Another release for our 6MM age of sail naval wargaming fans, Le Renard (The Fox) is a famed small cutter for your war gaming board! She packs a punch for her small size with 10 carronades and 4 light canons. Historically this was so much weight in firepower, that in heavy weather much of her armament was stowed below for safety!

Corsairs were privateers, authorized to attack vessels of nations at war with France. Captured vessels and the cargo within were sold -with proceeds split between the government, the owners, and the crew. Possession of a valid letter of marque and conduct according to admiralty law was required. ‘lettre de marque’ or ‘lettre de course’ may possibly have given corsairs their name.

Because corsairs gained a swashbuckling reputation, the word corsair is also incorrectly used generically as a synonym for pirates. While some corsairs practiced piracy, smuggling, extorting passing ships for tribute, and illegal trade on occasion, over history corsairs generally were legal privateers and not pirates.

One of the greatest corsair ports was Saint-Malo. Famed corsair Robert Surcouf operated in the Indian ocean from 1789 to 1801, then again from 1807 to 1808, capturing over 40 prizes. He later amassed a large fortune as a privateer ship owner.

Le Renard was launched in 1812 -owned and outfitted by Robert Surcouf. It was Surcouf’s last privateer ship. Le Renard cruised under Captain Aimable Savueur until august 1813 when command went to Emmanuel Leroux Desrochettes. On September 9th 1812, at 5pm, Le Renard engaged 10 gun schooner HMS Alphea, crewed by a disputed crew size of 35-41 (English Sources), or 80 (French sources). The battle ran into the night and was intense and bloody. At 3:30 am Alphea took two direct hits from Renard, apparently to the powder barrel or the magazine and exploded- there were no survivors. Floating items were thrown, but Renard’ s boats were shot up to the point of not being able to be launched. Renard lost five crew in action and 31 more were wounded, including her captain, who’s arm was shot away. He later died of his injuries and Renard returned to France with only 13 able-bodied men.

This kit features a hi res SLA hull and rig bits, wood and floral wire masts. She comes un-assembled, and un-painted. This is a skill level 3 kit, and contains very small delicate parts and requires hobby skills to assemble. the ship’s hull measures 68x22MM.