Life preservers

[mylo]

Question:

Were life preservers on the side of U-Boat towers Red or Black during wartime ? .....I'm thinking black.

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Hi Mylo,

I've seen original color

Hi Mylo,

I've seen original color photos that show the life rings (horseshoe collars) as being either red or orange. The age of the photos makes it difficult to tell the exact color. It's my understanding that the life rings were only installed on the towers when in port and traveling to/from port.

-Jeff

[mylo]

So, is what your saying

So, is what your saying that while "on patrol", U-Boats didn't have these rings mounted on the tower but instead, only had them in place while to/from port ? Given that, would it not be authentic to model the tower with, or without these rings mounted ?

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

I am not certain that

I am not certain that the practice of removing the life rings was truly uniform across the Ubootwaffe, but I would tend to leave them on an operating R/C sub if for no other reason that the bit of orange/red greatly aids me in controlling the boat underwater.

-Jeff

[hooverfan]

Oh boy

Mylo
Just how much detail will we be expecting from your excellent U-boat?? You've been researching photo etching, although the decking looks great enough as-is! Also, We know you are madly researching the flack guns... I can only assume that if you keep this up, you will end up building a +-%90 accurate representation.
I'm currently drawing 1/25 electric torps at work and it's gotten me into trouble heh The large dia torpedoes will be much easier to produce and can be quite a toy by themselves.
So How do I sign up for your first run?

[mylo]

Hoover,

Yes, I figured this

Hoover,

Yes, I figured this would happen. What started out as a toy boat to play with, is slowly morphing into a fine scale representation. I am trying to keep the focus of my VIIc/41 build as being an operational r/c sub for going on patrol with and not a display piece that I'm too afraid to touch for fear of breaking something. That focus is why the parts for my sub are more robust than they are frail......as much as I could make them anyway.

....BUT

The more digging around I'm doing trying to figure out just how I'm going to build these flak guns, the more I find processes like photo etching of value. I just can't seem to cast the real fine stuff from resin. Of course, it will also need decals, so I've been trying to figure that out too. I like detail, it's my nemesis. It's why I LOVE those OTW boats so much, and why I find myself adding as much as is reasonably possible on my VIIc/41 build.

So, to answer your question: "How much detail can you expect on my VIIc/41"

You can expect as much detail that is "reasonably" possible for me to create while maintaining a boat that is user friendly to cart down to your local pond and play with, not to mention be completed as per my 2007 time line. It will be far from a museum piece, but I also think there will be enough detail that it will make for a decent display model while not out on patrol......if you've got a 9' fireplace mantle. I'm quite happy with the level of detail and accuracy I've captured to date, I'm sure most bubble heads will think it's pretty cool when they see it.

My first PUBLIC run will be when I have the thing thoroughly tested and working flawlessly. I'm planning on making the 2008 Regatta ('07 isn't going to happen for me) and bring the beast with me. If you want to see the thing in the flesh, plan on making the '08 regatta.

As for the torps, yep, that will be fun making and playing with those all on their own. 1:25 scale will make for some good size torpedos to work with. I wonder if that's big enough to make good working electrics ?

Jeff, As for your "help you see it" comment, I never thought of that, excellent point. Like you pointed out, there really isn't much colour on these things. Bright red/orange they shall be.

Mylo