OcCre Amerigo Vespucci Wooden Ship Kit, 1/100 Scale

We are pleased to introduce OcCre’s newest release: the Amerigo Vespucci!

The Amerigo Vespucci is a tall ship of the Marina Militare, named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci, whose name was also given to the continents known as the Americas. Her home port is La Spezia, Italy, and it is still in use today as a school ship.

In 1925, the Regia Marina ordered two school ships to a design by General Lieutenant Francesco Rotundi of the Italian Navy Engineering Corps, inspired by the style of large late 18th century 74-cannon ships of the line. The first, the Cristoforo Colombo, was put into service in 1928 and was used by the Italian Navy until 1943. The second ship was the Amerigo Vespucci, built in 1930 at the (formerly Royal) Naval Shipyard of Castellammare di Stabia (Naples). She was launched on February 22, 1931, and put into service in July of that year.

The vessel is a full rigged three-mast steel hull. The three steel masts are 50, 54 and 43 meters high, and carry sails totaling 2824 m² (30400 ft²) The Amerigo Vespucci has 26 sails square sails, stay sails, and jibs: all are traditional canvas sails.

Other than during World War II, the Amerigo Vespucci has been continually active. Most of her training cruises are in European waters, but she has also sailed to North and South America, and navigated the Pacific. In 2002, she undertook a voyage around the world. Memorable was the meeting in the Mediterranean with the USS Independence American aircraft carrier in 1962, blinking with the bright signal: "Who are you?", and replies: "Navigo Amerigo Vespucci ship, Italian Navy." The Americans replied: "You are the most beautiful ship in the world."

OcCre has recreated this iconic tall ship in a 1/100 scale wooden kit. Plank-on-frame construction, photo engraved brass railings, stem and bow adornments, 26 sails, detailed masts and more than 600 parts are included in this comprehensive model kit. Measures 38.6" L x 12" W  x 22" H when assembled.