Olivier Bello's 1/48th scale model

A typical French Royal Navy ship of 1780, this two-decker is depicted on the launching ways and shows the complete timbering structure on the port side as well as all the ship's accommodations: holds, lockers, ladders and stairways, officers quarters, council chamber, etc... On the starboard side, the complete set of frames is visible as well as the planking and wales starting at the main deck.

This model has been constructed entirely from pear wood and does not, as opposed to the xebec also shown in this site, show the nails, treenails or rigging. All pieces have been carved from wood blocks with no heat or water bending and have been assembled according to naval carpentry rules of the day.

This large assembly is made up of 8077 pieces for the ship itself and 1395 pieces for the slipway and the supporting timbers.

The construction required 9000 hours of work over a period of 5 years (1992-1997) and was accomplished from the set of plans in the remarkable 4-volume work of Jean Boudriot “the 74-Gun Ship”.

The dimensions are as follows: 1.58m (length), .44m (breadth), .85m (height).