{"product_id":"heller-80892-royal-louis-1-200-copy","title":"Heller 80895 - Le Superbe 1:150","description":"\u003ch4\u003eHeller’s \u003cstrong\u003e1:150 scale Le Superbe\u003c\/strong\u003e recreates one of the finest examples of the type in \u003cstrong\u003e867 parts\u003c\/strong\u003e. With two full gun decks, 74 cannon, a copper-sheathed hull, three complete masts, and a full set of sails, it offers the substance of a major sailing warship without the baroque excess of Soleil Royal or Royal Louis.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThis one was built for work.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Ship That Became the French Standard\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe belonged to the \u003cstrong\u003eTéméraire class\u003c\/strong\u003e, designed by Jacques-Noël Sané as part of the modernization of the French fleet under Louis XVI.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Téméraire design became one of the most successful and widely built classes of capital ship in naval history. Its 74-gun configuration provided an excellent balance of firepower, speed, stability, and economy. France could build and operate these ships in useful numbers, while their sailing qualities earned respect from allies and enemies alike.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBritish crews who captured Téméraire-class ships generally found them worth keeping.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhich is one way of receiving a favorable review.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe was laid down at Brest in 1782, launched in 1784, and entered service the following year. She measured approximately 56 meters long, carried a wartime crew of nearly 700 men, and mounted 74 guns across two enclosed battery decks and the upper works.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Carefully Balanced Broadside\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe’s armament was arranged by weight:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e28 × 36-pounder cannon\u003c\/strong\u003e on the lower gun deck\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e30 × 18-pounder cannon\u003c\/strong\u003e on the upper gun deck\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e16 × 8-pounder cannon\u003c\/strong\u003e on the forecastle and quarterdeck\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe heaviest 36-pounders were placed low in the hull, where their weight contributed less to instability. Lighter guns occupied the deck above, while the smallest and most easily handled weapons were positioned on the exposed upper works.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThis gave Le Superbe a powerful broadside without the immense size of a three-decker.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Heller kit reproduces the complete battery with individual cannon and carriages. The gun carriages are particularly well detailed for an injection-molded sailing ship kit, including the central wedge used to control the elevation of the barrel.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRows of open gunports, projecting cannon, and individually fitted lids give the completed hull the dense, purposeful appearance of an active warship.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThere are 74 guns to assemble and paint.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eEfficiency was one of the great virtues of the original design. It will also be useful at the workbench.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Advantages of Copper\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOne of Le Superbe’s important technical features was her \u003cstrong\u003ecopper-sheathed lower hull\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWooden hulls operating for extended periods accumulated marine growth and suffered damage from shipworm and other organisms. This increased drag, reduced speed, and eventually weakened the timber itself.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCopper sheathing created a protective barrier beneath the waterline. It reduced fouling, discouraged marine organisms, preserved the hull, and helped the ship maintain its sailing performance over longer deployments.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFor the modeler, it also creates one of the most attractive areas of the finished ship.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe warm metallic lower hull contrasts beautifully with the black, ochre, blue, red, and natural wood tones above it. Subtle variation between copper panels, followed by a restrained wash or light patina, can give the hull considerable depth without making it appear neglected.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eCopper was expensive.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSo were 74 cannon.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNaval economy was a flexible concept.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePurposeful French Lines\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe lacks the enormous sculptural displays of France’s earlier royal flagships.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThat is part of her appeal.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBy the late eighteenth century, French warship design had become more restrained and functional. The stern still features elegant galleries, windows, curved rails, decorative panels, and royal color, but the ornament supports the architecture instead of overwhelming it.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe hull is long and balanced, with a relatively clean sweep from bow to stern. The two continuous gun decks emphasize her fighting role, while the quarterdeck and forecastle give the upper works a layered but uncluttered appearance.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAt the bow, the model carries the regulation-style coat-of-arms figurehead introduced in the French Navy during this period. At the stern, blue panels and gold detailing provide enough decoration to reward careful brushwork without turning the project into a six-month study in metallic paint.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe is handsome in the way a well-designed tool is handsome.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIt appears to know exactly what it was built to do.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e867 Parts at 1:150 Scale\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe completed model measures approximately:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e22 inches long\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e17.7 inches high\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e3.5 inches across the hull\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe 1:150 scale is large enough to provide substantial detail while keeping the completed ship manageable for display.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe kit contains \u003cstrong\u003e867 injection-molded plastic parts\u003c\/strong\u003e, including:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eMulti-part full hull\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eTwo complete gun batteries\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e74 cannon with detailed carriages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eIndividual gunport lids\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eMolded deck planking\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eInternal bulwark detail\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eCapstans and gratings\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eHatches and ladders\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eRails and deck fittings\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eAnchors\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eShip’s boats\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eDecorated bow and figurehead\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eStern galleries and windows\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eThree complete masts\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eBowsprit, fighting tops, yards, and spars\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eFull standard sail set molded across three sheets\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eRigging diagrams\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThere is plenty of detail straight from the box, while the scale leaves room for builders who want to add blocks, upgraded rigging line, cannon tackle, eyebolts, additional deck furniture, or other refinements.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDecks Built for a Working Warship\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe upper decks contain the equipment needed to operate a large ship under sail and in battle.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMolded planking establishes the deck structure, while gratings, capstans, ladders, rails, boats, and artillery create a convincing working environment. The open waist preserves visibility into the center of the ship, and the raised quarterdeck and forecastle provide additional levels of detail.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe boats can be treated as small models of their own, with separate color variation across the hulls, interiors, thwarts, and fittings. The cannon also respond well to careful finishing: darkened barrels, wood-tone carriages, black ironwork, and restrained wear around the wheels and deck positions.