The H.M.S. Fly was the fifth of the Swan Class of ship rigged sloop, of 25 vessels built from 1766 to 1780.
Fly, as with the entire Swan class was designed by Williams and her construction was ordered by the Admiralty on 1st August 1775 to be built at Sheerness Dockyard. The keel was laid in January 1776 and launched on 14th September 1776.
H.M.S. Fly was commissioned mainly for convoy escort duty and dispatch duty. She did capture a French privateer, Le Gleneur, off Portland after a long chase.
In 1800 she captured another French privateer, the Cutter Trompeur off La Hague.
Fly continued convoy duties until she foundered and was lost off Newfoundland during 1802.
The Swan class were unusually attractive for the class of vessel, with not only very sleek hull lines but also the unusual amount of decorations for the size of vessel.
The Swan Class measured 97’ 7” on the gun deck and displaced 300 tons. They carried 125 officers and men and initially carried 14 guns (later 16) and 16 swivel guns.
The original plans of the Fly still exist, and on these plans the kit is drawn.
The HMS Fly kit includes: Double plank on frame construction uses high quality birch for structural parts. Other wooden parts are walnut and basswood. A comprehensive fittings package includes 4, 6 and 8mm dowels for masts, boom and bowsprit; 7 sizes of various blocks; 3 diameters of black and 6 diameters of beige rigging line. The rich ornamentation of the original vessel is accurately reproduced. You’ll find cast metal figurehead, stern ornamentation, quarter badge decorations and photo-etched brass for hull and stern decoration, rudder gudgeons and pintles, window frames, pillar moldings and more. Clearly written instructions plus 12 sheets of detailed plans (3 of them dedicated to rigging) pave the way to a magnificent model.
Specifications:
Scale 1:64
Length: 800mm
Height: 600mm
Planking: Double
