Type VIIc U-boat schnorchel pipes plus queries

[bobsyouruncle]

Hi Gents, does anyone know if anybody makes any of the pipes for the schnorchel equipped Viic’s in 72nd scale? By these I mean the outlet pipe that comes out of the deck on the starboard side of the tower and the one which some versions have at mid height going around the port side of the tower (the one which connects to the schnorchel mast itself)? Been searching but not found anything yet. Thanks.

[bobsyouruncle]

It's looking like these pipes are going to be a small scratch building project as I've not been able to find anything online, although I did see they used to be available on shapeways.

It slightly surprises me, though, when the pipe that's just above deck height on the starboard side of the tower looks to be fitted to all VIIC's / c/41s that had a schnorchel and it being a fairly popular kit? Might be a bit of fun to work on though.

[Alan P]

I've not seen any, the loss of Shapeways in its old incarnation was a great loss indeed 😔

 

I've seen 3D-printed schnorkel heads without the piping, but the pipes themselves shouldn't be too difficult to make if you have some good references. This site has some great photos of the retrofit schnorkel piping on some of the Type IXs.

https://www.rcnhistory.org/bowie-uboats.htm

 

The Type VIICs did vary depending on where/how the schnorkel was fitted. On the VIIC/41s, some of the later production had integrated piping under the deck which was neater and less prone to damage.

https://dubm.de/carbon-monoxide-poisoning-and-the-forgotten-exhaust-shutoff-valve-on-the-type-viic/?lang=en

 

Edit: the article makes it clear, but I should have agreed with @bobsyouruncle that ALL Type VIIs with schnorkel had some exterior trunking! Unfortunately this is mysteriously missing on the primary existing reference for manufacturers, U-995 at Laboe.

 

 

Alan

[Little Timmy]

Are you looking for a schnorkel for a Revell 1/72 scale sub ?

Their type VII c41 kits came with them .Or are you trying to scratchbuild one ?

 

I have 3 schnorkels if you need one.

 

 

 

 

Edited May 5 by Little Timmy
Assisting the search

[bobsyouruncle]

Thanks very much Little Timmy, no, it’s the above deck piping that Alan’s linked article refers too, but thank you for that.

 

Alan, thanks for putting the links on. That second one is very interesting and goes a long way to explaining how the starboard side piping’s been left out of models (not been documented enough I guess). It also confirmed that this piping that goes just above deck height on the starboard side of the tower was on all type viics / viic/41s that were fitted with a schnorchel, although as you say, the port side pipe running around the tower halfway up was only on some boats, with others having it below deck that side (just a small protrusion through the hull casing at the schnorchel pivot point on the port side). 
 

Thanks again, will be an interesting ‘add-on’ to do.
 

 

[bobsyouruncle]

Here's question please to any Type Viic / c/41 experts out there if I may:

 

This is a crop of a still from the widely known ending of 'The Cruel Sea', showing (among others) U-281 which looks to be moored alongside others at loch Ryan, Scotland

prior to being sunk in Operation deadlight.

Can anyone please confirm what my eyes think they are seeing when looking at this lightened version (lessening the shadows) of the shot, where this area of overhanging hull side (to give crew more deck space negotiating the wider Tower) appears to have 'medium sized' drainage vents?

It also looks deeper than others I've seen in photos, ending lower than the lowest row of adjacent drainage vents?

I'm asking as I've not seen this feature on any other Type VIIC's in photos despite looking and wondered if it's unique or was seen on other boats at all?

 

 

Thanks, Bob.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Alan P]

The U-281 extended walkway 'bulge' does look deeper than others I've seen in photos, but that one's detailed enough to clearly see the drainage vents along the bottom edge. They appear to me to be D-shaped rather than the usual lozenge shape.

 

Seems to be variable if that walkway is fitted at all, suggests a local adaptation upon refitting with the Turm IV AA platforms.

This is the 'usual' appearance with quite a shallow incursion on the sides.

This Flakboot doesn't appear to have any walkway fitted, but U-673 below did, looking more like the ones you pictured. 

 

I can only join you in confirming observations, rather than establishing anything from them! 

Alan

[bobsyouruncle]

Alan, thanks for confirming that you see vents too and it’s not just my eyes playing tricks. Yes I see what you mean about ‘C’ shaped now.  That sort of figures to me, as I’ve seen that sort of thing on a larger scale around type IX U-534’s schnorchel fairings. I just hadn’t seen it on a VIIC. Yes I saw that a lot of later boats didn’t have anything there at all. Thanks.