In 1625 while Sweden was busy building an empire around the Baltic Sea, the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus ordered new warships. Wasa was built between 1626 and 1628. Richly decorated as a symbol of the king's ambitions for Sweden and himself, upon completion she was one of the most powerfully armed vessels in the world. However, Wasa was dangerously unstable, with too much weight in the upper structure of the hull. Despite this lack of stability, she was ordered to sea and foundered only a few minutes after encountering a wind stronger than a breeze. The ship foundered after sailing approximately 1,300 m (1,400 yd) into her maiden voyage on 10 August 1628. This ship fired a salute after she had travelled her first few metres and then began to heel over. She righted herself slightlybut then heeled over again and, to everyones horror and disbelief, the glorious and mighty warship suddenly sank. These Airfix model ship kits will require paints and glue to complete. Scale 1:144 Skill 4 Number of Parts 229 Dimensions (mm) L486 x W81 Age Suitability 8+