Recent uboat pictures

[greenman407]

[Von Hilde]

Interesting detail of the hinged access doors built into the limber holes under the prop shafts on 995. I would normally presume, that was a standard aplication on the type VIIs and not a modification on that particular boat. I wondered what was in there that had to have a hinged door, which suggests schedualed usage, but underwater hinges would have some carrosive issues, to say the least. Could be they were installed in her post war period, or even have something to do with the display period, which seems more likely. They did alot of "Cobbing together parts" on that boat, when they set up the display, with the keel stand, and the doors thru the hull, and securing the hull to the ground to make it stable.

[greenman407]

Yes, I think that you are right VonHilde, that little clasp and those tiny hinges would never stand up to combat conditions. I hadnt noticed until you spotted it.

[Von Hilde]

On the Billy Bauer underway, theres a couple unusual thingies on the forward deck, that I havent seen before. It says while undergoing tests by the Fedral Navy. Most likely acustic snoopers of somesort. They sure arn't on her now.

[MFR1964]

Those hinges have been added to the displaystand, birds made a nest inside, now they can access those places, on the wartimeboats those places could be reached by maintenance hatches placed in the sternpart of the deck.

Manfred.

[greenman407]

Thanks Manfred.

[greenman407]

[Von Hilde]

Thanks, Manfred, that explains it. I sure would like to visit that memorial and spend a few days looking around up close.

[Von Hilde]

I wonder who decided on the colors for the museum boats. And if any are actualy correct. I know they were originally painted prity much the same during construction and were re painted during their patrols acording to the theater of operations and flotillas standard cammoflage. I like the 505s blue/gray that was put on when they moved it inside. The Vessco is nice but I dont think that represents typical u boat colors, and 995 seems to glossy. To get to see the actual colors from the war years by viewing films doesnt really depict the actual color since the coloration of films wasnt an exact science back then. I have seen the color charts that tell what the names of the colors they used to paint certain parts of the boats but whos to say what shades of gray are what. And No, I didnt read the chick book, with the same name. Notice the difference in the blue, between the different POV of the 505 between the ones abovethis was outside in natural light. If a person viewing these pictures 20 or 30 years from now wants to re paint the boat, which will he choose? Most likely the pritty one.

[Von Hilde]

Curious to find out what was accessable thru hatches on the after deck of the Type VIIC, I looked at the cross section drawings and the actual DKM plans and there seems to be no man size hatches aft of the torpedo room to reach the area outside the pressure hull aft.

[greenman407]

Nice drawings VonHilde. Makes me claustrophobic just looking at them.
U505 is the boat on the right. Look at the difference in cross sectional shape and size.

[MFR1964]

Von hilde,

If you observe your pictures you can see two little hatches between the jumpwires, those are being used for reaching the antenna wire tensioners, which are located under the deck, real size is about 40x40 cm, a small guy can be squeesed in, just the same way with the hatches on top of the saddletanks, there is a third hatch located near the rear navlight, that one is used for reaching the ruddermechanism, on your drawing it's looking like a venthole, but in real live it's a open type hatch covered with bars.

[Von Hilde]

this small hole with the grill is the stern trim balast tank vent and normally has a flapper valve below it. Notice the size of the mans shoe in the backround is 4 planks wide, same as the grill opening. I knew about the 2 tensioner doors, they are quite smaller and possibly get one arm in to lube the shackle.This drawing shows the additional location of the second vent, which was ommited in the top drawing. It was missed on the Revell mold. As well as most of the Photo etched decks available for the various different scale type VII models, that used the 1938 drawing as a rule of thumb. Basicly,it was drawn for serious builders wanted a more authenticly represented deck pattern. There was a grill forward, on the starboard as well, for the front trim tank, but about an additional secondairy forward, Im not sure.

[Outrider]

The Type XXIII photos are nice inclusions. In the photo of the two XXIIIs side by side, U2336 appears to be more complete than its sister. Still, the numbering looks freehand vs stenciled. U2319's hull number is even more irregular. Indicative of some pretty tough times...

[greenman407]

Outrider, Nice to hear from you. Thanks for your comments, they are always appreciated.