Type VII Bow Hydrovanes

[u-552]

Hello everyone. I was wondering if someone could tell me if Type VII u-boats
had bow hydrovane tensioners fitted, or is this an item that has been added using artistic licence, eg red lower hull colour, looking at photos even drydock pics, I can,t really determine if they were fitted. Any help would be much appreciated.

[raalst]

what do you mean by

what do you mean by tensioners ? wires ?

[JWLaRue]

Most definitely, the forward hydrovanes

Most definitely, the forward hydrovanes (bow planes) had tension cables attached. Actually, they were attached to the bow plane guards as can be seen in this photo:



This is a good example showing where the U-995 does not represent her class as they existed during WW2.

-Jeff

[u-552]

Thanks Jeff. Your a legend

Thanks Jeff. Your a legend mate !! I,ve never seen that pic before. I really have never have known what they would have been called , either wires or tensioners , I just guessed tensioners !! And now i,ve got a good excuse to buy more reference books !! And yeah it does show the difference in the boats.

[raalst]

I thought these wires were

I thought these wires were to prevent the boat from snagging mine cables and nets.
do they have another function ?

[JWLaRue]

u-552,

Always glad to help where/when

u-552,

Always glad to help where/when I can!

Ronald,

It's my understanding that the primary purpose was to maintain a proper tension on the bow plane guards so as to prevent the axle of the bow planes from becoming bent. But like the configuration of the forward bow-to-conning tower antenna and the rudder skeg, I have heard that guarding against mines (specifically mine cables) was also a design function.

That said, I have not gained this information from primary sources.....!

-Jeff

[mylo]

Dang.....completely missed that detail on

Dang.....completely missed that detail on my VIIc/41.

Mylo

[u-552]

Yep, the more I look

Yep, the more I look the more I see !!! Stand-off scale I call it !!

[u-552]

Hi, everyone.
Ronald thats a

Hi, everyone.
Ronald thats a point about them I never considered.