A contemporary builder's full hull model of the 'Grille' (1934), a German steam yacht, built to a scale of 1:50. The model is decked, equipped and rigged. ‘Grille’ is written on the port and starboard stern quarters and a plaque on the stern deck is inscribed ‘MFM RIIB428’. As is typical of this style of model making, a number of the metal fittings have been silver-plated. This was a feature developed during the later part of the 19th century when models were produced for display at the large international exhibitions by shipbuilders and shipowners advertising their services. The yacht was built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg and was used mainly for training young naval cadets, before becoming Hitler’s personal yacht. He used it for reviewing the German Fleet on several occasions and it was from its deck that Admiral Dönitz announced the Fuhrer’s death on 1 May 1945.

After the War, ‘Grille’ was stripped of its guns and laid up at West Hartlepool. In 1946 it was sold to the Lebanese entrepreneur, George Arida, who had plans to turn it into a floating casino. Its sleek 377ft hull was a familiar sight around the Mediterranean until the vessel was taken over to the US a year later. ‘Grille’s’ end came in 1951, when it was wrecked at Bodenstown, New Jersey, and scrapped.

This model was transferred to the Museum from the Naval War Trophies Committee in the mid-1940s.