The Wolf Pack The Wolf Pack II: Another Collection Of U-Boat Modelling Articles Page 1

239 Pages·2017·9 MB·English

The Wolf Pack

The Wolf Pack II: Another Collection Of U-Boat Modelling Articles Page 1
The Wolf Pack

Contents

Introduction

Articles: U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman
U 505: Modifications, Colours & Insignia
U-Boat Waterline Draught Marks
Type II U-Boat Modifications & Vent Patterns
Late War Type VIIC & VIIC/41 Configurations
List Of U-Boat Modifications & Identification Features
A Guide To AMP U-Boat Decals
The 1/72nd Wolf Pack
Appendix: References & Photo Sources
Index

All text and drawings copyright © Dougie Martindale / Accurate Model Parts, 2012-2018

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The Wolf Pack
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................... 5

U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman ................................................... 8

 Part I - The Boat .............................................................................................. 9
 Part II - Remscheid Coat Of Arms ................................................................ 10
 Part III - Schnee & The Snowman ................................................................ 14
 Part IV - Patrol & Combination Dates .......................................................... 17
U 505: Modifications, Colours & Insignia ........................................ 19

 Part I - Introduction ....................................................................................... 20
 Part II - Historical Overview ......................................................................... 21
 Part III - Pre-capture Modifications .............................................................. 25
 Part IV - Radar & Radar Warning ................................................................ 38
 Part V - Countermeasures ............................................................................. 43
 Part VI - Damage During Capture ................................................................ 44
 Part VII - Future Kriegsmarine Modifications .............................................. 45
 Part VIII - Post-capture Modifications .......................................................... 47
 Part IX - Current Features Versus Revell Kit ............................................... 53
 Part X - Insignia & Paint Colours ................................................................. 57
 Part XI - AMP Decals & Flags ..................................................................... 68
 Part XII - Summary Tables ........................................................................... 70
U-Boat Waterline Draught Marks ...................................................... 78

 Part I - Draught Marks .................................................................................. 79
 Part II - Two-digit System ............................................................................. 80
 Part III - One-digit System ............................................................................ 84
 Part IV - Welded Waterline Numbers ........................................................... 91
 Part V - Difficulties Observing Numbers ..................................................... 94
 Part VI - AMP Waterline Decals .................................................................. 96
Type II U-Boat Modifications & Vent Patterns ................................ 98

 Part I - Introduction ....................................................................................... 99
 Part II - Type IIA ......................................................................................... 100
 Part III - Type IIB........................................................................................ 102
 Part IV - Type IIC ....................................................................................... 110
 Part V - Type IID ........................................................................................ 113
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The Wolf Pack
 Part VI - Inside Tower ................................................................................. 118
 Part VII - Other Details ............................................................................... 121
 Part VIII - Tower Styles List ....................................................................... 128
Late War Type VIIC & VIIC/41 Configurations ............................ 129

 Part I - Introduction ..................................................................................... 130
 Part II - Atlantic Bow .................................................................................. 130
 Part III - Deck Type .................................................................................... 133
 Part IV - Magnetic Compass Fairing .......................................................... 134
 Part V - Individual Boat Details .................................................................. 136
List Of U-Boat Modifications & Identification Features ................ 158

 Part I - Introduction ..................................................................................... 159
 Part II - Modifications Applicable To All Types ........................................ 161
 Part III - Modifications Applicable To Certain Types ................................ 163
 Part IV - Other Modifications ..................................................................... 169
 Part V - Identification Features Of U-Boat Variants .................................. 172
 Part VI - The VIIA “U 26” - An Imposter? ................................................ 187
A Guide To AMP U-Boat Decals .................................................... 191

 Part I - Introduction ..................................................................................... 192
 Part II - Type IX Decals .............................................................................. 193
 Part III - Type VII Decals ........................................................................... 199
 Part IV - Type II Decals .............................................................................. 202
 Part V - Waterline Draught Marks .............................................................. 204
 Part VI - Full AMP Decal Listing ............................................................... 205
The 1/72nd Wolf Pack ..................................................................... 210

 Part I - Introduction ..................................................................................... 211
 Part II - Type IIA U 2 .................................................................................. 212
 Part III - Type VIIC U 201 .......................................................................... 215
 Part IV - Type IXC U 505 ........................................................................... 220
Appendix: References & Photo Sources .......................................... 224

Index ................................................................................................. 231

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Introduction

Introduction

I
n May 2010 The Wolf Pack: A Collection Of U-Boat Modelling Articles (referred herein as the
original Wolf Pack collection) was released as a downloadable pdf on the Accurate Model Parts
(AMP) website. Included in the collection are a number of articles dealing with various issues of
interest to the U-boat modeller. Each of these articles has some connection with Revell‟s seminal
1/72nd Type VIIC U-boat model kit (RV5015), with some penned specifically to assist AMP
customers who have bought our products.
In the past decade there have been three other major 1/72nd scale injection-moulded releases:
the Special Navy Type IIA, Revell Type IXC U 505, and a late war (advertised as IXC/40) version
of the Revell U 505 kit. These have developed our collective interest into the other two mainstays of
the German fleet - the Type II and Type IX - in much the same way that the Revell VIIC did back in
2003. This second collection of U-boat modelling articles continues in the same vein as the first but
branches out to the Type IIs and IXCs currently on the market in 1/72nd scale. It also further
explores the VIICs in more detail, particular the late war version depicted in Revell‟s VIIC/41
release.
The method employed here is the same as the first collection, namely researching the
modifications made to each variant over time as well as the insignia and paint colours of individual
boats. Once again the articles were all written with the modeller (especially the AMP customer) as
the target reader. U 505 has been used as a case study due this boat being the subject of the Revell
IXC kit. She currently survives as a museum boat in Chicago, meaning that interest in this particular
boat will persist over time.
The original intention was to include individual articles on the modifications and vent patterns
of the Type VIIA and the Type IX. However, this was deemed unnecessary as the modifications
which would have been included can already be found in existing articles (“Type VII Modifications”
for VIIAs and the U 505 article for IXCs). Additionally, the identification characteristics of both
types can be found in the article “List Of U-Boat Modifications & Identification Features”. This
latter article is the product of over a decade and a half of research into U-boat modifications and
essentially summarises the bulk of my research. Given that there are presently no published books
on the market specifying all the modifications made to Kriegsmarine fleet, it is hoped that the
summary tables can at least partly fill the research gap in this area.

Dougie Martindale, March 2018

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Introduction
Acknowledgements

I
would like to thank the following individuals and recognise their contributions to the articles
herein -

 Jon Kelly (Capt Kremin on AMP forum) for his valued assistance in regard to the U 505
article. Thanks are also due for his Spanish Civil War suggestion and for allowing me to use his U
534 photos.
 My AMP colleague Wink Grisé for sending me the U-505: Extend The Experience DVD
and all the photos he took when he visited U 505. Furthermore, thanks are due for the use of his U
505 and model photos.
 I would like to extend my gratitude to the late Dani Janer Åkerberg for his excellent work
with his website U-Historia.com. There are many detailed articles on this website and I am most
grateful to him for translating many of my articles for inclusion in his website. I am also grateful to
Dani for suggesting to me that a list of modifications would be useful as this proved to be the
stimulus for me to create the summary tables.
 Olaf Krabbenhöft for many informative discussions and several helpful corrections.
 Axel Urbanke of U-Boot im Focus for kindly allowing the use of the Type VIIA “U 26”
photo.
 Jerry Mason for the wealth of information in his website (http://www.uboatarchive.net),
which was of great benefit when researching the U 505 article. Additionally, thanks for advising me
on the VII weather balloon hydrogen feature.
 Ernest Roth (Grief on AMP forum) for help on Bold dates and for kindly agreeing for me to
include two of his photos of U 505.
 Ron Keller (Bad Karma on AMP forum) for sending me a number of photos of Type IIDs.
 Simon Morris (NZSnowman on AMP forum) for assistance with late war VIIC/41
arrangements.
 Glenn Cauley (GlennCauley on AMP forum) for assistance with the ammunition containers
on the U 505 tower.
 Air Commodore Derek Waller for his informative online article “U-505 In The US Navy”.
 Keith Gill for his diligent work in restoring and documenting U 505. More than a few
enthusiasts were saddened when the former curator moved on to another position.
 My late father, John Martindale, for providing me with the colour video footage of U 505
that has been so useful in trying to decipher the colours during capture.
 My assistant Ellie Martindale for helping me with my typing.
 To all those who have contributed to the AMP forum.

