Occre 1/70 Scale Limited Edition Le Soleil Royal Model Ship Kit
With 10,915 parts, over 1,000 hours of construction and just 669 individually numbered kits available worldwide, Le Soleil Royal is one of Occre's most ambitious wooden ship models. This extraordinary 1/70 scale arsenal-style kit exposes the ship's internal structure in remarkable detail, combining solid oak and mahogany with precision brass components, hand-sewn sails and lavish decoration worthy of Louis XIV's flagship.
ABOUT THE KIT:
Occre's Limited Edition Le Soleil Royal has been designed as an arsenal model, recreating not only the outward appearance of the famous French warship but also the methods and structural principles used in her construction. The keel, frames, beams, planking and other structural elements remain visible, allowing the completed model to showcase the anatomy of a 17th-century ship of the line.
The model uses premium materials throughout. Solid oak is used for the frames and beams, while solid mahogany features extensively in the outer hull planking, masts, stern gallery, keel, rudder, balconies and gun carriages. The deck is finished in limewood.
Her formidable armament is represented by 104 miniature cannons, each featuring a mahogany gun carriage and precision-turned solid brass barrel. Cast metal ornamentation with a brass-effect finish recreates the elaborate decoration for which Le Soleil Royal was famous, complemented by a richly detailed figurehead and fleur-de-lis display supports with an antique copper finish.
Hand-sewn cotton sails with boltropes and carefully scaled rigging complete the vessel above deck. Modellers can leave areas of the hull open or partially planked to expose the frames, beams and internal construction, or use the separately available Le Soleil Royal Planking Pack for a more completely planked finish.
Every kit is one of only 669 produced worldwide and is individually numbered. It arrives in a numbered wooden presentation box and includes a matching etched brass numbered plate, certificate of authenticity, exclusive commemorative collector's coin and solid oak display stand.
Containing 10,915 parts and requiring an estimated 1,000 hours to complete, Le Soleil Royal is rated Expert by Occre and is intended for highly experienced wooden ship modellers looking for a truly substantial long-term project.
FEATURES:
- Exclusive limited and numbered edition – only 669 kits worldwide
- Museum-quality 1/70 scale arsenal model
- 10,915 individual parts
- Finished length of 1022mm
- Fully detailed internal ship structure
- Can be built with open or partially open hull areas to expose the internal construction
- Historically researched keel, frames, beams and planking arrangement
- 33 solid oak frames constructed in three sections
- Solid oak beams
- Solid mahogany outer hull planking
- Limewood deck
- Solid mahogany keel, sternpost, rudder, masts, balconies and gun carriages
- 104 detailed cannons with mahogany carriages and precision-turned solid brass barrels
- Cast metal ornamentation with brass-effect finish
- Highly detailed gilded-effect figurehead
- Brass chains and fine metal detailing
- Hand-sewn cotton sails with boltropes
- Scale rigging with different thread diameters
- Solid oak display stand included
- Fleur-de-lis display supports with antique copper finish
- Individually numbered wooden presentation box
- Etched brass plate featuring the individual edition number
- Certificate of authenticity included
- Exclusive commemorative collector's coin included
- Step-by-step construction videos available
- Designed for expert wooden ship modellers
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Scale: 1/70
- Length: 1022mm
- Width: 430mm
- Height: 870mm
- Number of Parts: 10,915
- Estimated Build Time: Approx. 1,000 Hours
- Difficulty Level: Expert / Level 4
- Model Type: Arsenal Model
- Primary Materials: Solid Oak, Solid Mahogany, Limewood, Brass, Cast Metal and Cotton
- Limited Edition: 669 Individually Numbered Kits Worldwide
HISTORY:
Le Soleil Royal, meaning 'Royal Sun', was one of the most prestigious warships of Louis XIV's French Navy. Built at Brest between 1668 and 1670, she was designed not only as a powerful ship of war but also as a floating representation of the authority and splendour of the 'Sun King'.
Her elaborate decoration reflected this role, with an ornate stern covered in royal emblems, mythological imagery and sun motifs. The combination of formidable armament and lavish decoration made her one of the most spectacular warships in the French fleet.
Le Soleil Royal became the flagship of Admiral Anne Hilarion de Tourville and played a prominent role during the Nine Years' War. In 1690, she led the French fleet at the Battle of Beachy Head, where Tourville's forces achieved a major victory over the combined English and Dutch fleet.
Two years later, she again served as Tourville's flagship at the Battle of Barfleur. The French fleet was heavily outnumbered, with 45 ships facing a much larger Allied force. Le Soleil Royal was badly damaged during the fighting and subsequently took refuge at Cherbourg.
Unable to escape because of her damage, the ship was attacked by English fireships and burned in June 1692. The destruction of such a prestigious vessel was a significant symbolic as well as military loss for France.
Despite her relatively short career, Le Soleil Royal became one of the most famous French warships of the Age of Sail, remembered for her extraordinary decoration, powerful armament and association with the reign of Louis XIV.
PLEASE NOTE:
Paint, glue and modelling tools are required to complete this kit and are not included.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Hobbies Rigging Tool Set (RTS) Contains:
- 1 x Amati Loom-A-Line tool.
- 1 x Rigging Tools set.
- 1 x Microsnips.
Model Makers Glue Pack (MMGP) Contains:
- Deluxe Materials Speed Bond 112g
- Deluxe Materials Roket Max Thick Cyano (Super glue)
Hobbies Planking Tool Set (HOB24) Contains:
- Plank Bending Tool with Blade.
- 2 x 50mm Nylon Grip Clamps.
- 2 x 75mm Nylon Grip Clamps.
- Pen Grip Pin Pusher.
- Brass Pins for Pin Pusher (Pack of 100).
Le Soleil Royal Planking Pack (PR002-PF) Contains:
- 125 mahogany wood strips
- 2000 brass nails
Perfect for planking the hull of Occre's Le Soleil Royal if a "ship-yard" finished model is not your cup of tea.
Occre Le Soleil Royal Paint Pack (90567) Contains:
- 19395 - White
- 19396 - Black
- 19411 - Dark Red
- 19424 - Royal Blue
- 19215 - Walnut Stain
- 19419 - Satin Varnish x2
