[rgmarine]

Started a new ship, a French frigate Le Belle Poule from SHIPWAYS. I'm going to build this as a waterline model for several reasons. First it has to fit in a space that will not accommodate the full masts. Second, most folks only see ships in the water unless they work in a shipyard so I will put it in a sea made from paper mache'.
Ship Details are:
Name: Belle Poule
Namesake:Paule de Viguier, baronne de Fonterville
Builder: Bordeaux shipyard
Laid down:March 1765
Launched: 18 November 1766
Commissioned: Early 1767
Captured: 16 July 1780 by the Royal Navy
Class and type: Dédaigneuse-class frigate
Displacement:
650 tons (French; empty)
1150 tons (French; full load)
Length: 43 m (141 ft)
Beam: 11.2 m (37 ft)
Draught: 4.9 m (16 ft)
Sail plan: Full-rigged ship
Complement: 8 officers + 260 men
Armament:
26 × 12-pounder
4 × 6-pounder guns

She was the first French ship to have a copper bottom. After capture by the British she was put into service in the Royal Navy. William Bligh served aboard as ship's master prior to his assignment to HMAV Bounty.

Frame parts were glued onto 1mm thick paper with spray adhesive. The frames and spine must be cut down to just below the waterline (to allow for paper mache' sea thickness). Also bulkheads must be cut up to install on both sides of floors and spine. Careful marking is required to prevent mixups.