Good morning to all ship modelers, especially those who love static display models.

I wanted to share some photos taken at the Vasa Museum of this exceptional—and truly unique—historical naval artifact.

I hope ship enthusiasts—and fans of 17th-century galleons in particular—enjoy these photos.

Perhaps, if not today, these images might prove useful to anyone planning to build a model of the ship (whether from scratch or from a kit).
An older Italian modeler I know had started building the Vasa from scratch, choosing a large and challenging scale. He aimed for a very high level of accuracy, going so far as to replicate the individual nails in the hull planking, installing them one by one with extreme care and patience.
As far as I know, the project isn't finished yet.
For this kind of work, these images are invaluable.

The story of the Vasa is well known; anyone can read about it in books, encyclopedias, or online.
Here is a brief summary (I am copying what I wrote in another thread—without including the link, out of mercy) for those who don't feel like doing the research themselves:

The case is emblematic, but the recovery of the wreck is just as surprising as the sinking itself.
It was an exceptional and well-documented undertaking that brought to light an intact galleon—something never before seen or even imagined.
Even today, Swedish engineers face enormous challenges in preserving this wooden giant raised from the sea.
Simply put, the galleon's own weight creates structural issues that must be resolved effectively and quickly to avoid irreparable damage.

This Swedish galleon was laid down in 1626 and launched in 1628.
It sank the same day it was launched.

Shortly after the keel was laid, the king, learning of similar constructions in competing nations, wanted the ship to be longer.

King Gustav II Adolf of Sweden had more cannons added.
With these modifications the Vasa was the most heavily armed of her era, (or one of the most armed) but it was also excessively long and above all too tall compared to her width.
Furthermore, the huge masses at high elevation raised the center of gravity, making it dangerously unstable.
In an attempt to make it more stable, the ballast was increased, but at the cost of greater immersion of the hull.

Even though the practical test (empirical but consolidated over time and effective) had given a negative outcome, the king's provisions which urged the launch were respected.

With the cannons, ammunition and stern friezes at the time of launching the ship had a small freeboard and the water was very close to the lower gun doors.

On 10 August 1628 the Vasa hoisted her sails on her maiden voyage just off the port of Stockholm where she had been built.
However, a gust of wind tilted it and water began to enter the hull through the gun ports.
The ship sank very quickly just 120 meters from the coast and after having traveled less than a nautical mile, settling on a shallow muddy seabed.
Many people were saved by the boats that rushed to help, but at least 40 of the 130 people on board died in the shipwreck, including wives and children of some crew members, however many fewer than could have been expected, given that the sailors on board they suspected disaster.
The second gust of wind was enough to make it sink, a light wind certainly not a storm. Incredible but true.

The commission of inquiry did not lead to any results, also because it should have blamed the king.
However, everyone knew, even abroad, who was to blame.

The work is rewarded by the resounding success of the public, people come from all over the world to see this galleon, and even those who are not passionate about ships admire it. It is the most visited museum in Sweden or among the first.