Scale: 1:1200. A standard Bassett-Lowke recognition model, well up to their usual standard, beautifully painted and highly detailed for such a small-scaled, mass production item. ‘Europa’s’ (1930) futuristic lines are clearly visible, with a streamlined bridge, squat rectangular funnels and cruiser stern.

After the First World War, with nations financially drained, the world’s shipping lines had little money available for big prestigious projects. So it came as a surprise when Norddeutscher Lloyd announced their two new ‘superships’, ‘Bremen’ and ‘Europa’, designed to recapture the Blue Riband trophy for Germany and to re-establish German dominance of the North Atlantic passenger route. Powered by steam turbines and fitted with bulbous bows they were radical vessels.

‘Europa’ was built by Blohm & Voss in Hamburg, 941 feet in length and 49,750 tons. She was meant to enter service in 1929 but a serious fire at the dockyard almost destroyed her. Initial estimates suggested scrapping her but Norddeutscher Lloyd agreed to pay for her repairs which added another ten months to her time on the stocks. In March 1930 ‘Europa’ lived up to expectations and captured the Blue Riband for the fastest westbound crossing of the Atlantic. Those short, streamlined funnels shown on the model did not last long, though. After covering the passengers with soot on her maiden voyage, they were heightened by 15 feet.

During the early part of the Second World War ‘Bremen’ and ‘Europa’ were accommodation ships at Bremmerhaven. When the Nazis drew up their plans for Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of Britain, the liners were earmarked for use as big-capacity transports for carrying thousands of troops, tanks and other heavy equipment. It was even mooted that ‘Europa’ be converted to an aircraft carrier.

In the end neither liners were used for war service and, in 1945, ‘Europa’ was first taken over by the United States Navy and renamed ‘USS Europa’, and then given to France as reparation for the loss of the ‘Normandie’. By 1950, and following another serious fire, she was refurbished, restyled, and renamed ‘Liberté’. She was eventually scrapped in Italy in 1962.