This is a 1/48 scale model of the Pinta, one of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus during his first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in 1492. It was a caravel, a type of ship known for its speed and ability to navigate both open seas and shallow waters. It was also the fastest ship in Columbus’ fleet. The ship was commanded by Martín Alonso Pinzón, Columbus’ navigator. The Pinta helped to explore the islands in the Caribbean, and it was the first ship to spot land on October 12, 1492, which led to the discovery of the New World.Once the expedition finished its exploration of the Caribbean, the Pinta returned to Spain in March 1493. Though the Pinta was used for other voyages, its exact fate is unknown. While the ship no longer exists, the Pinta's role in Columbus' historic first voyage remains an important part of the story of the Age of Exploration.