Siegfried (1890) – The Coastal Defense Battleship
The MOC 1/300 Scale SMS Siegfried Coastal Defense Battleship Building Blocks(609PCS) was the lead ship of the six-member Siegfried class of coastal defense ships, known in German as Küstenpanzerschiffe. Laid down in 1888 and commissioned in 1890, she represented a characteristic transitional design, a compact vessel with heavy guns in single turrets, substantial armor, and relatively low freeboard. This 609-piece model captures her low-profile hull, three prominent main turrets, and finely crafted superstructure.
Scharnhorst (1907) – The East Asia Squadron Flagship
The MOC 1/300 Scale SMS Scharnhorst Armored Cruiser Building Blocks(1187PCS) was commissioned in 1907 as the lead ship of her class and one of the most modern armored cruisers of her time. She served as Admiral Maximilian von Spee's flagship in the German East Asia Squadron based in Tsingtao. At 1,245 pieces and 48.3 cm in length, this model recreates her sleek hull, detailed main and secondary artillery, and authentic funnel arrangement. She represents the pinnacle of German cruiser design before World War I.
Schleswig-Holstein (1908) – The Ship That Started World War II
The MOC 1/300 Scale SMS Schleswig-Holstein Battleship Building Blocks(1439PCS) was the last of the five Deutschland-class pre-dreadnought battleships. Commissioned in 1908, she was technologically outdated by 1939. But early on the morning of September 1, 1939, she fired the first shots of World War II at the Westerplatte peninsula in Poland. This 1,439-piece model is the largest in the collection, featuring two massive funnels, twin-turret main artillery, and a meticulously recreated pre-war silhouette.
Why This Collection Stands Out
What makes this series special is not just the individual models, but the story they tell together. Each ship represents a different era of German naval history, from the paddle steamer of the revolutionary year 1848 to the armored cruiser that sailed the Pacific, and finally to the pre-dreadnought that witnessed the beginning of a new world war.
For collectors of historic naval building block sets, this series offers something truly unique. The 1/300 scale is consistent across all models, allowing collectors to display them side by side and appreciate the evolution of design, from the slender Preußischer Adler to the massive Schleswig-Holstein.
Each set also includes:
l Digital instructions accessible via QR code
l Premium quality parts with secure fit
l Display-ready design with stable construction
l Officially licensed designs from the original MOC creator
Whether you're a naval history enthusiast, a brick building collector, or simply someone who appreciates the craftsmanship of a well-designed scale warship model, this collection offers something unique. Each set is a piece of history, waiting to be built.
The complete SMS series from Lars is available at cubertime. Let’s build history and one brick at a time!