The " WAPPEN VON HAMBURG" was surely one of the most complex model I ever built, but, at the same time, it was one of the most exciting to realize, because his dimensions (more than 1 meter in lenght) and the possibility to detail also the battery and gun's deck.

Another reason of joy was the realization by scratch of all the sculptures that make me proud of my ability in carving the boxwood.
The building of this model took me near three years and at the end, I was really afraid to gift it, but there was no space in my home to take it with me.

I have only some pictures about this incredible model, most of them took during the building phases.
I hope that all the friends model maker, looking those pics, will think to the possibility to build such vessel.

The building plans come from COREL, an Italian Ship model kit producer that has drawings of the highest quality.

Short History

The WAPPEN VON HAMBURG I (Flag of Hamburg) knowed also, about Happel, with the name of EMPRESS, was builded in the Deich-Tor's Dockyards in Hamburg, as the LEOPOLD 1st, by the same, unknowed, Dutch shipbuilders.

The plans of this vessel started in 1663, and the start of the building was only in the  spring of 1667, because economic reasons. During the 1668 the wooden hull was finished  and started the final rigging. The ship was at last ready in 1969, year in which she entered in service.

All the sculptures of the ship was carved under the master woodcarver C. Precht. From 1669 until 1683, the ship acted as escort vessel for the merchant ships travelling towards West and the Spitzbergen.

The 10ht October 1683, in the Cadice Gulf, for unknowed reasons, a fire started in  the forecastle and rapidly runned along all the ship. The fire reached soon the gunpowder depot and caused a terrible explosion that destroyed the WAPPEN VON HAMBURG. The Admiral B. Karpfanger died in the disaster with 42 sailormen and 22 soldiers of the crew.

Ship's Data 

Imposted :   1663
Launched :  1669

Dimensions

Lenght : 44.6 mt.
Height  : 36.4  mt.   

Armament : 58 guns , 
Crew : 170 men + 50 soldiers

Model's Data

Lenght : 110 cm
Height :  91 cm
Scale :   1:40
Building method : Plank on frames
Plan's Manufacturer : COREL