Description

CHRISTIAN RADICH TALL SHIP

FULLY BUILT AND READY TO DISPLAY HIGH QUALITY SHIP MODEL

Dimension approx.: 38″ (long) x 5.5″ (wide) x 26″ (high)
The model is already built. THIS IS NOT A MODEL SHIP KIT

Launched in 1937 from the Framnæs shipyard in Sandefjord, the Christian Radich emerged as one of Norway’s most graceful full‑rigged ships—a steel‑hulled, three‑masted training vessel built to carry forward the nation’s deep maritime traditions. Measuring 62.5 meters at the hull and 73 meters overall with her bowsprit, she carries a striking silhouette: a narrow 9.7‑meter beam, a 4.7‑meter draught, and a towering 37.7‑meter mainmast supporting 1,360 square meters of sail. Nearly 9,000 meters of rope thread through her rigging, animating the ship with the complexity and beauty of a true square‑rigger.

From the beginning, Christian Radich served a clear purpose—training generations of sailors for the Norwegian merchant navy. For more than six decades, from 1937 to 1998, she functioned as a working school under sail, later continuing her educational mission with the Norwegian Navy. Her reputation grew not only from her training role but from her competitive spirit. She became a familiar and formidable presence in international tall‑ship gatherings, including Operation Sail, the Tall Ships’ Races, and the Cutty Sark Tall Ships Race. Victories punctuated her career: she famously won the OpSail 80 race from Boston to Kristiansand in 1980, and her triumph in the Tall Ships Race 2010 marked her fifth overall win, securing her place among the elite performers of the global sail‑training fleet.

Life aboard the Christian Radich remains immersive and hands‑on. A professional crew of 15–20 sailors maintains the vessel, while 80–88 trainees join each voyage as active participants. They stand watch, handle sails, steer the ship, and take part in safety and lookout duties—no prior experience required. Organized into rotating watches of four hours on and eight hours off, trainees quickly become part of the rhythm of a working tall ship, learning seamanship through direct engagement with wind, rigging, and sea.

In the modern era, Christian Radich has expanded her mission beyond traditional training. She sails internationally on voyages open to the public, hosts school groups, corporate events, and private charters, and welcomes thousands of visitors during “Open Ship” days. Her itineraries range from coastal Scandinavian passages to transatlantic crossings, continuing her role as a cultural ambassador for Norway. Her decks—historic, open, and beautifully maintained—serve as both a classroom and a gathering place, often with crews representing up to 18 nationalities on a single leg.

With her white steel hull, three fully rigged masts, and unmistakable profile, Christian Radich stands today as one of the world’s most iconic tall ships. She blends competitive pedigree, educational purpose, and public engagement into a single enduring legacy—an elegant reminder of the age of sail and a living vessel that continues to inspire all who step aboard.