Sm Surcouf Model

[halfyank]

This is only my 2nd ship model, and the first I've tried to weather. I can see all it's faults, but I keep trying to make each one better than the last. It's the old 1/400 Heller kit, made out of the box. The only thing added was some wire for the rigging.

[DirtyDick]

Very nice.

When France fell, the Surcouf arrived in the UK following an independent patrol in the West Indies. Given that the submarine had not worked with the RN, upon arrival the crew were rather loathe to hand it over to the British, where it would form a part of the Free French Navy working under the RN. IIRC, 3 British sailors - including a sub CO - and two French were killed during the forcible takeover.

The Surcouf went on to serve until c.1943, when she disappeared whilst on patrol (I believe in the West Indies/South Atlantic region).

Cheers
Richard

[halfyank]

Originally posted by DirtyDick@May 28 2005, 05:04 AM
Very nice.


The Surcouf went on to serve until c.1943, when she disappeared whilst on patrol (I believe in the West Indies/South Atlantic region).

Cheers
Richard

Quoted post

The excepted explanation for her disappearance was that she was rammed in a collision with an American freighter. There are some conspiracy theory types who claim the Free French crew didn't like being under Allied control and wanted to return to France, so she was sunk to prevent this. I never like conspiracy theories, and this sounds less likely than most to me.

[DirtyDick]

I agree. Surcouf was relatively old and did have a big gun turret - not always a good combination for an overworked submarine.

It was standard practice for all Free subs to have aboard an RN liason officer and pair of communications ratings (sig. and teleg.): don't know off the top of my head if they did when she sank.

Cheers
Richard