The Belle-Poule is one of the last large sail frigates and a masterwork of the shipyards because of its speed, power and handling ease.

With very pure lines and little camber, its battery painted white accentuated further the horizontality of its hull. Launched in 1834 she was involved in a number of military actions. But her fame is essentially due to the fact that, under the command of the Prince of Joinville, King Louis Philippe’s son, she was sent to St.Helen’s island to recover Napoleon’s body for burial in its final resting place in the Invalides. It was at that time that the white line of its gun ports was painted black and so it is for the Museum model.

This model, albeit complicated, can be built by non professional, but patient and skilful model boat builders. It is a rather large model, very decorative, especially if one paints in white the gun ports line, as for all the ships of that period in France.

Specifications :

Model building : Advanced skills and time required

Scale of drawing : 1/75th,
Three plans, four photographs, one notice (french).