IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production
This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.
IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.
The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.
This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging
One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.
The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.
Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout
Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.
{"text":"IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) \u2013 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model\r\nRare Vintage Japanese Kit \u2013 Long Out of Production\r\n\r\nThis model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.\r\n\r\nIMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.\r\n\r\nThe Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.\r\n\r\nThis model is fully rigged and armed with:\r\n\u2022 20 deck-mounted cannons\r\n\u2022 20 swivel guns\r\n\u2022 Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging\r\n\r\nOne of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.\r\n\r\nThe flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.\r\n\r\nAdditional features include:\r\n\u2022 Ship's boat mounted amidships\r\n\u2022 Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work\r\n\u2022 Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture\r\n\u2022 Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout\r\n\r\nEven after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.","subject":"IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) \u2013 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model","media":[{"id":"17789456633","name":"17789456633.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456633/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456633/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456649","name":"17789456649.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456649/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456649/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456640","name":"17789456640.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456640/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456640/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456641","name":"17789456641.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456641/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456641/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456640","name":"17789456640.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456640/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456640/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456640","name":"17789456640.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456640/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456640/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456649","name":"17789456649.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456649/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456649/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456647","name":"17789456647.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456647/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456647/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456641","name":"17789456641.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456641/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456641/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456659","name":"17789456659.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456659/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456659/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"},{"id":"17789456658","name":"17789456658.png","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456658/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/17789456658/s","isImage":true,"ext":"png"}],"youtubeUrl":""}
IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
IMAI CHEBEC (Xebec) – 1/80 Scale Plastic Sailing Ship Model
Rare Vintage Japanese Kit – Long Out of Production
This model was built from the highly regarded IMAI No. B-296 CHEBEC kit in 1/80 scale. Produced in Japan many years ago and now long out of production, this kit is considered one of IMAI's finest offerings and has become a rare collector's item.
IMAI was famous for the exceptional quality of its molds and engineering. Although this is a plastic kit, the parts were molded with such precision and detail that they convincingly reproduce the appearance of a finely crafted wooden ship model.
The Chebec (or Xebec) was a fast and elegant Mediterranean vessel used extensively by Barbary corsairs during the 17th and 18th centuries. Its sleek hull, pronounced overhangs, and distinctive lateen rig make it one of the most beautiful and exotic sailing ships ever designed.
This model is fully rigged and armed with:
• 20 deck-mounted cannons
• 20 swivel guns
• Detailed anchors, yards, spars, and standing and running rigging
One of the most striking features of the kit is the elaborate decorative carving along the port and starboard bulwarks and across the stern. To highlight these intricate ornaments, I carefully hand-painted every detail using my finest brushes.
The flags were custom made from the lead foil wrappers found around wine bottle corks. After flattening the material, I hand-painted the Algerian corsair designs and shaped them to appear as if they were fluttering in the wind, adding a dramatic and highly realistic touch to the finished model.
Additional features include:
• Ship's boat mounted amidships
• Ornamental stern gallery with gilded relief work
• Open deck grating and finely detailed deck furniture
• Hand-painted decorative motifs throughout
Even after many years, this remains one of my favorite builds. The combination of IMAI's superb engineering and the unique character of the historic Chebec resulted in a model that captures the grace, power, and mystery of the legendary Mediterranean corsair vessels.
Actually it was a "no meet" meet. December 7 is "Pearl Harbor" remberence day in the US. So I was up to 3 AM Saturday night preparing my PT61 to bring it to the park. Weather was 40% chance of rain.
Up at 9, I packed everything and went to the park. Only a few droplets of rain followed by the sun coming out and no rain. I was the only one there.
Ironically, people must have been watching weather radar on their cell phones and decided not to go. Contrast that when, on December 7, 1941, radar was manned and the impending attack was misinterpreted somewhere along the line and the US defenses decided "not to go".
It would have been a good meet. No fun sailing alone. I wanted the '61 to get in the water where it hasn't been in quite a while. So, I am posting photos of the PT61 (1/20 scale, 47+ inches long) in my SUV. More next time.
