Abstract The paper presents the validation of a 1D compressor model (1DCM) applied to the simulation of deep-surge operation. The compressor is described following an enhanced map-based approach, where proper "virtual pipes" are placed upstream and downstream the compressor to deal with the mass and energy storage and wave propagation effects. The proposed methodology, which takes into account main flow and thermal loss mechanisms, is based on the employment of "extended" compressor maps obtained through a steady version of the 1DCM. The tuning and validation of the 1DCM have been carried out comparing its results with the experimental data. Preliminarily, the steady version of the 1DCM is tuned against to the measured map for various rotational speeds. Subsequently, it is used to derive the extended map, including both direct and reverse flow branches. Finally, the unsteady version of the 1DCM is validated against experimental data denoting a satisfactory agreement, especially in terms of pulse frequency, amplitude and global shape. Summarizing, the proposed model, combining the reduced computational effort typical of 1D simulation with the adoption of advanced features such as "virtual pipe" and extended compressor map, shows the capability to capture the phenomenology of the compressor surging.