Marcel-Berson 411

[Brian]

Hi guys

One for our French experts. According to what I have gleaned from various websites, HMS Fidelity (a converted French merchantman) was carrying the French submarine Surcouf's two Marcel-Berson 411 seaplanes when she was sunk on the last day of 1942. If this is correct, who were the aircrew?

Therefore, when Surcouf was lost in mysterious circumstances in February 1942 (possibly sunk by US aircraft), she was not carrying her seaplanes.

Can anyone confirm the above etc

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

Will look further, but according website http://uboat.net/allies/merchants/ship.html?shipID=2560 one of the seaplanes had taken off, only to crash.
Crew were picked up by a Canadian destroyer.

Regards,

Leendert

[Leendert]

Brian,

There (also) seems to be some controversy: other sources say that the seaplanes were Kingfishers....

Full story here: http://www.gordonmumford.com/ons-154.htm

Scroll down to (e.g.) 28 December 1942.
One of the Kingfishers was lost that day, while the other apparently went down with HMS Fidelity when sunk.

Regards,

Leendert

[Brian]

Hi Leendert

Most interesting. I note that the Royal Navy did have a handful of Kingfishers (FN serial numbers?) but I don't know their fates. Of course they were operated mainly by the USN but I haven't found a loss for this date as yet. Any ideas, guys?

And what was the fate of the Marcel-Berson 411s?

Cheers
Brian

[Leendert]

Brian,

Kingfisher I: FN680/FN749 (US Navy OS2U-3 BuNo 09513/09582).

Something about the Surcouf here: http://anciens-cols-bleus.net/les-cl...couf-t8139.htm

incl. pics and drawings of MB-411.

Among the submarine's complement on the day it was lost I couldn't find a name whose trade had something to do with flying...

I suspect the MB-411s were left in France when the Surcouf made it to England in May 1940.
Given the time it would have taken to (dis)assemble the seaplane, its capability probably would have been quite restricted during the war.

Regards,

Leendert