Richelieu (1939) — French Battleship Model, 30 in
Richelieu (1939) — French Battleship Model, 30 in
How big is it?
Length about 76 cm / 30.0 in. Drawn to scale; the model outline is a simplified shape.
Model details
- Size
- 30 in / 76 cm
- Construction
- Handcrafted
- Condition
- Fully assembled, ready to display
- Display
- Wooden base with brass nameplate
- Collection
- Battle Ship Models
- Item no.
- CM454
The name ship of France's last battleship class, at 30 inches.
Specification
- 30 inches
- Handcrafted hull and superstructure
- Forward-grouped quadruple main turrets and secondary armament
- Distinctive raked funnel-and-mast structure
- Mounted on a display base with nameplate
- Fully assembled
History
Launched in 1939, Richelieu was rushed to Dakar as France collapsed. What followed is one of the strangest sequences of the war.
In July 1940 the Royal Navy attacked her at anchor to stop her falling into German hands. In September a British and Free French force tried to take Dakar outright and she fought them off. In November 1942 French West Africa joined the Allies, and Richelieu sailed to New York for a full refit in an American yard — the same navy that had been shooting at her sister ship weeks earlier.
She then served with the British Eastern Fleet against Japan, and was present in Tokyo Bay area waters at the end of the war.