Laya
by Luis Crespo

1/700 Spanish Armada Fast Patrol Boat P 12 "Laya" (Scratchbuilt)

The real thing:

The "Laya" is a Fast Patrol Boat designed by Lürssen. She was the second of the series and was launched in 1975 and delivered to the Armada on December 21, 1976. She was the first locally built by Empresa Nacional Bazan of San Fernando (the head of class P 11 "Barceló" was built in Bremen) and owes its name to Don Mateo de Laya and Cabex, illustrious seventeenth century officer born in Pasajes, San Sebastian, who became General Admiral of the Armada.

She was the first Spanish naval vessel to be commanded by a woman.

She spent her career in Cádiz, and was retired in February 2010.

Her statistics were:

• Displacement: 134 tons full load
• Dimensions: 43.2 x 5.8 x 1.75 meters (141.5 x 19 x 5.5 feet)
• Propulsion: 2 diesels, 2 shafts, 6,120 bhp, 36.5 knots
• Crew: 19
• Armament: 1 40mm/70 AA, 1 20mm AA, 2x 12.7mm MG

The model:

My little "Laya" is scratchbuilt. I used the hull of a Dragon "Pegasus" hydrofoil as starting point and built the rest out of Evergreen pieces and PE.