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eAt 1:150 scale, these details are large enough to paint convincingly but small enough that clean separation matters.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe kit rewards a methodical builder.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSo did the French Navy, although its methods were less likely to involve tweezers.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Complete Three-Masted Rig\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe carries the full rig of a late-eighteenth-century ship of the line, including:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eForemast, mainmast, and mizzenmast\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBowsprit\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFighting tops\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLower yards\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTopsail yards\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTopgallant yards\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eStanding rigging\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRunning rigging\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShrouds and ratlines\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eStays, braces, lifts, and other control lines\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe kit includes a full standard sail plan molded across \u003cstrong\u003ethree formed plastic sheets\u003c\/strong\u003e. Studding sails are not included, but the principal square sails, staysails, and jibs are provided.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBuilders can install the complete sail plan, use selected sails, depict some sails furled, or omit them entirely to preserve visibility into the rigging and decks.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWith the full sail set installed, Le Superbe has a tall, impressive silhouette and a clear sense of movement. Without sails, the model becomes a study of the structure and engineering of a square-rigged warship.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBoth approaches produce a convincing display.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eOne requires considerably more unobstructed access to the rigging before the sails go on. Planning ahead is strongly recommended. Retrofitting a forgotten line through a completed forest of yards is an educational experience, but not necessarily a pleasant one.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA Good Alternative to the Giant Heller Ships\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHeller’s 1:100 Victory and Soleil Royal are monumental kits containing more than 2,000 parts.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe occupies a useful position below them.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIt is still a substantial advanced sailing ship with 867 parts, 74 guns, a complete rig, and a finished length of nearly two feet. However, the smaller footprint is easier to manage during assembly and considerably easier to accommodate once the model is finished.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIt also offers a different visual character.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eVictory is inseparable from Nelson and Trafalgar.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eSoleil Royal is a floating palace.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRoyal Louis is a formal expression of the French Crown.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe represents the mature French ship of the line: standardized, balanced, heavily armed, and designed to form the working core of a battle fleet.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFor builders interested in naval architecture rather than royal biography, it may be the most satisfying subject of the group.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Final Voyage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eIn January 1795, Le Superbe sailed with the French fleet under Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse during the operation later known as the \u003cstrong\u003eCroisière du Grand Hiver\u003c\/strong\u003e, or Great Winter Cruise.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Atlantic weather proved more dangerous than the enemy.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eA violent storm scattered and damaged the fleet. Le Superbe developed serious leaks and could no longer be saved. Her crew was evacuated, and the ship sank on January 30, 1795.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShe was lost not in battle, but to the ordinary combination of winter seas, structural strain, and water entering faster than men could remove it.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eAn Honest Word About the Build\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLe Superbe is an \u003cstrong\u003eadvanced model kit\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe 867 parts are only part of the challenge. The hull and gun decks require careful alignment. The cannon introduce repeated assembly. The masts and yards must be kept straight, and the rigging should be planned in stages before the sails are installed.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe supplied instructions provide the construction sequence and rigging arrangement, but builders pursuing a fully developed rig may wish to supplement them with a dedicated reference on late-eighteenth-century French ships.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRigging thread is not included with kit 80895, giving the builder the opportunity to select suitable colors and diameters for the standing and running rigging.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThis is not a quick build.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eBut it is a logical one.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe project divides naturally into the hull, artillery, decks, fittings, masts, standing rigging, running rigging, and sails. Each completed stage produces a visible transformation, and the less ornate architecture allows more attention to be placed on the ship’s lines, armament, and working details.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe result is an elegant and formidable French warship with enough complexity to occupy an experienced modeler for a very long time.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eWhich, for many builders, is precisely the point.\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat Is Included\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eHeller kit 80895 includes:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e867 injection-molded plastic parts\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eFull-hull construction\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e74 cannon with carriages\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eThree sheets of formed plastic sails\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eComplete mast and yard assembly\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eIllustrated assembly instructions\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003eRigging diagrams\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePaint, cement, rigging thread, tools, and finishing materials are not included.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eKit Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Heller\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 80895\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Le Superbe\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClass:\u003c\/strong\u003e Téméraire-class ship of the line\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNation:\u003c\/strong\u003e France\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScale:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1:150\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Injection-molded plastic\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of parts:\u003c\/strong\u003e 867\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArmament:\u003c\/strong\u003e 74 guns\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinished length:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 22 in. \/ 560 mm\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFinished height:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 17.7 in. \/ 450 mm\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHull width:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 3.5 in. \/ 90 mm\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSails:\u003c\/strong\u003e Formed plastic sail set included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRigging thread:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full-hull static model\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePaint and cement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not included\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4 style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSkill level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Advanced\u003c\/h4\u003e","brand":"Heller","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46626926198886,"sku":"HEL80895","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0653\/3274\/0198\/files\/imgi_176_91qIrmczyOL.jpg?v=1787248624","url":"https:\/\/www.modelexpo-online.pro\/products\/heller-80892-royal-louis-1-200-copy","provider":"Model Expo Online","version":"1.0","type":"link"}