Heller 81009 Marceau

Marceau (original name: Z-31) was initially a German and then a French destroyer from the Second World War and the post-war period. The keel for this unit was laid in 1940, it was launched in March 1941, and it was commissioned in Kriegsmarine in 1942. The vessel was included in the Marine Nationale in 1946. The total length of the ship at the time of launching was 127 meters and a width of 12 meters. Full displacement reached approximately 3,600 tons, and maximum speed - up to 38-39 knots. The main armament at the time of the launch included: 4 150 mm guns, 9 20 mm anti-aircraft guns and 2 quadruple 533 mm torpedo tubes. The Z-31 was the leading unit of the Type 1936A (Mob) destroyer. This type of destroyer was in turn a modification of the Type 1936 and Type 1936A units, with very similar artillery armament and combat capabilities. During World War II, the destroyer Z-31 operated mainly in the Arctic waters and the Norwegian Sea, and in December 1942 took part in the Battle of the Barents Sea. The unit luckily survived the war and found its way to France under war reparations, changing its name to Marceau. In the years 1948-1950, the unit underwent a major renovation and modernization, including the replacement of the main armament (150 mm guns were replaced with 105 mm guns) and anti-aircraft guns. After renovation and modernization, Toulon turned out to be the main base for Marceau. However, already in 1953, the unit was put into reserve, and in January 1958 it was sold for scrap.