SubMayRine 2026: The LEGO ARA San Juan Submarine MOC, Argentina's Lost Submarine in 1:260 Scale
In This Article
SubMayRine 2026 has arrived! And it starts with a vessel that carries real weight. The ARA San Juan was lost on 15 November 2017 with 44 souls aboard in the South Atlantic. This 1:260 scale MOC is the first Argentinian submarine in the entire Bobby Brix collection, and it exists because two fans asked for it.
SubMayRine 2026 Has Begun!
SubMayRine is an almost-annual event on The Bobby Brix Channel on YouTube, a month-long celebration dedicated entirely to micro and mini-scale LEGO submarine builds. Every May, new MOCs are revealed, histories are explored, and the collection grows. This year's edition is particularly ambitious: the focus is on 1:260 scale submarines from a wider range of eras and countries than SubMayRine has ever featured before.
The first reveal of SubMayRine 2026 is the ARA San Juan and it's a big one! Not just because it's the first Argentinian subject in the entire Bobby Brix MOC catalogue, but because of the story behind the submarine itself.
The ARA San Juan: A Brief History
The ARA San Juan (S-42) was a TR-1700-class diesel-electric submarine in service with the Argentine Navy. Built in West Germany by Thyssen Nordseewerke, she was laid down on 18 March 1982, launched on 20 June 1983, and entered active service on 19 November 1985. She was named after the Argentine province of San Juan which is a tradition in the Argentine Navy, where all submarines carry the prefix ARA (Armada de la República Argentina) and are named for provinces.
During her service life, San Juan participated in numerous exercises alongside other navies. One of her most notable moments came in 1994, during the FleetEx 2/94 exercise with the United States Navy, where she successfully evaded detection by US anti-submarine forces for the entire duration of the war game. She even managed penetrating the destroyer screen to "sink" the command ship USS Mount Whitney. She underwent a mid-life overhaul between 2008 and 2013, though budget constraints extended the process significantly.
💡 Did You Know?
Among the 44 crew members aboard ARA San Juan when she disappeared was Lieutenant Eliana Krawczyk. She was Argentina's first female submarine officer. Her presence on the mission had been a source of national pride. She was only 35 years old at the time of the tragedy.
The Tragedy of November 2017
In early November 2017, San Juan took part in a naval exercise near Tierra del Fuego, then made a brief port call to Ushuaia before setting course for her home base at Mar del Plata. On the night of 14 November, in rough seas, her commander reported that water had entered the snorkel, causing a short circuit and fire in the forward battery compartment. The fire was brought under control, the forward batteries were disconnected, and San Juan continued on aft battery power, ordered to return directly to Mar del Plata.
Her last transmission was received at 07:19 on 15 November 2017. When she failed to report twice to her command, a search and rescue operation was launched. Within hours of that last contact, a hydroacoustic anomaly consistent with an implosion was detected in the vicinity of her last known position. The Argentine Navy, joined eventually by ships and aircraft from 19 countries (including the UK, the US, Brazil, Russia and Chile) searched an area the size of Spain across the South Atlantic. On 30 November, after 15 days, the rescue phase was formally abandoned. All 44 crew members were presumed dead.
The wreck was found on 16 November 2018, exactly one year and one day after the disappearance, by the private search vessel Seabed Constructor operated by Ocean Infinity. San Juan lay at a depth of 907 metres (2,976 feet), some 460 km (286 miles) southeast of Comodoro Rivadavia. The hull was crushed by the pressure of the water, which was consistent with a catastrophic implosion. Argentina declared a national day of mourning. The 44 are remembered as being on eternal patrol.
As of 2026, a criminal trial is ongoing in Río Gallegos, Argentina, with four former senior Navy officers facing charges of dereliction and negligent destruction in connection with the disaster. The case remains unresolved, and the families of the crew are still seeking answers.
The Bobby Brix ARA San Juan MOC
SubMayRine was always about treating its MOCs with respect for their history and the ARA San Juan is no exception here. This MOC was built in response to direct requests from two fans on The Bobby Brix YouTube Channel and Discord Server (big thank you to them!). It also marks a genuine milestone for BOBBY BRIX: the first ever Argentinian themed LEGO MOC to appear in the Bobby Brix MOC catalogue.
The model is also built to a precise 1:260 scale, matching the same scale used across the broader Bobby Brix submarine collection.
LEGO ARA SAN JUAN SUBMARINE MOC
| NAME | ARA San Juan (S-42), TR-1700-class |
| Navy | Argentine Navy (Armada de la República Argentina) |
| Scale | 1:260 |
| Piece Count | 195 pieces (without display stand) |
| Versions Available | Submarine only · Submarine + Display Stand |
| Event | SubMayRine 2026 — Week 1 |
| First Argentinian MOC | Yes (and not the last one either!) |
| Format | Premium PDF building instructions + XML & CSV parts list |
What's Included in the Building Instructions
Both versions of the ARA San Juan MOC are available as premium digital building instructions, designed to the same standard as the rest of the Bobby Brix catalogue. Each download includes a full step-by-step PDF building guide and both an XML and CSV parts list. These files will help you source the required pieces via BrickLink, Rebrickable, or your preferred parts vendor.
Here's a tutorial on how to buy parts using XML or CSV files: https://store.bobbybrix.com/blogs/news/how-to-buy-lego-parts-using-xml-or-csv-files-from-premium-instructions
The submarine-only version uses just under 200 pieces and is the cleaner display option if you want the model to stand on its own or be integrated into a larger scene or naval diorama.
The submarine with display stand version adds a dedicated stand that elevates the model and makes it a more complete shelf piece. The display stand version is ideal if you're building out a collection of Bobby Brix submarine MOCs and want a consistent display format across them.
Both are available now in the store via the links below!
Who Is This For?
The Bobby Brix ARA San Juan MOC is a natural fit for LEGO submarine and naval MOC builders, fans of the Bobby Brix SubMayRine series, military history enthusiasts with an interest in Cold War-era diesel submarines and Argentine naval history, and anyone who wants to build a respectful tribute to a vessel and crew that the world hasn't forgotten.
It's also a meaningful addition for any builder working on a 1:260 scale submarine fleet display.
In any way, the ARA San Juan fills a gap in the collection that no other commercially available LEGO-compatible build currently covers.
