Japan's Submarine UB I-25 - Looking for an expert

Modeling Subjects Ships
1

I am gearing up for modelling the WW II Japanese submarine UB I-25, basing it off existing models of similar submarines (I-19, or I-26).

I picked up the original postcard issued in Japan commemorating the submarine:

Now, I have noticed that this image differs considerably in markings from the other artwork I have found of the sub, such as:

Notably, the lettering of the commemorative post card, which is confirmed as being original and from Japan, is dark and differs in content. The post card was obviously of Japanese origin, the photo appearing to have been black and white and then colorized. It is conceivable that the post photo may have originally been doctored, but to have the lettering drastically different is odd.

So, what is the real deal? The lighter coloration and UBJ25 lettering in black, or the artist’s conceptions?

2

depends on the time period as in some ways you have 2 subs posted. postcard version as a regular sub with forward deck gun & the drawings version as a floatplane sub carrier with a sealed hanger in place of forward deck gun.

3

The conning tower in the post card looks more like an early Type VII German U-boat.

Perhaps Japan had one on loan.

[%-)]

4

Hello,
The submarine in the post card is UB 125. It is in fact a German WW I uboat Type UB III.
It surrendered to Japan on Nov. 20th, 1918.
The illustrations seem to refer to the Japanese I-25 submarine quite a different submarine.
Info available on the u-boat net in WW I section.

http://uboat.net/wwi/types/index.html?type=UB+III

Hope this info helps.

5

well heck… I really didn’t pay any attention at all, did I?

Of course these aren’t even the same boat!

Feeling pretty stupid, considering I spent a lot of time studying the artworks of the I-25. I hardly even paid attention to the postcard.

Thanks guys… I’ll go back to my hole now.

6

teach & learn