Cries of joy rang out across the LEGO Pirates fandom after BrickPerfection’s “Privateer Frigate Fortuna” was officially declared the first pirate-themed ship to survive the BrickLink Designer Team’s meticulous review.
But did yer know he’d submitted three different incarnations of Fortuna across Series 5, Series 6 and Series 7?
The version Privateer Frigate Fortuna which passed the Series 7 review
As we patiently while away the hours until the Crowdfunding/pre-order phase, let’s take a cruise down memory lane to Series 5, so that we may observe how Fortuna evolved over the various BrickLink Designer Series…
BrickPerfection writes:
Quote taken from the official Privateer Frigate Fortuna webpage from Series 5:
Meet Fortuna, a fast frigate designed as a Privateer – a government-commissioned vessel tasked with hunting pirate ships or, deceptively, becoming one.
ARR! It looks like Fortuna’s crew has gone rogue and joined the Pirates themselves!
Exciting new possibilities! Never before have the colours of privateers been flown within the LEGO Pirates theme…
She may be flying the blue coat Soldier’s flag now, but…
BrickPerfection continues:
This set introduces the unpredictable Privateers to the LEGO Pirates theme, capable of aligning with any faction or pursuing their own adventures. Fortuna carries flags of all major factions: the Imperial Soldiers, Imperial Guards, Armada, and historical pirate flags (two of each). It includes 12 Minifigures, a striking figurehead, and a small cat to protect supplies from rat
Picture an official LEGO set what includes flags for all the imperial factions!
Privateer Frigate Fortuna: Series 5
The Fortuna, originally conceived as multi-faction vessel, included blue coat Soldiers flags and minfigs thanks to the availability of relevant parts during the 10320 Eldorado Fortress production run.
Which flag will your Fortuna fly under?
Stats
Total parts: 4,000 | Unique parts: 639 | Minifigures: 12 | Stickers: 18
Putting that into perspective, 10210 Imperial Flagship contains 1,664 pieces, meaning Fortuna boasts 240% more parts!
Dimensions
Length: 81 cm / 31.9 in
Width: 29 cm / 11.5 in
Height: 62 cm / 24.4 in
Play Features
Now let’s examine the Fortuna has to offer, bit by bit!
Looking down the bow we observe the well gunned broadside
- Detailed Hull Curvature
Realistic horizontal curves in half steps for a sleek appearance. - Structural Integrity
Exceptionally strong and rigid hull built on a Technic frame for durability.
Some fine decoration on the stern
- Run out the Cannons
Slide cannons in and out, and close gun ports securely for realistic naval battles. - Authentic Masts
Maneuver the ship with accurate, three-piece masts complete with standing rigging for a true maritime feel.
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- Helm and capstan
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- Captain’s Cabin
- Working Capstan
Operate both anchors via a selector gearbox. The removable Capstan can be turned with minifigures on it - Defensive Features
Remove cabin doors and board up stern windows
The deck can be raises for accessibility
Accessible Interior
Remove the top deck in sections for full access, allowing minifigures to stand and move below deck.
BrickPerfection concludes:
Fortuna’s efficient design makes the most of its 4,000 pieces, ensuring an enjoyable building experience with plenty of customisation options. Although the design is ambitious, I have paid close attention to making it as buildable as possible.
Set sail with Fortuna for endless adventures and creative possibilities!
This be what unfortunate pirates see after they encounter Fortuna
Video Overviews
If still photos ain’t enough to sell yer the features, BrickPerfection happily walks us through them in this insightful video, complimented with lively music…
BrickPerfection writes:
Fortuna is a fast frigate that has been purpose-built as a privateer – a government-sponsored pirate or a pirate hunter. The Crown very much would like her to hunt down and bring to justice those pesky pirates that are preying on the Royal treasures!
ARGH! It looks like Fortuna’s crew has gone rogue and joined the Pirates themselves! Privateers have been sorely missing from the LEGO Pirates theme; being unreliable turncoats, they can fight on either side or on their own.
Fortuna carries flags of all factions from the Pirates theme – the Imperial Soldiers, Imperial Guards and Armada – as well as a historical pirate flag. She comes with 12 Minifigures plus a figurehead and a small cat to keep the food supplies safe from rats.
If sea devils prevent yer from playing embedded videos, give a try on YouTube.
