Long Flood Hole ??

[mylo]

Need more clarification on something.

Just what is that long narrow gap that exists just above the saddle tanks on pictures of U-995 as well as other type VIIcs and VIIc/41s ? Is this a loooooong flood hole ? Does this same gap exist on all VIIc/41s ? Does this gap serve any other purpose than to flood the outer hull, maybe it was needed to flood the main internal ballast tank located under the control area of the sub ? I do not know, and am asking.




I do not know what boat exactly this picture is of, or when the photo was taken, but that long gap is seen just above the saddle tank in the area of the conning tower.

I'm at the point of wondering whether I need to cut this gap out of my type VIIc/41.....still not totally sure.

Thanks for any feedback.

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Hi Mylo,

That is indeed a

Hi Mylo,

That is indeed a free flood area. The ballast tank valves are located along the top of the saddle tanks and inboard of that long slot area. That 'gap' exists on all Type VII's.....at least I've never seen one without one.

-Jeff

[mylo]

Jeff,

That answers my question.

Jeff,

That answers my question. I've got some cutting to do.

Was it all one big slot, or were there little braces in there for support every so often ?

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Hi Mylo,

Yes...on both counts.

The hull

Hi Mylo,

Yes...on both counts.

The hull 'skin' is cut as one long slot. Visible behind it are the individual frames.

When building my Type VII's, I've always cut the long slot into the hull and then epoxied brass wire on the inner surface of the hull, along the slot, to both represent the frames and to provide the means to hold that now long thin piece of fiberglass in place. (my preference in building these boats is to avoid all internal full frames)

-Jeff

[mylo]

Jeff,

In examining the photos

Jeff,

In examining the photos I have, that seems to be the best way to model that area. Finally, how many supports per side ?

Thanks for clarifying this for me.

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Mylo,

I don't have a count

Mylo,

I don't have a count off the top of my head, but the frame spacing on a Type VII was (if memory serves) 60cm (23.6+ inches).......

-Jeff

[sam reichart]

Jeff,

In examining the photos

Jeff,

In examining the photos I have, that seems to be the best way to model that area. Finally, how many supports per side ?

Thanks for clarifying this for me.

Mylo

I thought there was one support inside and in line with the rivet lines you see above the slot, all the way across the opening.

[JWLaRue]

Hi Sam!

There are a series

Hi Sam!

There are a series of vertical rivet lines......each located where a frame is. Are we talking about the same thing?

-Jeff

[sam reichart]

Hi Sam!

There are a series

Hi Sam!

There are a series of vertical rivet lines......each located where a frame is. Are we talking about the same thing?

-Jeff

hi Jeff...
yep... that's what I was referring to...

[mylo]

So, is what we are

So, is what we are saying is that there is a support at each location where there is a rivet line along the entire length of that long opening ? This makes sense to me as the same framing for the outer hull rivets would continue up the hull and be exposed at this opening.....if I understand correctly.

Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Hi Mylo,

Correct, the frames are

Hi Mylo,

Correct, the frames are visible in/along that long slot.

-Jeff

[dougie995]

Hi guys,

The image below shows

Hi guys,

The image below shows the thin supports -



In addition to these thin supports there were also two thick supports per side. These can be seen in the image of U 47 below -



Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Dougie

[don prince]

Here is a view from

Here is a view from under the deck.... I have posted this before.

Regards,
Don_



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[mylo]

Fantastic photo Don,

Dougie, your

Fantastic photo Don,

Dougie, your pics are definitive for this area.

thanks gents.


Mylo

[JWLaRue]

Dougie,

I've never been certain that

Dougie,

I've never been certain that those are thicker frame/supports or an illusion due to a lighter color of grey being used......

Any insights?

-Jeff