Occre 1/90 Scale Belle Poule Model Kit
Famous for carrying Napoleon's remains home from Saint Helena in 1840, Belle Poule was an impressive 60-gun frigate of the French Navy. Occre's large 1/90 scale kit recreates this historic warship in exceptional detail, with more than 6,600 parts, a full set of sails and an elaborate three-masted rig producing a finished model over a metre long.
ABOUT THE KIT:
Occre's Belle Poule is a substantial wooden ship modelling project measuring 1085mm long, 385mm wide and 765mm high when complete. With 6,630 individual parts and an estimated build time of approximately 800 hours, it offers an absorbing challenge for experienced wooden ship modellers.
The kit combines fine hardwoods selected for structural, planking and visible components with precision laser-cut wooden sheets. High-precision photo-etched brass is used for particularly fine details, while Zamak castings provide robust and realistic fittings throughout the vessel.
Cotton sails are included, together with threads in different thicknesses for recreating Belle Poule's extensive standing and running rigging. The kit also includes a basic display stand and a photo-etched brass plaque bearing the ship's name.
Construction is supported by scale plans, instructions in five languages, high-definition step-by-step photographs, a comprehensive parts list and identification sheet, plus Occre's complete series of step-by-step video tutorials.
Occre currently rates Belle Poule as Advanced / Level 3, making this large and intricate frigate best suited to modellers with previous experience of complex wooden ship construction and rigging.
FEATURES:
- Highly detailed 1/90 scale model of the French frigate Belle Poule
- 6,630 individual parts
- Fine hardwood construction
- Precision laser-cut wooden sheets
- High-precision photo-etched brass detailing
- Zamak cast fittings and detail components
- Cotton sails included
- Rigging threads in different thicknesses
- Extensive three-masted sailing rig
- Basic display stand included
- Photo-etched brass nameplate included
- Scale plans included
- Instructions in five languages
- High-definition step-by-step photographs
- Parts list with measurements and materials
- Parts identification sheet
- Complete step-by-step video tutorial series available
SPECIFICATIONS:
- Scale: 1/90
- Length: 1085mm
- Width: 385mm
- Height: 765mm
- Number of Parts: 6,630
- Estimated Build Time: 800 Hours
- Difficulty Level: Advanced / Level 3
- Materials: Wood, Photo-Etched Brass, Zamak and Cotton
HISTORY:
Belle Poule was a 60-gun frigate of the French Navy. Construction began in 1828, although changing political and financial circumstances delayed her completion and she was not launched until 1834. Her design was influenced by the powerful American frigate USS Constitution, and she entered French naval service in July 1835.
The event for which Belle Poule is best remembered came in 1840, when she was chosen for a particularly significant mission: returning the remains of Napoleon Bonaparte from Saint Helena to France.
Napoleon had died in exile on Saint Helena in 1821 and was originally buried on the island. Nineteen years later, the French government obtained permission for his remains to be returned to France. Belle Poule was selected to undertake the voyage under the command of Prince François d'Orléans, Prince of Joinville, a son of King Louis-Philippe I.
After reaching Saint Helena, Napoleon's remains were exhumed and transferred aboard the frigate for the journey back to France. They ultimately arrived in Paris, where Napoleon was reinterred at Les Invalides on 15th December 1840.
The episode became known in France as the Retour des Cendres, or 'Return of the Ashes', and permanently associated Belle Poule with one of the most famous figures in European history.
PLEASE NOTE:
Paint, glue and modelling tools are required to complete this kit and are not included.
OPTIONAL EXTRAS. NOT INCLUDED. AVAILABLE SEPARATELY.
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).
Occre Belle Poule Paint Pack (90559) Contains:
- 19395 - White
- 19396 - Black
- 19411 - Dark Red
- 19419 - Satin Varnish
- 19420 - Sapelli Stain
- 19422 - Pine Stain
Please note: These paints are also available individually if you do already own some of these colours. Please click on 'Select Individual Paints Below' to see available colours.
