U-505: What is it?
 

I received my latest civil engineering magazine and it had a story about the U-505 being moved from outside to a display building due to the effects of weather and pollution on the hull.

I was reading the article when I noticed something on the sub. It is located at the bottom of the hull and looks like some kind of sonar dome.

http://uboat.net/gallery/u505/photos...ved_2004_2.jpg

You can see it just to the right of the road sign. I looked at other photos of the sub and they all show this item.

Anybody have any idea what it is?

Seems to be one of those active Sonar devices that you can also get at SH3. Always forget the name of these devices.

A good question :hmm: I know it shouldn't be the GHG (group listening apparatus) because they were mounted either side of the bow on type IXC boats(eg. U-505)...see p13 of this article: http://www.xs4all.nl/~aobauer/GHG1996.pdf However I don't see that on your picture :nope:

So I'm gonna gues it might well be a fifferent type of sonar housing or an 'active' system of sorts :D

I believe it is the Balkon Gerät, a type of listening device fitted late in the war.

http://www.msichicago.org/exhibit/U5...lectronic.html

The U534 has one also. http://uboat.net/gallery/index.html?...534A&img=3

Somewhere I saw a closeup shot, but I can't seem to find it now.

Kevin

Balkon Gerät, that's the name I was looking for! I agree that it has to be that device.

Sure its not just an old support pillar that was painted the same color as the boat? :hmm: Kinda what it looks like.

Well, now that I look at some more pics that could indeed be an active sonar device.

I'm pretty sure I didn't see it in 1939!

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i1...illa/534_1.jpg

Seems very similar to this, underneath U-534.
My guess is also some kind of Active Sonar device. (S-Gerat??)

Jeez guyes! Look at U 534! It seems the last patrol has been a little bit too long... :o When she came back? And maybe Fubar could do U 534 skin for us... or... maybe not... Hull integerity doesn't seem to be... very high...


-RC-

U-534 is in such disrepair. Some are trying to raise money to put her back together. From the looks of her it could be in the billions to do so. Perhaps a nice coat of tar to slow her demise is in order. Such a shame

I've been to the U-505 exhibit several times, above and below ground. What you point out is not part of the boat. It seems to be a support or something do with the move.

it is part of the boat, the balkan gerat as others say. it's modeled in the game too, just check the later war years.

Really? Kewl!

I havent made it pass the summer of '43. Not from getting killed but because my patrols last such a long time. The only time I head back is when I am either out of eels or low on fuel. I still stick around even after the mandatory 24 hr patrol in a area.

And with the GWX and its rumor of 'tough times' for the U-boats, it may be that I never hit 1944. :shifty: :damn: :lol: