Hello All,
FW 190: A tribute to GrampI stared here on FS with one of my current builds . I have, as do most of us, others builds going on. I have decided to open my thread on one of “the other ones”.
I need to play a little catch-up here…
I started my U-69 back in April 2010. I am just at the point of finally joining the 2 halves of the hull. So I will select a few photos between the start and now bringing the build up to speed. I should be able to accomplish the catch-up within a few posts. Any questions, comment and/or suggestions feel free to. This helps. I was informed of a missing vent recently on the deck near the stern and was able to correct this. These pics will be in a later post, just about at the point I am at in the build.
Thanks for stopping by, hope you enjoy!
T
A little background:
U-69
The keel was laid down on the 11th of November at Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft in Kiel. F. Krupp Germaniawerft produced 131 u-boats, which were commissioned into the Kriegsmarine in World War II along with a list of other war vassals consisting of u-boats starting with U-7 in 1935 and finishing with U-4710 in 1945.
Technical information for type VIIC
Displacement:
(tons) 769 (sf)
871 (sm)
1070 (total)
Length: (m) 67,10 oa
50,50 ph
Beam: (m) 6,20 oa
4,70 ph
Draught: (draft) 4,74 m
Height: 9,60 m
Power: (hp) 3200 (sf)
750 (sm)
Speed:
(knots) 17,7 (sf)
7,6 (sm)
Range:
(miles / knots) 8500/10 (sf)
80/4 (sm)
Torpedoes: 14
4/1 (bow / stern tubes)
Mines: 26 TMA
Deck gun: 88/45
220 rounds
Crew: 44-52 men
Max depth: ca. 220 m
(722 feet)
sm = submerged, sf = surfaced, ph = pressure hull,
oa = overall, hp = horsepower.
(from u-boat.net )
U-69 was launched on September 19th, 1940 and commissioned on November 2nd, 1940. She participated in 11 war patrols in her career and belonged to 7 wolf packs. He was a member of the 7th Flotolla (Unterseebootsflottille “Wegener”) From November of 1940 to February of 1943. Throughout her career she amassed 16 ships sunk for a total of 67,500 GRT, 1 ship damaged for a total of 4,887 GRT,1 ship a total loss for a total of 5,445 GRT before her fate on 17 Feb, 1943 in the North Atlantic east of Newfoundland. She was sunk from depth charges taking with her 46 souls. Until this point no crewmembers aboard U-69 had perished while in her commission.
The time period I hope to depict will be from the end of her 3rd patrol (thank you Dougie). All the criteria I am looking to depict are present. She is returning to St. Nazaire and has added 33,868 tons to her war chest for a total of 61,205 tons at this point. U-69 was commanded by Kptlt. Jost Metzler (Knights Cross). Metzler would leave on the 4th patrol with u-69 only to be stricken ill within days from leaving St. Nazaire.
I am still learning as I go here. The subtle differences between the boats are becoming more apparent. I will be ordering some of the critical add-on kits to help me along the way. Starting with the PhotoEtch: Flood & Vent set (U-Brass/WEM #PE 7232). Below are a couple of shots from the beginning stages of my build. I started opening the flood vents along the hull in preparation of a delivery of my add-on.
Upon her launching:
These are only a few of the 7 confirmed shots that exist. I have a couple of unconfirmed ones as well. All research I have relied heavily on other builders, AMP Forum as well as websites dedicated to information about U-boats.
Enough said, the build:
“Oil Canning” effect…natural bending of metal under pressure
Opening of vent holes:
Repositioning “bumps”, which I have just found out are related to pressure for the torpedo tube, Adding correct number of radio/sonar sensors(copper and brass discs) to the bow, filling improper drainage holes above anchor well and repositioning of the anchor well about 10mm forward:
I have since removed the doubler welds in preparation for adding ALL new rivets, I will be making them again
New torpedo doors will be added, excellent add-on from AMP
Added missing saddle drainage holes
The beginnings of a scratch pressure hull. Not really seem when model is done, but will eliminate the “empty” look
Modelbrass Add-on PE
Added lower vents from Modelbrass
Aluminum cans make for a nice finish
Working on bow section…
Inner torpedo hatch will be removed…in real life it would be behind the outer door…
PE from Eduard…mix and match…
Pressure hull in, saddle tank extensions on and filling
Bow PE going on. Used sanded down Revell deck section (cut)
Hole for the tow-rope moved forward, brass rod and filling, filed front edge to simulate actual u-boat
Kit bashing…
Next post I will finish up, bringing up to speed where I am. Getting ready for “Turkey Day”!!!
Thanks for stopping by!
Cheers!
