HISTORY OF THE FRENCH TRAINING SHIP BELEM The Belem, launched in 1896, is the last French three-masted ship, the oldest three-masted sailing ship in Europe and the second largest sailboat staying in France. Built in Nantes, and used more than anything in the Caribbean, this old cargo sailboat alternated by English, Italian and French hands again. The Belem was motorized and renamed for various uses - luxury cruise ship and training ship - and was finally discovered by chance in Venice in a bad state of conservation in the late 1970s by a nostalgic fan. Purchased with the support of a large French bank, which financed the foundation that began its restoration, the Belem training ship is now reconverted into cabotage: it offers initiation and discovery courses for enthusiasts, and is intended for the French Navy for the training of his cabin boys, appearing in addition in the great meetings of traditional sailboats. The Belem received the classification of Historical Monument on February 27, 1984. CONTENTS OF THE BELEM MODELING KIT The wooden model of the training ship Belem, created by Artesanía Latina, has the formal accreditation of the Belem Foundation that bears the same name. The modeling kit of this wonderful boat is made of wood, and it also has numerous parts of metal. The fact is it has more than 1,300 pieces so that the advanced level modelers - after there is an expert level- enjoy the assembly of this model of the French sailboat. The Belem boat kit has a laser-cut board with different thicknesses, birch wood slats and rods, linden veneer, chemical cuttings in steel and brass, castings, decals for the details of the helmet as depth marks or the very name of the ship, cotton cloth candles ready to be placed, cotton yarn for the maneuver and a very important gift for your exhibition: the base in wood. Besides, find a DVD with optimal step-by-step instructions thanks to its 1,500 color images and its video tutorials. The kit does not include printed instructions. Once finished, the model is 31 47/64’’ long, 10 5/64’’ wide and 21 17/64’’ high. Worthy of being highlighted, the Belem has a spectacular bow winch, with great detail, and can be assembled with around 30 pieces ... Fall in love with this beautiful boat!
