How many Jolly Roger models?

We've discussed this kit at some length in other Forum threads.  It seems the history of the actual ship it represents is complicated - and dubious.  Several frigates named La Flore served in the French during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.  As I understand it, the French naval history experts are in disagreement as to which one the model in President Kennedy's office - and the Lindberg kit - represents.  Jean Boudriot, the reigning expert on the history of the French navy during the sailing ship period, seems to think it doesn't represent an actualy ship, but rather a proposed design that never got built.

I'm not knowledgeable enough about French sources to form an opinion about all this.  The bottom line is that, as the photos on this thread (and others) indicate, the Lindberg kit is a nice one - especially in view of its age.  Quite a few modelers who are also Patrick O'Brian fans have used it as the basis for models of H.M.S. Surprise, which, as readers of the O'Brian novels know, was built in France.

I am also building this ship. I will be glad to join a build if someone wants to initiate this. I need to load up some more pics now that I have my Ratlines done.

Since this ship is obviously a frigate I did some research on line.  I came up with the following information.  The kit was originally released as a copy of a model of the French Frigate La Flora presented to John Kennedy. I did find pictures of La Flora
Paul

The French HMXMS Flore, a frigate armed with 8-pounders, from 1768 until 1787. HMXMS Flore was part of the squadron under d'Estaing that forced the British to scuttle several ships at Rhode Island in August, 1778. HMXMS Flore returned to France in December, 1778 (presumably with dispatches, since d'Estaing's battle squadron remained on the western side of the Atlantic). In January, 1779, she departed on a cruise in the Mediterranean (so she probably returned to Toulon). She was disarmed on May 15, 1779 to be repaired. The repairs were completed on June 9 and HMXMS Flore was recommissioned. She cruised around the Strait of Gibraltar during the summer and then proceeded to Greece, stopping at Malta. She remained in the Levant (stopping at Constantinople, Smyrna, and other ports) protecting French trade and finally brought a convoy in to Marseille, with another frigate, in June 1780. She was disarmed, refitted, and recommissioned again at Toulon between July and October, 1780. She was employed cruising in the western Meditereranean and in December 1781 helped escort a troop convoy to Minorca, under attack by a joint Franco-Spanish force; between April and August 1782 she escorted a convoy of food and munitions to Cadiz for the Allied fleet fitting out there, and in September 1782 and January 1783 she took convoys from Marseille to Tunis. HMXMS Flore and HBMS Flora were in or around Narragansett Bay at the same time. The HMXMS Flore was a unit of the navy of Their Most Christian Majesties, Louis XV (1768-70) and Louis XVI (1770-1787).

I also have one waiting to be built.

I've also got one... But the building will start this summer (too many other projects on the move)

  Yep, it seems that we have a spontaneous group build !!!  Neat !