Scale: 1:48. A contemporary full hull block model of the 74-gun third-rate ship ‘Mars (1794), built in the solid form of ‘bread and butter’ construction. These rather robust and basic ‘block’ models were probably made after an order was issued by the Navy Board to all of the shipwrights in the royal dockyards. It stated that a ‘block or solid’ should be sent to accompany the draught (plan) for discussion upon new designs of warship. These models were fairly quick to make and would withstand the rough ride to and from London, unlike their more fragile plank on frame counterparts.

The ‘Mars’ was launched at Deptford dockyard and measured 176 feet along the gun deck by 49 feet in the beam. It captured the French 74-gun ‘Hercule’ in 1798 and took part in the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. On each occasion it lost its captain, the two officers being Alexander Hood and George Duff. It was finally broken up in 1823.