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Introduction
Spanish translation

Five articles from the original Wolf Pack collection can be found in Spanish at http://www.u-
historia.com/ The following four articles from this collection, as listed below, can also be found on
this website.

U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman
 Spanish title El U201, Remscheid y el muñeco de nieve
 Website section Historia
 Subsection Artículos Históricos
 Translator Dani J.Åkerberg

U 505: Modifications, Colours & Insignia
 Spanish title U505: Modificaciones, colores y emblemas
 Website section Historia
 Subsection Artículos Históricos
 Translators Dani J.Åkerberg and José Carlos Violat

List Of U-Boat Modifications & Identification Features
 Spanish title Modificaciones aplicadas a los Uboot y caracteristicas
identificativas
 Website section Técnica
 Subsection Artículos Históricos
 Translator Dani J.Åkerberg

Late War Type VIIC & VIIC/41 Configurations
 Spanish title Configuraciones de los uboote del Tipo VIIc y VIIc/41
a finales de la Guerra
 Website section Historia
 Subsection Artículos Históricos
 Translator Dani J.Åkerberg

The SubCommittee Report articles

The SubCommittee Report (SCR) is a magazine published by the SubCommittee, a non-profit
organisation who share an interest in submarines, primarily the building of radio-controlled
submarine models. Their website can be found at http://www.subcommittee.com/

The article “U-Boat Waterline Draught Marks”, which is included in this collection, was published
in two parts in the following issues -

U-Boat Waterline Draft Markings Part 1
 March 2016 (#104) SubCommittee Report

U-Boat Waterline Draft Markings Part 2
 June 2016 (#105) SubCommittee Report
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U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman

U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman

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U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman
Contents

Part I The Boat
Part II Remscheid Coat Of Arms
Part III Schnee & The Snowman
Part IV Patrol & Combination Dates
Part V AMP Decals
Part VI U 201 Camouflage Scheme
Part VII References & Sources

Part I - The Boat

Introduction

A
large number of Kreigsmarine U-boats had insignia painted on their conning towers. The
insignia were varied in terms of their origin, meaning and quality. Some were nothing more
than hastily prepared sketches (malings) which did not adorn the conning towers for long. Other
designs (emblemes) lasted for numerous patrols. Another type of insignia was the bootswappen,
which were coat of arms belonging to a German town or city.
One of the most memorable and enduring of emblemes is the snowman of U 201. When
modellers choose which of the 700 or so Type VII boats they wish to model, the visual impact of
the snowman, together with the aesthetics of U 201‟s wavy camouflage scheme, ensures that U 201
is one of the most popular choices. Alongside U 96 and U 552, it is arguably one of the three most
popular VIIC boats. U 201 also displayed two versions of the Remscheid coat of arms (wappen), the
latter version being present alongside the snowman.
This article discusses the various insignia of U 201 in the hope that it may assist modellers
who have purchased a set of decals from Accurate Model Parts. In Part IV, a summary of U 201‟s
insignia and modification dates has been presented in table format; patrol dates are also provided.
The modification dates and patrol dates are essential guides for trying to determine when photos of
U 201 were taken. Successful dating of period photos can then allow us to establish when the
various insignia and features were present on U 201. More details of the modifications - netcutter,
breakwater and wind deflector - can be found on pages 80 to 83 of the original Wolf Pack
collection.

