The Cutty Sark was built on the Clyde in 1869 and was designed with the expressed intent of out sailing the clipper ship, Thermopylae, launched in 1868.  The Cutty Sark was 212 feet in length and had a registered tonnage of 921 tons but could carry 32,000 square feet of sail giving her a top speed of about 17 knots.  The Cutty Sark was originally built as a China Clipper for the Tea Trade but in 1877 she carried her last cargo of tea and for many years carried an assortment of cargos until she began her second career in the wool trade.  By 1895, however, the clipper ships could not compete with modern steam powered vessels and the Cutty Sark was sold to a Portuguese company.  In June 1922, the Cutty Sark sailed back to England where she was subsequently restored to her original condition.  In 1938 the Cutty Sark was presented to the Thames Nautical College as a training ship.  In 1952, the Cutty Sark Preservation Society was formed and finally in 1957, she was installed in a dry berth at Greenwich where this famous ship was opened to the public and as a school for seamanship.  This old Cutty Sark (Series 1) kit, was part of Airfix’s  “Historical Ships” line of small scaled models and includes the following features: 1) Authentic flags; 2) Detailed display stand; 3) Detailed sails; 4) Molded in white colored plastic; 5) Separately molded lifeboats; 6) Color painting guide and 7) Illustrated assembly instructions.  The package is in Excellent condition.  Never Started and factory sealed.