This model will be a buildup for a friend in Florida. It will be a static display (for now) hopefully with accommodations for future expansion as a fully functional R/C model. He would like it built as the U-995.
Some info on the original Type VII subs:
The Type VIIC was the workhorse of the German U-boat force, with 568 commissioned from 1940 to 1945.[72] Boats of this type were built throughout the war. The first VIIC boat commissioned was the U-69 in 1940. The Type VIIC was an effective fighting machine and was seen almost everywhere U-boats operated, although their range was not as great as that of the larger Type IX.[72] The VIIC came into service as the first "Happy Time" near the beginning of World War II was almost over, and it was this boat that saw the final defeat by the Allied anti-submarine campaign in late 1943 and 1944.[72]
Type VIIC was a slightly modified version of the successful VIIB. They had very similar engines and power, and were larger and heavier which made them slightly slower than the VIIB. Many of these boats were fitted with snorkels in 1944 and 1945.[72]
They had the same torpedo tube arrangement as their predecessors, except for U-72, U-78, U-80, U-554, and U-555, which had only two bow tubes, and for U-203, U-331, U-351, U-401, U-431, and U-651, which had no stern tube.[72]
On the surface the boats (except for U-88, U-90 and U-132 to U-136 which used MAN M6V40/46s) were propelled by two supercharged Germaniawerft, 6 cylinder, 4-stroke M6V 40/46 diesels totaling 2,800 to 3,200 hp (2,100 to 2,400 kW) at 470 to 490 rpm.[72]
For submerged propulsion, several different electric motors were used. Early models used the VIIB configuration of two AEG GU 460/8-276 electric motors, totaling 750 hp (560 kW) with a max rpm of 296, while newer boats used two BBC (Brown Boveri & Co) GG UB 720/8, two GL (Garbe Lahmeyer) RP 137/c electric motors or two SSW (Siemens-Schuckert-Werke) GU 343/38-8 electric motors with the same power output as the AEG motors.[72]
Perhaps the most famous VIIC boat was U-96, featured in the movie Das Boot.[72]
October 29, 2010
The build has officially commenced, however it might not be until another week before I really get into it.
All of the parts have been laid out, and I'm going to start with the construction of the conning tower, which is an entire model in and of itself. I managed to find an excellent build of the extended conning tower online. Feel free to check it out at: http://webpages.charter.net/sinkwich/otw_viic-41/part1.htm
For now, enjoy the photos of the parts.