Speed Animation & 360 rotation
Watch Fortuna comes together before yer very eyes!
View this post on Instagram
If the embedded post above has poor riggin’, watch it upon Instagram.
Classic Pirates Instagram Post
And while yer at it, please give the Classic Pirates Fortuna Instagram Post a Like and Share.
Arrr, we be spreadin’ the Fortuna far and wide, so every LEGO Pirate fan and sea dog knows she’ll be available for Pre-order!
View this post on Instagram
If our embedded post be broken, fire it up on Instagram.
Physical Build
Building digitally using BrickLink Studio be one thing, but bringing designs to life with physical LEGO bricks be another.
Physical build of the Fortuna submitted to Series 5
After all, if BrickLink designs are to be manufactured as LEGO sets that YOU may one day possess, builders must ensure their structural integrity is legitimate.
Something that becomes all the more apparent when ol’ gravity makes its presence known.
The Hold Test
Fans aren’t particularly enthralled with LEGO builds what crumble into pieces the moment they’re picked up.
Now go try this with yer classic LEGO Pirate ships
BrickPerfection prides the structural integrity of his builds and ensures they’re stability tested by being held in a single hand.
Beneath the Upper Decks
BrickPerfection was mindful that the interior of LEGO ships are often difficult to reach.
Off comes the upper deck
So as an accessibility feature, he engineered the decks of the Fortuna to be removable.
The crew must stand aside while the innards are torn from the ship
Thanks to this ingenuity, yer’ll be able to worm yer way into every nook and cranny!
Exhibiting
BrickLink Designers toil for countless hours, polishing and perfecting their creations for submission.
But tell me, matey — what fate befall the many what never pass review?
Fortuna exhibited at the Inner West Brick Fair
Might as well set sail and show the physical build to the real world… the world outside of digital devices!
And that’s exactly what BrickPerfection did; exhibited Fortuna at the Inner West Brick Fair in Sydney, during June 2024.
Fun Fact!
The most successful pirate in during the Golden Age of Piracy (measured by number of vessels captured) Bartholomew Roberts, named his flagship “Royal Fortune”
So take that Eddie! Errr…. Blackbeard!
About the Builder…
BrickPerfection (the mighty Moritz Krusche) be one of the all time greatest ship builders!
Currently docked in Sydney in the land down under (known to some as Australia), BrickPerfection has successfully navigated from the physical age of building, to the digital age, and back again!
BrickPerfection with his BrickLink Designer ships “Concordia“, “Minvera” and “Fortuna“
This journey be well documented on Instagram, Facebook and Threads.
And for the enthusiasts what cannot be appeased by static images, BrickPerfection’s YouTube Channel explores his builds with greater dynamism.
All Time Greatest Ship Builders
Once upon a time there was no BrickLink Studio, forcing builders to construct their ships using real LEGO parts.
BrickPerfection’s fleet circa 2013
And with those parts, they fashioned magnificent fabric sails and rigged them with their nimble fingers.
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- “Medée”
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- “Sirène”
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- “Guerriere”
Above be a small complement from BrickPerfection’s fleet, visit the Imperial Shipyards on Flickr to witness the full might of his naval prowess.
BrickLink Designer Program Series 8
In case yer didn’t know, Series 8 set sail weeks before the Series 7 finalists were announced.
Open Submission for Series 8 takes place between April 14 and 25, 2025.
LEGO Pirates be riding the waves of success!
So if yer considering submitting a design, or resubmitting a previous design…
DO IT!
Yer have until the timer reaches 00:00:00:00!
BrickPerfection has lived the adage;
“If first you don’t succeed… kill them all try, try again”
What Do Yer Think?
What be yer thoughts of the Series 5 version of Privateer Frigate Fortuna?
Do yer find the multi-faction concept appealing?
The Fortuna: Imperial Guard, Soldier, Imperial Armada… whatever faction you want it to be!
In the future we shall document Fortuna’s design progression as submitted to Series 6 and 7.
Crowdfunding for Fortuna
But let’s not forget that the Series 7 Fortuna be our prize!
Pre-orders shall take place during February 2026, are you onboard?
Or be Fortuna unworthy of your fleet?
Share yer thoughts on the Fortuna in the LEGO Pirates Forum and Classic Pirates Facebook Group.
