San Diego Dreams Sail Away: Authentic 1/100 German Cargo Ship Ready to Cruise The High Seas
Alright, here's the deal, friend. You're lookin' at somethin' special, a real game-changer. Forget the blah, blah, this is the real McCoy. Picture this: sunsets on the California coast, the rumble of a Harley, a feeling you just can't quite put your finger on until you hold this. This isn't just a thing, it's a vibe. It's the missing piece. Own it. Live it. Get it now before it's gone and you're stuck regretting this moment forever. Trust me on this one. You need this.
Cap San Diego 1/100 Scale 1600mm (63.0') German Merchant Cargo Ship - RTR from Bancroft - BNC1069-003
The Cap San Diego is an iconic freighter ship often referred to as the 'White Swan of the South Atlantic.' Built in 1961 by Deutsche Werft in Hamburg, Germany, it was the last of a series of six cargo ships constructed for the Hamburg Süd shipping company. Designed for speed and efficiency, the Cap San Diego primarily transported general cargo, including coffee, textiles, and machinery, between Europe and South America.
At 159 meters (522 feet) in length, the ship represents the pinnacle of pre-containerized shipping design. Its sleek, white hull and graceful lines made it stand out among freighters of its time. By the late 1980s, advancements in container shipping rendered such vessels obsolete. The Cap San Diego was decommissioned in 1986 and narrowly escaped being scrapped.
Today, the ship is preserved as a floating museum and cultural monument in Hamburg’s harbor. Visitors can explore its engine room, crew quarters, and bridge, gaining insight into life aboard a mid-20th-century freighter. It is also seaworthy, occasionally embarking on special voyages. The Cap San Diego symbolizes Hamburg’s maritime heritage and serves as a vivid reminder of the city’s historical role in global trade.
This 63” long exquisitely detailed museum-scale replica from Bancroft is not only worthy of display but is completely capable during RC operation. Skilled factory artisans spend hundreds of man-hours installing photo-etched, plastic, and resin details in addition to the realistic rigging to set this model apart from “Mass-produced” replicas. Fully assembled, detailed, and ready to sail, the Cap San Diego includes a Bancroft 2.4 GHz marine radio system, 775-size brushed motor, Forward/Reverse ESC, 2S LiPo battery pack, AC charger, and more. Only four AA batteries and minimal final assembly is required prior to first voyage!
Visit the Official Bancroft Cap San Diego 1/100 Scale German Merchant Cargo Ship Discussion Thread on HobbySquawk.com for additional photos, videos, reviews, and customer Q&A.
Remarkable Scale Realism The museum-scale Bancroft Cap San Diego includes details rarely found on RC models for an impressively accurate scale sailing experience. |
Impressive Details Hundreds of man-hours are spent on handcrafted, factory-installed details like ladders and railings using scores of fingernail sized brass Photo-Etched (PE) parts, hand-formed brass wire, and larger molded sub-assemblies. |
A Pleasure to Sail The Cap San Diego delivers a realistic sailing experience, accented by its impressive 1600mm (63.0') length. |
Convenient AC Charge Included The Cap San Diego includes a convenient AC charger that pairs perfectly with an included 2S 2200mAh lithium battery for extended run times. |
Scale Propulsion and Steering System The Cap San Diego features a single screw powered by a brushed 750-class motor, while the large single rudder delivers agile handling and precise control. |
Removeable Bridge Access to the battery and electronics are provided by the removable bridge. Complete, photo-illustrated instructions offer step-by-step instructions for disconnecting the rigging and removing the superstructure. |
Features:
- RTR (Ready to Run) with 2.4Ghz radio, receiver, battery, and charger
- 2.4Ghz radio system and all electronics installed
- Fully painted and detailed
- Zero assembly required — get underway in minutes
- Durable fiberglass one-piece molded hull
- Genuine laser-cut wood decking
- Hundreds of brass photo-etched (PE) parts and high detail parts
- Extensively detailed and hand finished
- Incredible scale detail representing more than 180 hours of hand craftsmanship
- Steel drive shafts
- Removable superstructure for easy access to the ship's interior
- Factory-installed rigging with simple disconnect design
- Rated for calm ponds and lakes appropriate for RC boats
Includes:
- Bancroft Cap San Diego 1/100 Scale 1600mm (63.0') German Merchant Cargo Ship - RTR
- 2.4Ghz radio and receiver, factory-installed
- Powerful 775-class brushed marine motor drive system
- Waterproofed hull and drive shafts
- Steering servo, installed and adjusted
- 2S 7.4V 2800mAh battery with XT60 connector
- AC automatic battery charger
- Instruction manual
- Tabletop display stand
Requires:
- Four (4) AA-sized 1.5V dry cell batteries, Alkaline or NiMH - we recommend the Admiral 2600mAh 1.2V NiMH AA Rechargeable Batteries (4 Pack)
Bancroft model boats are molded and hand finished using very intricate details and parts including metal, wood, plastic, and fiberglass. Because of their hand made nature, minor imperfections in the fiberglass, metalwork, or painting may exist, as well as variations from the photos. These potential imperfections will not affect the seaworthiness of the vessel or the overall scale boating experience. Bancroft scale RC boats are fragile so care should be taken when moving or transporting your model.
Some of the electronics in this Bancroft boat, including the Battery, ESC, Motor, and Receiver, are NOT intended to get wet; they are NOT water resistant. If any of these electronic components get wet and you attempt to operate your model, the water can cause an electrical short-circuit and void your warranty. In the rare instance that you get water inside your vessel, you should drain the water completely and allow all electronics to fully dry before attempting to operate your model.
