White Ensign Models 1/700 K716 HMS Sussex 1942 Royal Navy County Class Cruiser Kit

Sussex was launched on 22nd February 1928 by Hawthorn Leslie at Hebburn, and completed in March 1929. The outbreak of war delayed a planned refit intended to add, amongst other things, a side armour belt, and then during routine machinery repairs on the Clyde, she was hit by a bomb on 22nd November 1940. Being unmanned, she was quickly gutted by fire and a serious explosion, at which point the decision was made to flood her in order to minimise further damage to the ship and surrounding yard. As a result, Sussex capsized and settled on the bottom of the basin. She was later refloated and repaired, finally recommissioning in August 1942, when she joined the Home Fleet. The following year she went to the Far East, before a refit lasting from June 1944 to March 1945. After a time with the 5th Cruiser Squadron, Sussex went into reserve in 1946, being sold for scrap in 1950.