U-96 conning tower vent pattern

[El Stino]

First of all, this is my first post here, I've been a long time reader though, so Hi everyone.

I'm building a U-96 model and I'm trying to find more information about the vent pattern on the conning tower on each side just above the ladder. (multi hole drill pattern).
I haven't been able to find accurate/clear photographs of this area.
I have the ubrass vent hole drill plate, but this is for U-201

Who can help?

Thanx in advance

[SG]

Hi and welcome!
try to consult the excellent Wolfpack, a true bible for the uboat modeller, which will probably give you the right answer
http://amp.rokket.biz/lib_uboats.shtml
you may try to look for the right pictures here
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=149950
and here
http://www.mille-sabords.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40300&st=0
hope this helps
cheers
SG

[Anakin]

Welcome!

Looks like SG was faster than me...    But yes, you should find a lot of information following those links!

cheers
-Anakin-

[El Stino]

Thank you for your post,

I was aware of the amp site page and the wolf pack pdf, but not the photo threads, thx for that.

Unfortunatly I can't find any info on how these holes would be on the U-96, not even in the wolf pack pdf, with is otherwise extremely complete.
Would it be safe to assume these would the same as in on U-201 as provided in the ubrass kit. U201 was, just as U-96 constructed at the Germaniawerf in Kiel.
My experience in this project has however learned me that not much on these boats was ever the same...

[Nevermind4712]

You mean this Vents?



U-96

[El Stino]

I mean the one on the far right only half on the photo, just where you would come up on the ladder.
The one with al the individual holes.

[SG]

ok then: found 3 pics, looks like an inverted triangle pattern or a trapezoid (the yellowing of the right margin of first picture is kinda deceptive) of 5-7 rows of holes. sorry, wasnt able to find a starboard side pic of the turret nor a more defined one
PS last pic was taken at a different stage, the pattern looks more squared but perspective might be confounding

[El Stino]

Thanx for your help,

I was already familiar with these shots, unfortunately there not very clear, and want to get this absolutely correct, I also believe the pattern would be different on the starboard side.

Any more help is still appreciated
I'm afraid I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to these things 

[SG]

Looks like a pattern similar to this one, six rows of holes, belonging to U-94. Both U-94 and U-96 were in the same batch at Germaniawerft, Kiel. Found that the same pattern was sported by U-204 (starboard side) which was built at Germaniawerft, Kiel too.
Same pattern also for U-455 (port side), U-259 (starboard side) and U-355 (port side), the three boats being built in different places, Kiel/Deutsche Werke, Vegesack and Flensburg respectively. A standard pattern, maybe?



U-204


U-455


U-259


U-355

[El Stino]

U-455, U-259 and U-355, non of them are Germaniawerft boats and all much later produced.
The pattern on the pictures you post is the same as provided in the ubrass flood vents kit for U-201.
I believe this is a "standard" pattern for later boats, but U-96 is one of the first VII-C's

Meanwhile I found a clear U-93 starboard pic, clearly a different pattern.
U-94 should be close, same production run, same wharf.

[SG]

Yep the pattern looks very similar. So it's possible that the U-94 picture I posted refers to a later stage when it had already been changed..
"you're gonna need a bigger boat!"

[bracco_n]

I'll check Bucheim's "Uboat war" which has many photos from a patrol onboard U96, perhaps I find something there...

[SG]

unfortunately i havent got that book though most of the pictures are shown on U-boot VII vol.2 by AJ press which I have. The ones i checked miss information on the vent holes, being pictures taken on the turret deck facing the wintergarden or the bow. The one showing Bucheim near the attack periscope misses the holes too!
Good luck with your search and dont forget to let me know if you find out the solution, am eager to know!


 

[bracco_n]

I've checked the book and there's no such photo...

[Rokket]

Wish I could help... I had a similar problem with U 557. since there were (at the time) no photos of U 557, I used the logic you are thinking of: she must have been like her sister, built in parallel, U 558. It was flawless logic (looking at the details), but when photos surfaced, the vents (the grill upper ones) were like U 552! Grrrrr! But I still think it is good logic for you to go with the sister ship.

[SG]

Hey El Stino!
found another pic of U-96 turret taken by Bucheim!!
Though not perfectly visible, it seems that the pattern of vent holes is not interrupted like the "late standard pattern" posted yesterday and looks more like the "early pattern" of U-94 you found..





Mystery has yet to be solved but we're getting close!  
SG

[SG]

Hi!
Probably found the info you're after. U-70 seems to have the same "early" pattern of holes as U-96. Same Germaniawerft/Kiel origin, different batch, early VIIC. You can find a neat artwork of her turret's starboard side on U-boot im focus, Edition 3, page 19. Unfortunately i'll be away over the next 4 days, but I'll try to post the picture as soon as am back, just in case you dont get the picture earlier.
Cheers!
SG    

[SG]

the artwork i told you about, hope this helps
SG

[SG]

It took nearly two years but today the mystery about U-96 conning tower vent pattern can be considered solved!!
I only hope it's not too late.
Enjoy:
 

[Rokket]

good work!