HMAS Bendigo (FCPB 211) Patrol Boat Model 80cm

Key Features of the HMAS Bendigo model

• A masterfully handcrafted replica of the HMAS Bendigo, capturing its precision and detail.
• Designed from original naval drawings and meticulously built by skilled artisans over 14 weeks, dedicating hundreds of hours to perfection.
• Expertly constructed from individually cut and shaped wooden planks, ensuring unmatched craftsmanship and accuracy.
• Built with on-frame construction and hand-painted to replicate the authentic colors and tones of the real vessel.
• Fully assembled and display-ready, complete with a custom nameplate and an informative history sheet.
• Size specifications: 80cmL x 14cmW x 32cmH, scale 1:52.

The History of HMAS Bendigo

HMAS Bendigo (FCPB 211) was one of fifteen Fremantle-class patrol boats operated by the Royal Australian Navy. Named after the city of Bendigo in Victoria, this vessel was the second RAN ship to carry the name. She was laid down by NQEA in Cairns, Queensland, on 21 September 1981, launched on 9 April 1983, and commissioned into service on 28 May 1983.

Throughout her career, HMAS Bendigo was based primarily at HMAS Cairns and undertook a range of duties including coastal surveillance, maritime border protection, fisheries patrols, and support for customs and immigration enforcement. She played a key role in patrolling Australia’s northern waters, contributing to national security and sovereignty.

One of her notable achievements came on 16 July 1985, when she became the first patrol boat to circumnavigate Australia, demonstrating both the range and reliability of the Fremantle-class design. After 23 years of service, HMAS Bendigo was decommissioned on 9 September 2006. She was later scrapped, but remains remembered as a dependable and capable part of Australia’s maritime defence fleet.