HMS Beagle, 46cm

It was during HMS Beagle's second survey voyage to South America that the young Charles Darwin made many of the discoveries that would lead to his theories on evolution. He had been invited on board by her Captain, Robert Fitzroy (of barometer and weather forecasting fame), as a companion to stave off the boredom and loneliness of life at sea, and the two became great friends. Beagle herself was built as a Cherokee class 10-gun brig in 1820, later adapted as a survey barque - as she is portrayed here, under full sail. This museum-quality model is made entirely from wood with cotton sails and extensive rigging. She measures 46cm long and 35cm high.