FS Surcouf (NN-3)

Users:
French Navy
Free French Naval forces

Built: 1927
In Commission: 1934–1942

Until the final years of WW2, when the japanese I-400 class submersible aircraft carriers were built, the French Submarine Surcouf was the largest submarine ever constructed. Unique in its very heavy armament of two 203mm naval guns, the Surcouf would be the most heavily armed submarine of its day.

The origins of the Surcouf lie within the concept of the 'Cruiser Submarine' a larger submarine built primarily to use large guns on the surface with the classic armament of torpedoes being a secondary. Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare in World War I would inspire the French navy to build their own heavily armed long range submarine. A large submarine capable of roaming far out onto the ocean and picking off enemy merchant ships.

The decision to use guns as a primary weapon was influenced by the desire for a more economic weapon, something that could carry many more rounds than the normal armament of torpedoes. A fully enclosed turret would house the guns, with water tight doors at the ends of the barrels to prevent flooding.

The Surcouf was the first submarine designed with an internal space to carry and deploy an aircraft. A Besson MB-411 floatplane would be stored in a hangar and deployed for use of reconnaisance and spotting to assist the targeting of the guns. Later plans introduced the idea of deploying a Dorand G20 Gyroplane for, ironically, anti submarine usage. The invasion of France would stall further development on the G20 and Surcouf, with the former only getting a working prototype in 1947.

The Surcouf would manage to escape to England as France was conquered by the germans, however the British would sieze it to prevent it from falling into enemy hands as the French surrendered. Once captured, it would be refitted and then redeployed under the Free French Navy in August 1942.

The Surcouf would ultimately never manage to see action, as on the way toward the Panama canal it would suffer a devastating accident which sunk the submarine and killed all its crew. The cause was never confirmed, though is believed to be a collision with an American Freighter ship.

Source(s)
H.I. Sutton
Wikipedia

Features:

• Near 1:1 Scale
• Fully working bow planes and rudder
• Working ballast system
• Pair of 203mm guns
• AA guns on the deck

Instructions:
Submarine Operation
1) Pitch for pitch control, used to control depth.
2) Roll for Rudder, steers the boat
3)VTOL for ballast control, allows for floating/sinking
4)VTOL up all the way+AG8 for surface running, this will free up VTOL for use with guns.

Gun Operation
1)AG1 for 203mm guns
2)AG2 for 13mm AA
3)VTOL and Trim to aim guns.

Note: Due to water spawns dropping you in the water you may start sinking at first. Give it a moment and use the throttle and ballast and it will stop. The sub has neutral buyancy meaning that it will not sink or float unless another force acts upon it (i.e. falling from above the water, engine power, and ballast control)

At CptJacobson's request, here is the Surcouf! This thing came along surprisingly smoothly, minus some brief issues with the ballast system the model came together quickly as did the submarine and even turret functions. I also decided to put in some fine detail in this one, though in this case skipped on adding a plane instead of skipping the deck railing. I'd say probably my best looking boat yet, smooth hull and a nice amount of detail.

As long as you're out of range of the missiles, this thing can tank all the flak in the world and sink the entire Sky Park navy with its guns! The missiles won't insta kill you, but they won't take too long to start breaking stuff.