Scale: 1:48. The four ships of the ‘Iron Duke’ class came into service at the beginning of the First World War in 1914. They were the last class to carry 13.5-inch guns, their successors having 15-inch guns. HMS ‘Marlborough’ (1912) was flagship of the First Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. She was hit by a torpedo, but remained in action, though eventually sent home under escort. The ship was broken up in 1932.

The model here was used for gunnery and sea-sense training by boys at the Royal Naval School. It has been robustly made from solid wood and painted a uniform grey, though there is attention to detail here, too, like the inclusion of radio aerials. Various compartments and features, including the gun turrets, which revolve though the guns themselves do not elevate, have been marked and numbered. All 18 of the ship’s boats are portrayed in their correct stowage positions.