The ‘Friesland’ of 1663 was an impressive example of 17th-century Dutch shipbuilding. As part of the Dutch navy, the ship served during a period of intense maritime conflict, particularly in the context of the Anglo-Dutch Wars, in which the Netherlands fought against England for supremacy at sea.
The Friesland was a ship of the line, which meant that it fought in what was known as the ‘line tactics’, in which ships sailed in a line to make optimal use of their firepower. With around 80 cannons, it was a heavyweight of the Dutch fleet, used in several major naval battles. These ships were built in shipyards like those in Amsterdam and Rotterdam, which were known for their outstanding craftsmanship.
A highlight of the Friesland's career was its participation in the Battle of Solebay on 28 May 1672, which was part of the Third Anglo-Dutch War. In this battle, the Dutch fleet under Admiral Michiel de Ruyter fought against a combined English-French fleet.
The ship was named after the Dutch province of Friesland, which was a common practice at the time to represent regional identities in the fleet.
The model is exceptionally richly detailed and carefully constructed. The kit includes an exceptionally large number of metal ornaments, decorations and largely prefabricated parts. The model has a 2nd planking. A simple model stand is included. The building instructions consist of large plans and many detailed drawings. The text description is multilingual, including in German.
Technical data
Scale: 1:75
Length: 775 mm
Height: 714 mm