Lew
{"text":"Actually it was a \"no meet\" meet. December 7 is \"Pearl Harbor\" remberence day in the US. So I was up to 3 AM Saturday night preparing my PT61 to bring it to the park. Weather was 40% chance of rain. \n\nUp at 9, I packed everything and went to the park. Only a few droplets of rain followed by the sun coming out and no rain. I was the only one there.\n\nIronically, people must have been watching weather radar on their cell phones and decided not to go. Contrast that when, on December 7, 1941, radar was manned and the impending attack was misinterpreted somewhere along the line and the US defenses decided \"not to go\".\n\nIt would have been a good meet. No fun sailing alone. I wanted the '61 to get in the water where it hasn't been in quite a while. So, I am posting photos of the PT61 (1/20 scale, 47+ inches long) in my SUV. More next time.\n\nLew","subject":"SSMBC (Florida) meet: 12/7/2025 military focus","media":[{"id":"176517268837","name":"176517268837","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176517268837/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176517268837/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176517268887","name":"176517268887","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176517268887/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176517268887/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":""}
Actually it was a "no meet" meet. December 7 is "Pearl Harbor" remberence day in the US. So I was up to 3 AM Saturday night preparing my PT61 to bring it to the park. Weather was 40% chance of rain.
Up at 9, I packed everything and went to the park. Only a few droplets of rain followed by the sun coming out and no rain. I was the only one there.
Ironically, people must have been watching weather radar on their cell phones and decided not to go. Contrast that when, on December 7, 1941, radar was manned and the impending attack was misinterpreted somewhere along the line and the US defenses decided "not to go".
It would have been a good meet. No fun sailing alone. I wanted the '61 to get in the water where it hasn't been in quite a while. So, I am posting photos of the PT61 (1/20 scale, 47+ inches long) in my SUV. More next time.
Well, these photos tell me the conventional bow workboat with push knees is your build. So, I deduce that the second boat that caught my eye is also one of your builds. I would certainly be interested in build photos of both. Is the “cruiser” based on an actual 1:1?
Well, these photos tell me the conventional bow workboat with push knees is your build. So, I deduce that the second boat that caught my eye is also one of your builds. I would certainly be interested in build photos of both. Is the “cruiser” based on an actual 1:1?
Another meet with great weather. Perfect temperature with no wind at the start but a mild breeze came in for anyone sailing.
We had the docks (first time in many, many years). Going to work on a better and faster solution to fasten them together and use them more often.
Lew
{"text":"Another meet with great weather. Perfect temperature with no wind at the start but a mild breeze came in for anyone sailing.\nWe had the docks (first time in many, many years). Going to work on a better and faster solution to fasten them together and use them more often.\nLew","subject":"SSMBC (Seminole, Florida) meet, Nov 16, 2025","media":[{"id":"176334907987","name":"176334907987","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334907987/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334907987/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334908549","name":"176334908549","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334908549/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334908549/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334910190","name":"176334910190","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334910190/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334910190/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334910177","name":"176334910177","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334910177/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334910177/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334914416","name":"176334914416","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334914416/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334914416/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334916739","name":"176334916739","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334916739/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334916739/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334919813","name":"176334919813","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334919813/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334919813/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334921285","name":"176334921285","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334921285/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334921285/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334924961","name":"176334924961","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334924961/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334924961/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176334937620","name":"176334937620","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/176334937620/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/176334937620/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":""}
Another meet with great weather. Perfect temperature with no wind at the start but a mild breeze came in for anyone sailing.
We had the docks (first time in many, many years). Going to work on a better and faster solution to fasten them together and use them more often.
Lew
Chum444, about the photo of the SSMBC docks. I am currently working on modifying these docks. I have a few more. Hope to be able to assemble them on land and slide them in the water as an assembly. I'll keep everyone posted on the details.
Lew
Chum444, about the photo of the SSMBC docks. I am currently working on modifying these docks. I have a few more. Hope to be able to assemble them on land and slide them in the water as an assembly. I'll keep everyone posted on the details.
Lew[{"id":"176517347146","name":"176517347146","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/176517347146\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/176517347146\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"176517366922","name":"176517366922","caption":"","url":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/176517366922\/l","thumbUrl":"https:\/\/hobby.land\/media\/176517366922\/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}]
Our club will be sailing at Spencer's in the evening with our model boats lit up. I have upgraded my Jimwilder Tug with an LED light from our Dollar Store ( $ 4.50 ) now. Did a few modifications to get it in the tug.Looks pretty good & should be visible.
