SV Amerigo Vespucci

Photos represent plastic model of the Italian Amerigo Vespucci school sailing ship, glued from the Heller set in 1:150 scale. The work was presented at the 9th Lublin Model Meetings in 2014.

The frigate was built in 1930 for the Italian Navy. The design of the sailing ship was modeled on the large ships of the line of the 17th century. The ship is even painted like the old artillery ships, with white stripes marking the gun decks. The launch took place in February 1931. Unlike the old sailing ships, she has a steel hull and steel masts.

The standard crew is 286 people. It may reach 500 during training cruises with cadets.

Finally, a few interesting facts:

• The length of the ropes in the frigate's rigging is about 30 km (18⅗ mi, 16⅕ NM),
• The deck is made of teak and must be replaced every three years,
• The sailing ship has four steering wheels, each of them operated by two seamen.

Some technical data:

• Total length (with bowsprit): 101 m (331⅖ ft),
• Length of the waterline: 70 m (229.7 ft),
• Number of masts: 3,
• The height of the highest mast: 54 m (177⅕ ft, height of about 15-story building),
• The height of the other masts: 43 m and 50 m (141 ft and 164 ft),
• Width: 15 m (49⅕ ft),
• Draft: 7 m (23 ft),
• Displacement: 4,146 t (UK-4,081 tons),
• Number of sails: 24,
• Sails area: 2,824 m² (30,397 ft²),
• Speed: 4-5 kn (7-9 km/h),
• Auxiliary drive: 2 Fiat Q 426 engines.

Source:

• https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/SV_Amerigo_Vespucci

25 Oct 2014