The Amerigo Vespucci is one of two sail training ships built for the Italian Navy and launched in 1931. The vessel is a full-rigged three-masted steel hull ship, with an overall length of 331 feet, with a maximum width of 51 feet, and a maximum displacement of 4146 tons. The ship's black and white pain scheme and hull shape is reminiscent of the ships of the line that her design is based on, though she is equipped with only a pair of 6-pounder saluting guns.

The ship's has a permanent crew of 265, and carries up to 150 midshpment trainees.

History

Its mission was to accompany the sailboat Cristoforo Colombo in training tasks, until the end of World War II. Her motto is: "Non chi comincia ma quel che persevera" ("Not the one who begins, but the one who perseveres"). The Amerigo Vespucci is a sailing ship of the Marina Militare, named after the explorer Amerigo Vespucci. Her homeport is La Spezia, Italy, and she is in use as a training ship.

In 1925, the Regia Marina commissioned two training ships to a design by Lieutenant General Francesco Rotundi of the Italian Navy Engineering Corps, inspired by the style of the great 74-gun ships of the line of the late 18th century. The first, the Cristoforo Colombo, was put into service in 1928 and was used by the Italian Navy until 1943. The second ship was the Amerigo Vespucci, built in 1930 at the (formerly Royal) Naval Shipyard in Castellammare di Stabia (Naples). she was launched on February 22, 1931, and commissioned in July of that year.

The vessel is a fully rigged three-masted steel hull. The three steel masts are 50, 54 and 43 meters high and carry sails totaling 2,824 m² (30,400 ft²). The Amerigo Vespucci has 26 sails: square sails, staysails and jibs: all are traditional canvas sails.

Apart from during World War II, the Amerigo Vespucci has been continuously active. Most of her training cruises are in European waters, but she has also she sailed to North and South America, and sailed the Pacific. In 2002, she set out on a journey around the world. Memorable was her encounter in the Mediterranean with the American aircraft carrier USS Independence in 1962, flashing the luminous signal: “Who are you?”, which replies: “Navigo Amerigo Vespucci, Italian Navy”. The Americans replied: "You are the most beautiful ship in the world."

The Kit

The Amerigo Vespucci is a wooden kit to be assembled.

Scale:1:100
Length: 38.6" (980mm)
Width: 12" (304mm)
Height: 22" (560mm)
Skill Level: High

More than 600 different pieces to enjoy building the model.

Cast nameplate included.
Basic stand display included.
Includes the sails.

- FSC or PEFC certified wood.
- High precision cutting.
- Photo Engravings with brass reliefs.
- Step-by-step video tutorials.
- Instructions in 5 languages.
- HD photos step by step.
- Part list with measurements and materials.
- IP card to identify the pieces.
- Scale plans.
- Lifetime warranty.
- High-quality model.

Download the kit instructions here. 

Watch the first of the Amerigo Vespucci construction tutorial videos here.