{"text":"Our club will be sailing at Spencer's in the evening with our model boats lit up. I have upgraded my Jimwilder Tug with an LED light from our Dollar Store ( $ 4.50 ) now. Did a few modifications to get it in the tug.Looks pretty good & should be visible.","subject":"Light up the Night on the September 25th 2025 including safety cautions","media":[{"id":"175820216339","name":"175820216339","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175820216339/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175820216339/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"175820217840","name":"175820217840","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175820217840/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175820217840/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"},{"id":"175820218976","name":"175820218976","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175820218976/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175820218976/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":""}
Light up the Night on the September 25th 2025 including safety cautions
Our club will be sailing at Spencer's in the evening with our model boats lit up. I have upgraded my Jimwilder Tug with an LED light from our Dollar Store ( $ 4.50 ) now. Did a few modifications to get it in the tug.Looks pretty good & should be visible.
Gentlemen skippers
The koninlijke model yacht club antwerpen,1of the 5 oldest model yacht clubs in the world, 120 years young wishes you and your members a fantastic event! A lot of participants, interested visitors and a lot of youth as they are the future of our hobby. Regards KMYCA
Gentlemen skippers
The koninlijke model yacht club antwerpen,1of the 5 oldest model yacht clubs in the world, 120 years young wishes you and your members a fantastic event! A lot of participants, interested visitors and a lot of youth as they are the future of our hobby. Regards KMYCA
General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2
https://youtu.be/Z5ryHxwR1Jw
{"text":"General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2\n\nhttps://youtu.be/Z5ryHxwR1Jw","subject":"General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2","media":[],"youtubeUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5ryHxwR1Jw"}
General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1
https://youtu.be/mbpLJbpO63w
{"text":"General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1\n\nhttps://youtu.be/mbpLJbpO63w","subject":"General Sailings on the Pond 13 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1","media":[],"youtubeUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbpLJbpO63w"}
General Sailings on the Pond 10 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1
https://youtu.be/7xBDKCJoJEo
{"text":"General Sailings on the Pond 10 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1\n\nhttps://youtu.be/7xBDKCJoJEo","subject":"General Sailings on the Pond 10 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1","media":[{"id":"175483573141","name":"175483573141","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175483573141/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175483573141/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xBDKCJoJEo"}
General Sailings on the Pond 10 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2
https://youtu.be/Ojw0Cd3FIqk
{"text":"General Sailings on the Pond 10 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2\n\nhttps://youtu.be/Ojw0Cd3FIqk","subject":"General Sailings on the Pond 10 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2","media":[],"youtubeUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojw0Cd3FIqk"}
General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2
{"text":"General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2","subject":"General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 2","media":[{"id":"175455596957","name":"175455596957","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175455596957/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175455596957/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":""}
General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1
{"text":"General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1","subject":"General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1","media":[{"id":"175455586785","name":"175455586785","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175455586785/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175455586785/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":""}
General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1
General Sailings on the Pond 06 August 2025 at Southport - Part 1
Not Model Related and a fictional film but some spectacular sailing views
https://youtu.be/PgMfVir_wPQ
{"text":"Not Model Related and a fictional film but some spectacular sailing views\n\n\nhttps://youtu.be/PgMfVir_wPQ","subject":"Not Model Related","media":[],"youtubeUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgMfVir_wPQ"}
Are other clubs suffering ???
Local BMBC member Mark did a great job clearing a large amount of weed from the main lake to allow the full size pedal boats and rowing boats to operate . Unfortunately further light "wispy" weed is still dethatching and presenting a problem for most of our members model boats.
Until the situation improves , we will be sailing at the Fountain Lake.
Thanks Mark for all your efforts !.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP_MjCXNM70
{"text":"Are other clubs suffering ???\n\nLocal BMBC member Mark did a great job clearing a large amount of weed from the main lake to allow the full size pedal boats and rowing boats to operate . Unfortunately further light \"wispy\" weed is still dethatching and presenting a problem for most of our members model boats.\n Until the situation improves , we will be sailing at the Fountain Lake.\nThanks Mark for all your efforts !.\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP_MjCXNM70","subject":"Weed Problems ?","media":[{"id":"175412789525","name":"175412789525","caption":"","url":"https://hobby.land/media/175412789525/l","thumbUrl":"https://hobby.land/media/175412789525/s","isImage":false,"ext":"file"}],"youtubeUrl":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP_MjCXNM70"}
Local BMBC member Mark did a great job clearing a large amount of weed from the main lake to allow the full size pedal boats and rowing boats to operate . Unfortunately further light "wispy" weed is still dethatching and presenting a problem for most of our members model boats.
Until the situation improves , we will be sailing at the Fountain Lake.
Thanks Mark for all your efforts !.
