U-552 - doing it my way.

[dougie47]

Hi Siara,

You're right about the rivets being hard to see in period photos. The real ones were much smaller than the Revell rivets. I'd guess that you'll need to add rivets that are the same size as the original Revell ones, just so they match the rest of your model?

Are you doing a weathered U 552? If so, I'd pay attention to the edges of the panel lines on the tower of 552. If you look at photos of the boat when it is weathered, you'll see rust forming along the edges of some of the panel lines. I've also seen rust forming in panel lines on the towers of other early B&V boats - U 556, U 566 and U 570 in particular.

Cheers,

Dougie 

[Siara]

Thanks Dougie!
I will be making my own rivet lines from scratch, as there isnt any rivets left on my boat anymore.
I didnt like what revell done with them, so i sanded the lot. I will be using the biggest wheel on the Trumpeter rivet maker.
I have lot of period pics of U-552, and i will carefully apply the rust streaks accordingly.
Thanks again.

[dougie47]

Hi Siara,

Best of luck with the rivets. Just while we're on the subject of the tower, there is an object beside the forward insulator conduit on U 552 and some other VIICs. See on U 564 below -



The insulator itself was painted white. Two wires went from the tip to either end of this object.  Then wires went from the object up the forward jumping wire above.

The red arrow points to the object in this photo of U 552 -



The green arrow points to the metal part directly under the air intake grill. Note the curve on this part (curving downwards).

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Dougie

[Siara]

Superb picture Dougie!
I knew about the ledge under the vents, and the object near the insulator, but this shot shows it beautifully. I never seen that shot, and another thing it explains to me is the location of the saddle tanks vents. Thanks a bunch Dougie!
Keep em coming please. You have got some lovely, unusual shots- i give You that.

[Siara]

Rear isolators:





TBC...

[dougie47]

Hi Siara,

Nice work on the rear insulators. Looks like you have everything in hand.

The photo I posted of U 552 shows two oval shapes on the saddle tanks. I believe these were manhole inspection covers (the air vents being located under the deck). If you look at P88 and P89 of Paterson's U 564 book you'll see one of the covers removed. On the P89 image, you can actually see a crewman inside the bunker (having somehow squeezed through the manhole inspection hole!).

Whatever the purpose of these oval shapes was, you can find their position on the saddle tanks on page 2/3 of Westwood's Anatomy of the VII book. This photo is U 69, not U 99 as the caption suggests. The early VIIBs had 3 per side but the VIICs had 5 per side. But note the orientation was different: 3 of the ovals were perpendicular to the deck, 2 were parallel. 

Have a nice weekend.

Cheers,

Dougie

[Siara]

Thanks for all your input Dougie!

The isolators are now ready.











TBC...

[Siara]

Rivets:


...and the rest of the furnishings. Used combination of Eduard PE, and beer can.




TBC...

[Siara]

I think it is ready for some paint now. Did i forget anything? 

TBC...

[Rokket]

almost ready for sea!

[dougie47]

Hi Siara,

Very nice job, as usual. Just got the rear light to add, which was different on the very earliest B&V boats to many other VIICs. If you need photos just shout.

Your boat is REALLY taking very good shape now.

Cheers,

Dougie

[Siara]

Very nice job, as usual. Just got the rear light to add, which was different on the very earliest B&V boats to many other VIICs.
Dougie

Does it look like so?

If you have detail shot of it it will be highly appreciated as always. I cant express how gratefull i am for your help.
Siara

[dougie47]

Hi Siara,

No worries, mate. Always like to help if I can.

Yeah, your shot of U 552 shows the rear light I am talking about. The only image that might be of help is of U 553, from directly behind -



I can't recall where I got the image and can't unfortunately improve on the quality.

Another image of U 552, very similar to the one you posted -



Note that the tower railings, the top of the L-shaped isolators and the area where the tower meets the deck are all black.

Oh, and I very much like your tiny rivets.

Cheers,

Dougie

[Siara]

Thanks Dougie. Ill start work on the light tonight.

[wildspear]

Hey Siara,

Where did you get the tool you used for the rivets?