Plastic boat model S. M. Français Le Surcouf1/350

New mold with over 60 pieces, plus a presentation base, and an additional 12 photo-etched parts for the presentation plaque and deck railings. 2 MB.411 planes included.

The construction of the submarine Surcouf began on July 1, 1927, in Cherbourg. The laying of keel number 4 started on October 3, 1927, and the launch took place on November 18, 1929, in the presence (only) of the Maritime Prefect of the Channel in the Napoleon III basin. It's worth noting the absence of journalists and photographers, a way to protect the secrecy surrounding this new type of submarine.

A palisade conceals it from prying eyes in the Napoleon III basin. The year 1931 was dedicated to dive tests.

The Surcouf performed its first static dive on June 23, it dove to 35 meters on September 28, and to 65 meters on October 21. On October 4, 1932, the Surcouf left Cherbourg for an endurance and "patriotic" cruise that took it to Casablanca, Agadir, Konakry, and Dakar. Upon return to Cherbourg on November 15, it had covered 6,005 miles.

On December 31, 1932, the Surcouf entered active service in Cherbourg as part of the 1st submarine flotilla.
It was then equipped with a twin turret of 203 mm guns and a reconnaissance seaplane.

The Surcouf underwent final armament on April 16, 1934, assigned to the 4th submarine squadron (ESM) in Brest on June 1. In 1935, it was assigned to the 2nd submarine flotilla in Brest, from where it set sail on December 5 for a patriotic cruise commemorating the tricentennial of the attachment of the West Indies to France.

In dry dock in Brest during the German invasion, the Surcouf sought refuge in Plymouth, England, using only its electric motors and on the surface.

The Surcouf set sail from Bermuda on February 12 towards the Panama Canal. Traveling with all lights extinguished, in the night of February 18, an American cargo ship, the Thomson-Lykes, collided with and sank it 75 miles from the Panama Canal (officially accepted version).

Of the 130 sailors on board, there were no survivors. Under the Free French Naval Forces (FNFL) flag, the Surcouf carried out 15 raids, 15 patrols, escorted 5 convoys, and covered 35,000 miles.