Recent uboat pictures

[Von Hilde]

Rundipol antenna. Put on the schnorkle head late in the war. Initially located on the bridge, in several different positions, according to the type of boat. Some type IXs had retractables located in the fairing on the port side that houses the radar like on the u899 picture above,in the round hole forward of the FUMO box or between the scopes housing lie the picture of the guy holding the TUNIS. The schnorkle mounted ones were in addition to the bridge mounts so several type IXs had two and the XXIs had two. Im not sure about the type VIIs. I presume they were installed invarious places on each boat at the kaptain's request. An important detail on models one shouldnt overlook. I scratch build them quite easily. Depending on the scale, use a piece of fine brass screene. a sequin with a center hole, for the base, a brass finishing nail, for the mount, and pieces of .10 guitar (E string) for the twin poles

[greenman407]

Priceless Info.

[Von Hilde]

Nice detail of the Horchgerat, directional microphone, on the fordeck of the boat in the foreground of the u234. Never saw one extended and up that close as to see the attachment of the microphone to the pedistal. Thats the one that is turned by the sonarman's wheel to get the bearing of the target

[greenman407]

Yes, it was an unremarkable picture of U234. I only saved it because of that Mic.

[greenman407]

[Von Hilde]

That type XXI schnorkle head is either U 2513 or 3008. both boats were stationed here. Niether one had the rundipole on the top, when they were here. I dont know why. Perhaps they were removed in New London the period they were there going thru the deengineering stage before getting recommissioned in the USN. In all the pics Ive seen takin here after the war, they dont have it. I have been to the wreck of the 2513 where it was sunk during ASROC tests after it became cost effective to operate the old girl. Its now a great dive spot, and loaded with bigassed mutton snappers and jacks. The boat was prity much stripped before sinking, and the rockets didnt do it any favors so there isnt much left to check out.

[greenman407]

I just came across some more Uboat pictures....some of which....you have not seen before. Heres a couple of TEASERS!

[Von Hilde]

thats Oblt. Oskar Curio with the rundipol. He was on the U952 most of the war untill late 44, did 5 war patrols and got two Iron crosses, then went to a training command for the new elektrobootz

[greenman407]

I was very impressed with that picture of the Uboat "Flak Trap". Never seen a AA platform on the front of the conning tower before. Ill post all the pictures that I have of that first then on to others.

[Von Hilde]

There were 7 U flak type VIIc that were converted to flak boats initially with the 37mm forward and the virling 20 on the back as well as the twin 20s on the upper deck, June 43, to run escort with the wolfpak across the bay of Biscay at hig speed. The RAF was taken by surprise at first, when the first boat, U256 was completed and was used as a decoy to lure the planes close. After that the RAF hooked up with the hunter killer destroyers to direct them to the U Boats. The boats were ineffective after that and were converted back to attack boats within 3 months. The flakboats had only 5 torpedos in the tubes, as the extra space for The reserves was for the added gun crewmen. U 441 had the first experimental 37mm forward since the 256 had delays in construction and it also had a bunch of 87mm line carrying rockets to foul attacking aircraft. This did not work out and was soon abandoned. Besides the 7 actual flak boats several other boats were equipped with a forward flak deck for thr 37 and the quad20 for a short period. Was wondering about the scale of the model in the pictures. 1/72 scale flakvirlings are available in plastic, from Italy, but the barrels are too fat and need to be changed with the Griffon models brass ones to look right. There are various quads available in larger scale for the bigger models, if one would want to add weapons to convert .

[greenman407]

[greenman407]

[greenman407]

[greenman407]

In the next to the last picture on U852, notice the compartments on top of the first "wintergarden", next to the flag. Ammunition boxes?.

[MFR1964]

Mark,

Those containers are the storage units of the little tow helicopter, called Bachelstelze, some boats used them to detect victims earlier, the drum before those containers has the electric winch inside.

Manfred.