U 201

U 201 was a Type VIIC built by the Friedrich Krupp Germaniawerft A.G. shipyards in Kiel.
Launched on the 7th December 1940, the boat was commissioned into the Kriegsmarine on the 25th
January 1941. The boat‟s first commander, Oberleutnant zur See Adalbert “Adi” Schnee, had
previously commanded U 6, U 60 and U 121, all Type IIs of various variants. Schnee would
command U 201 for seven patrols, during which his tally of enemy shipping steadily mounted.
Some important milestones in Schnee‟s naval career are listed below -

30th August 1941 Knights Cross
1st March 1942 Promotion to Kapitänleutnant
15th July 1942 Knights Cross with Oak Leaves
1st December 1944 Promotion to Korvettenkapitän

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U 201: Remscheid & The Snowman
In the boat‟s first seven patrols, Schnee sank 21 ships and damaged another two ships. His
very successful seventh patrol - in which he sank 41,036 tons - saw him awarded the Knights Cross
with Oak Leaves. He then left the boat to take up a shore position on the BdU staff. Near the end of
the war he returned to operational duties, commanding the Type XXI U 2511. U 2511 and U 3008
were the only two Type XXIs to undertake a war patrol. Schnee‟s patrol started on the 3rd May 1945
and ended, due to the German capitulation, three days later on the 6th May 1945. Just after the cease
fire orders were issued on the 4th May, Schnee conducted a simulated attack on the London-class
heavy cruiser HMS Norfolk before successfully evading the escorting destroyers. One of the most
popular commanders, “Adi” Schnee survived the war.
The second and final commander of U 201 was Günther Rosenberg, who sank three ships
during the boat‟s eighth patrol. By the time U 201 sailed on her ninth war patrol in January 1943,
the boat had sunk 24 ships of 109,055 tons and damaged 2 ships of 13,386 tons. There would be no
further successes. On the 17th February 1943, U 201 was located by HF/DF, then depth charged to
the surface by the destroyer HMS Viscount near ONS.165 (at 50°36N/41°07W - 480 miles east-
north-east of St. Johns in Canada). All 49 crewmembers were killed when the U-boat was sunk.

Part II - Remscheid Coat Of Arms

The Remscheid coat of arms

O
ne very popular practice concerning U-boat insignia was the adoption of civic heraldry. Many
German towns and cities sponsored individual U-boats, contributing money towards their
construction. In this scheme - known as patenschaft - the boat would have the city‟s crest painted,
or mounted on a shield, on the tower. The crew would often have an association with the city,
sometimes even visiting the city during a period of leave. According to a list in Georg Högel‟s
update booklet Embleme Wappen Malings: Deutscher U-Boote von 1939-1945, at least 137 U-boats
sported bootswappen via the patenschaft scheme.
Most of the boats in the series of twelve boats following U 201 were sponsored by towns or
cities. U 201 had the crest of Remscheid on her tower, indicating that the boat was sponsored by
that city. Situated to the south side of the Ruhr, Remscheid was heavily damaged in July 1943 by
Allied bombing. The main industries in the town at that time were mechanical engineering and tool-
making. Many U-boat men had previous engineering skills, so the adoption of a city with such an
industrial background is quite fitting.
According to the Heraldry of the World website, the arms of Remscheid were officially
granted on the 18th February 1854. This website further states -

“Remscheid became a city in 1808 and the arms were
based on a seal from 1556, and show in the upper part
the lion of the Counts of Berg, who ruled the area in the
16th century. The sickle represents the speciality of the
local forges, who were well known in a wide area. The
arms were granted with a mural crown, a Prussian eagle
behind the shield and a forger and his assistant as
supporters. The supporters were removed before 1914,
the Prussian eagle after 1918 and the crown around
1930.”
Right (HER-1939): A drawing of the former coat of arms of
Remscheid - dated 1939 - from the Heraldry Of The World
website (http://www.ngw.nl/int/dld/r/remschei.htm).

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