French Elan class Avisos

[ptdockyard]

Hello,
I am working on a casting master for a 1/600 kit of a Free French Elan class sloop. I believe the following ones operated with the Allies in the Mediterranean ( Operation Dragoon)in 1944:

Commandant Bory
La Boudeuse
Commandant Delage
Commandant Dominé
La Gracieuse
La Moqueuse


Can anyone provide operational details for the ships in the Med 1944-45? Also, what were they armed with? Post war photos show a 40mm Bofors before the bridge but some ships carried the 2pdr PomPom. I found a photo of Commadant-Rivière in Italian service as FR 52 and she still had the Hotchkiss quadruple 13.2,, in this position. Did any operate with the Allies using the original quad 13.2mm?

Dave G.
The PT Dockyard

[capu.rossu]

Hello dave,
At the begening of the war, this sloop have a quadruple mounting of 13,2 machines guns.
In 1944, after refit in Bermudes the sloops of the 6th Escadrille d'Avisos (sloop based in Marocco in 1942) have a 40 mm Bofors forward and a twin 90 mm aft and while the sloops of the 1st escadrille (ex- FNFL) have a 2 pdr forward and a twin 102 mm aft.
After the war, they have all a twin 90 mm aft, a 40 mm bofors forward and six 20 mm.

Regards
Alain
(you know me also as Capu Rossu of Südwall)

[ptdockyard]

Thank you! :D Are there any published sources on these ships?

Dave G.
The PT Dockyard

[capu.rossu]

Hello Dave,
You can write to the SHM (Service Historique de la Marine) to obtain a photocopy of the part concerning the arms of this ship in the Devis de Campagne. This document was done by the captain when he left the ship and include all equipement and modifications during the time of her command.
This documents were preseved at Vincennes, Brest or Toulon.
I have only the "devis" of the Chevreuil (647 tonnes class).
Service historique de la défense
Château de Vincennes
Avenue de Paris
94306 Vincennes cedex

or

Service historique de la défense
BP 46
29240 Brest Armées

or

Service historique de la défense
BP 45
83800 Toulon Armées

good luck in your search.

regards
Alain

[chevreuil]

Bonjour.Le Chevreuil sur lequel j etait embarque en1956 etait arme d un 105 allemand a l arriere ,j ai plusieures photos de ce batiment si vous etes interesse,je puis vous les faire parvenir Alain

[Bertrand Magueur]

All these ships are fully described (technical sheet, history, linedrawings, pictures) in the Navires&Histoire HS04.

Yours sincerelly.

For more information, please refer to the following link (English translation and international orders available there)
http://www.avions-bateaux.com/fr/magazi ... v_789.html