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Model Shipways USS Essex 1799 FRIGATE 1:76 Scale Admiralty model
The USS Essex was a thirty-two-gun frigate built in Salem, Massachusetts in 1799. She was known around the world for her speed and graceful lines, achieving many dramatic firsts for the young American Navy.
Essex was the first US warship to round the Cape of Good Hope into the Indian Ocean. Thirteen years later, she became the first American man-of-war to round the Horn into the Pacific.
Sailing the Pacific during the War of 1812, she captured 18 British whaling and merchant ships, causing the British to lose almost a million dollars of lost revenue and devastating their whaling industry.
The British sent two ships, the Phoebe and Cherub to hunt down the Essex. They cornered her off Valparaiso and engaged her in battle. Her 32 carronades were no match for the enemy's long guns. She was captured and taken into the Royal Navy.
ADMIRALTY MODELS, A BRITISH TRADITION
During 17th and 18th centuries, the Admiralty Board of the Royal Navy required builders to submit a model of a ship proposed for construction. Only then, upon consideration, would the Board approve funding for it. Called admiralty models, these were some of the finest ever made. They were unrigged with exposed hull and deck framing to allow inspection of the vessel's architecture, deck furnishings and decorative work in a three-dimensional format.
THE MODEL SHIPWAYS KIT
We've designed our kit as an admiralty model to show off the incredibly rich detail of its decks, furnishings, and fittings.
The Model Shipways kit is relatively easy to build with plank-on-bulkhead construction, thanks to its 20 sheets of CAD-assisted laser-cut basswood parts, which come in a variety of thicknesses from 1/32” to 3/16”. Fine basswood is also used for hull and deck planking. An unusual feature of this model is that the fully detailed gun deck is left visible for dramatic exhibition through the partially planked main deck.
A host of fittings ensures that the model you'll build is authentic to the last detail, and a separate mini-kit ship’s boat embellishes the appearance. Masterfully cast Britannia metal guns are miniature versions of the original armament. Brass nails, eyebolts, Belaying Pins, and split rings are correctly scaled, and a photo-etched sheet of detailed parts adds the finishing touches.
Although this Admiralty model does not have full-size spars or sails, some rigging elements are included. Five diameters of rigging line are used, and deadeyes, blocks, and bullseyes are ready-to-use hardwood.
Six sheets of plans with parts identifier, a clearly written instruction manual of over 100 pages guarantee a great modeling experience.
Kit design, plans, instructions & prototype model by Bob Crane
MS2041 Essex Parts List
