What Uboats had wooden decks?

[pditty8811]

From my understanding the TypeVIIC and VIIC/41 some had wooden decks. Usually they were covered in resin. But did the TypeVIIB or VIIA have wooden decks?

I have the texture I just need to know if I should apply it.

[Gerald]

I would think so, and that,even IX boats had so ... but that's to find this on google, for further information...

[Jimbuna]

The majority of U-boat types had wooden decks because of their non-slip characteristics and the fact wood was lighter than metal and easier to maintain.

[Fish In The Water]

The majority of U-boat types had wooden decks because of their non-slip characteristics and the fact wood was lighter than metal and easier to maintain.

I think weight was the primary consideration though it was certainly easier to replace as well.

[Jimbuna]

I think weight was the primary consideration though it was certainly easier to replace as well.

Danke Der Onkle :salute::DL

[pditty8811]

The majority of U-boat types had wooden decks because of their non-slip characteristics and the fact wood was lighter than metal and easier to maintain.


Jimbuna do you know what types specifically? I currently have wooden deck textures in use for my Type IIA, IID, and VIIC. All my other uboat textures are of metal decks.

Oh, and my textures dont look like wood plank, its tar covered wood with slits in it to resemble a metal deck. Which I think is historically accurate. I don't think the wood looked like planks, it had slits in it resembling the metal decks I think.

[Jimbuna]

I do have definitive data stored on another hardrive but at this moment in time it is not easily accessible.

[Von Hilde]

US fleet boats as well as IJ. Teak planks over steel framework and teak hatches reinforced with steal framework. Teak is resiliant in water and is cheaper then steel and does not get as slipery when wet. Decks were coated with coal dust mixed with diesel oil to keep the wood waterproof and dark, as not to be seen by aircraft when just below the surface.

[pditty8811]

I do have definitive data stored on another hardrive but at this moment in time it is not easily accessible.


Thanks Jimbuna, even if you could let me know from what you remember has wooden decks that would be great. I know for certain VIIC/41 and some VIIC boats had wooden decks, slitted wood with the black tar or resin on it. But I'm not sure about the other boats.

pditty8811

[Missing Name]

US fleet boats as well as IJ. Teak planks over steel framework and teak hatches reinforced with steal framework. Teak is resiliant in water and is cheaper then steel and does not get as slipery when wet. Decks were coated with coal dust mixed with diesel oil to keep the wood waterproof and dark, as not to be seen by aircraft when just below the surface.

Teak seemed like an obvious choice. Another guess would have been mahogany, as it fares quite well in water.

[Von Hilde]

was more expensive as well, Teak has been the standard for marine decks and still is

[Jimbuna]

Something that may be of interest here:

http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php?14,53921,53926

http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php?14,55465,55486

[Osmium Steele]

I've been studying decks for my model build.

My research has showed that u-boats did not use teak or any other durable wood. Pine (readily available) with a very serious preservative was preferred. The preservative was black, but would fade/wear away fairly quickly explaining the different shading in various photos of the time.

The difference between the later VIIC - VIIC/41 boats and most others was the deck was planked instead of slotted. This was found to save weight and ease manufacture/replacement of the deck when required.

I'll try to locate some pics of VII and VIIB boats to show you.

Edit: Here ya go.

U-30 and U-34, both VIIAs. (http://174.123.69.202/~subsimc/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1073961&postcount=12) Slotted decks.

Look at U-46 and 47, both VIIB boats. Slotted decks. (http://174.123.69.202/~subsimc/radioroom/showthread.php?t=149950&page=2)

[pditty8811]

I've been studying decks for my model build.

My research has showed that u-boats did not use teak or any other durable wood. Pine (readily available) with a very serious preservative was preferred. The preservative was black, but would fade/wear away fairly quickly explaining the different shading in various photos of the time.

The difference between the later VIIC - VIIC/41 boats and most others was the deck was planked instead of slotted. This was found to save weight and ease manufacture/replacement of the deck when required.

I'll try to locate some pics of VII and VIIB boats to show you.

Edit: Here ya go.

U-30 and U-34, both VIIAs. (http://174.123.69.202/%7Esubsimc/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1073961&postcount=12) Slotted decks.

Look at U-46 and 47, both VIIB boats. Slotted decks. (http://174.123.69.202/%7Esubsimc/radioroom/showthread.php?t=149950&page=2)


How about the Type IX boats? I've been modding for 6 years and I don't think I've seen a wooden texture for the IX boats.

[Osmium Steele]

I am pretty sure that all WWII U-boats had wooden decks aft of the forward torpedo tube bulkhead at the bow all the way back to the first MBT bulkhead at the stern. I haven't studied the decks of the XXI and XXIII boats yet, so not 100% sure about those.

U-505 - Type IXC- Planked deck. Took this pic myself.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7783/img0923ml.jpg

[pditty8811]

I am pretty sure that all WWII U-boats had wooden decks aft of the forward torpedo tube bulkhead at the bow all the way back to the first MBT bulkhead at the stern. I haven't studied the decks of the XXI and XXIII boats yet, so not 100% sure about those.

U-505 - Type IXC- Planked deck. Took this pic myself.

http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/7783/img0923ml.jpg


Good pic.

Now all I need is a wood plank texture for the Type IXs. I think I do have the slotted wood painted grey deck of the IX currently active. Didn't know that they have the plank decks also.

[Von Hilde]

I've seen them and 995s as well. The difference between the "slotted" looking decks on the early VII A, Bs and early Cs, and the later plank construction was due to simplicuity and time consumption, became imparative later in the war. The wood was pieced between the planks at the cross brace running abeam between the port and stbd gunnel bulkheads at each section of the boat. The typ XXI had teak planking, but not much deck space. Not much to do outside on one of those boats to require no slip decking and below deck storage. I've checked out the two wrecks of U 2008 and U 2513 and not much left on the decks of eithe one. They were brought back from Germany after the war and saw service with the USN , untill they were no longer useful, then they were sunk not to far from my house.