|
SURCOUF
SUBMARINE 1932
Surcouf was the largest
French submarine. She was the largest submarine
ever built until surpassed by the first Japanese I-400-class
submarine in 1944.
The Washington Naval Treaty had placed strict limits on
naval construction by the major naval powers in regards
to displacements and artillery calibers of battleships
and cruisers. However, no accords were filed in motion
for light ships. To ensure the country's protection and
that of the empire, France mounted the construction of a
large important submarine fleet (79 units in 1939).
Submarine Surcouf had a twin-gun turret with 203 mm
(8-inch) guns, the same caliber as that of a heavy
cruise, provisioned with 600 rounds. Surcouf was
designed as an "underwater heavy cruiser", intended to
seek and engage in surface combat.
For reconnaissance
purposes, the submarine carried a Besson
MB.411 observation floatplane in a hangar built abaft of
the conning tower. The plane could be used to direct
fire out to the guns' 26 mi (23 nmi; 42 km) maximum
range.
The boat was equipped with 10 torpedo tubes: four 550 mm
(22 in) torpedo tubes in the bow, and two swiveling
external launchers in the aft superstructure, each with
one 550mm and two 400 mm (16 in) torpedo tubes. Eight
550mm and four 400mm reloads were carried. The 203mm/50
Modèle 1924 guns were in a pressure-tight turret forward
of the conning tower. The guns had a 60-round magazine
capacity and were controlled by a director with a 5 m
(16 ft) rangefinder, mounted high enough to view an
11 km (5.9 nmi; 6.8 mi) horizon, and able to fire within
three minutes after surfacing. Using the boat's
periscopes to direct the fire of the main guns, the
submarine Surcouf could
increase this range to 16 km (8.6 nmi; 9.9 mi.)
Anti-aircraft cannon and machine guns were mounted on
the top of the hangar.
Surcouf also carried a 4.5 m (14 ft 9 in) motorboat, and
contained a cargo compartment with fittings to restrain
40 prisoners or lodge 40 passengers. The submarine's
fuel tanks were very large; enough fuel for a 10,000 nmi
range and supplies can last for 90-days.
This primarily wood Surcouf submarine model is
22"
long x 6" tall x 4" wide (1/200)
$1,790
 Shipping and insurance in
the contiguous USA included.
Other places: $300 flat rate. This model is in stock and
can be shipped within five business days.
For different sizes,
contact us for a quote:
Services@ModelShipMaster.com.
For different
French submarine, click here:
Le Saphir.
Learn more about the
Surcouf submarine here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_submarine_Surcouf
|
