Airfix: 1:72 Golden Hind Vintage Classics A09258V

The Golden Hind (Polish: Złota Łania) was an English galleon of the 16th and 17th centuries. The vessel was launched and probably entered service in 1576 or 1577. It was approximately 30–32 meters long, 6.2 meters wide, and capable of reaching a maximum speed of 8 knots. The crew consisted of 80–90 men, and the ship was armed with 22 cannons.

The Golden Hind entered service under the name Pelican, but its name was changed very soon afterward. The ship was built with funds provided by Elizabeth I of the Tudor dynasty, often and justly called the Great. The vessel became famous as the flagship of Sir Francis Drake during his voyage around the world from 1577 to 1580. Five ships participated in the expedition, but only the Golden Hind returned safely to England.

It is worth noting that this expedition was the second circumnavigation of the globe in history, after the voyage of Ferdinand Magellan. Thanks to this achievement, Francis Drake was granted a knighthood.

From 1580 onward, the vessel was moored at Deptford to commemorate this remarkable event. However, without appropriate restoration and maintenance, it fell into ruin by 1661.

Today, there are two full-size replicas of the ship.