Which U-boat would you build?

I'd build the U=96 if an after market decal sheet comes out for it. I know some sub sailors here that have the little round sawfish tatooed on their arms. It is really a cool design.

I built U-552, I was able to obtain a crew photo It is on display at the local Legion alongside HMCS Snowberry in same scale with crew photo. It brings the human element out, these were not just machines people lived there too.

I started by deciding which configuration I want to build, afterwards I do research do discover what was the most interesting U-boat to ever sail in that configuration.

I want a configuration appropriate to an era when U-boat were still scoring major successes, but war has already been going on long enough for U-boats to show improvements based combat experience. This means a boat that already had it early-war net cutters removed, but still has its deck gun, and not yet outfitted the pathetically futile snorkel and Antiaircraft artillery expansion of the late war.

I also liked the antenna bulge on the port side of the conning tower. It has combat improvement written all over it. So that rules out the Blum & Voss boats like U-552. So I am building a boat in the configuration similar to U-253.

Now I just have to find out which of U-boats that shared the same configuration as U-253 had the most interesting combat career.

Originally posted by jay_liang_CA that's interesting. about the schnorkel: what is it's purpose? when was it added to the boats? The Snorkle was a hollow shaft /mast that went through the pressure hull on Submarines. This was used while the Boot was submerged and underway at "Periscope Depth" it could be used to draw air into the boat and most importantly exhaust air or engine exhaust out of the boot. This would allow the Motors to run while the boot was submerged. Or to ventalate the boot without the need to surface for "Fresh Air". A great idea that is perfected now. But it killed many of the UBoots that first used the system. The idea of a snorkle goes back to the "Hunley" but it's practical use on active boats was around 1943 or so. Be Well/DBF Walt Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 8:58 PM I just finished building U-253. I just like the camo scheme that it had... Always liked the look of the net cutter on the upper bow but managed to resist putting it on for historical posterity. Reply Edit Jeff Herne Member since January 2003 Posted by Jeff Herne on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 5:48 PM Mine will be converted into a late war, Turm IV boat, probably U-242. Jeff Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, July 28, 2004 4:06 PM You know, I'm not sure! I've had the model for about 3 months now, and I haven't found the time to start on it yet. As far as which one I'd build, I would have to do a little research and would probably build the one with the most kills and best overall history. To bad it doesn't have decals for the U-571! Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 3:04 PM U552 Early. On Jan. 18, 1942 the U552 sank the SS Frances Salman off Cape Race, Newfoundland. I had an Uncle who was a crewman on board the Salman. Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, July 27, 2004 2:16 PM I am finishing 2 U Boats the U552 late to be converted into the U570 and the U69 that sank a canadian ferry boat with a large loss of life. Stan Goddard Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, July 1, 2004 12:26 AM that's interesting. about the schnorkel: what is it's purpose? when was it added to the boats? thanks for the responses guys! Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 27, 2004 10:12 PM I'd be going the U-552 late. I have the kit and i'm doing the U-556. If i was to do the whole fleet i'd want a little bit of variation in U-boat types such as extra anti aircraft guns and maybe a schnorkal. Reply Edit roadkill_275 Member since September 2003 From: North East Texas Posted by roadkill_275 on Sunday, June 27, 2004 5:15 PM I'm with every one else, build them all. I am trying to do a model of every Phantom II built in 1/72 so why couldn't you do the fleet? ( I have 14 of them) Kevin M. Bodkins "Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for thou art crunchy and taste good with ketchup" American By Birth, Southern By the Grace of God! www.milavia.com Christian Modelers For McCain Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, June 24, 2004 11:44 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by Dave Toews All of them... if the cash and display area where available. QUOTE: Originally posted by renarts I'm with Dave, if time and cash allow....do the fleet! LOL ..if only there was a lottery for models... Reply Edit renarts Member since April 2003 From: Sunny Florida Posted by renarts on Thursday, June 24, 2004 12:47 AM I'm with Dave, if time and cash allow....do the fleet! Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!" Reply kaleu Member since February 2003 From: Racing capital of the world- Indy Posted by kaleu on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:46 PM I want to build theU-123 if and when it comes out in kit form. Erik "Don't fruit the beer." Newest model buys: More than I care to think about. It's time for a support group. Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 11:57 AM I've got the U-203 in progress right now. Not really sure why I picked this one, although I do like the coat-of-arms on the front of the tower. One word of advice, the forward torpedo tube parts,#s 14 & 15, are too wide at the bow, I didn't check the fit first, and had a hard time with the bow seam. Reply Edit Anonymous Member since November 2005 Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 10:55 AM All of them... if the cash and display area where available. Reply Edit luke Member since December 2002 From: - Posted by luke on Wednesday, June 23, 2004 1:02 AM why not - U-552 early (out of the choices given) - but my obsession with 1/48 & 350th models dictates to me that I cannot get any subs unless in those scales Reply Anonymous Member since November 2005 Which U-boat would you build? Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 22, 2004 11:15 PM The release of Revell's 1/72 VIIC has me obsessed with u-boats. i'm going to build the kit, and i'm going nuts over which version to build. i'd like to know which version you've built, or would build, and why(just post a simple reason below the poll). it'll be interesting to see. thanks for all who participate!! Reply Edit JOIN OUR COMMUNITY! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. 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