My U-505 Visit
 

Two weeks ago I was in the Chicago area for a friend's wedding, so naturally I took some time to see the U-505 exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry. The four friends of mine who came along with me were, thankfully, not bored by the exhibit, so we spent a fair amount of time in there. Other than the "no photography" rule inside the sub, the exhibit is really well-done. The amount of history related to the Battle of the Atlantic in this one exhibit truly is fascinating.

As for inside the boat itself, it truly is amazing how cramped these U-boats were, even with this being a Type IX. Even the bunks are small (they looked to be about 65" long at the most). Compared to the U-2540, the interior of this sub looked minuscule in comparison.

Some pics. The camera I was using is fairly lousy, so pardon the lighting. One of my friends took much better photos, so I'll be able to share those soon:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...eFF/U-5051.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...505_Anchor.jpg

U-505's Anchor

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2..._2cmCannon.jpg

One of the twin barrel 20mm AA guns.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...5_Lifeboat.jpg

Life raft.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...eselPiston.jpg

One of the diesel pistons.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...05Exhibit3.jpg

Various artifacts taken from the boat.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...UZO_Chrono.jpg

UZO, torpedo gyroscope, and a U-Jagd chronometer.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...505_TVBody.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...505_TVTail.jpg

Body and tail of a TV Wren homing torpedo. The black bands at the tail formed part of the detonation mechanism.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ompartment.jpg

The rebel in me decided to sneak in a photo of the diesel compartment while the tour guide wasn't looking. :stare: :D This is looking forward towards the control room.

Nice pics, thanks for sharing with us! :salute:

Thanks for shareing. I went to see the sub a few months ago myself, and it was the third time, first inside the museum, that i have been abored the U-505...Aand i live in chicago!

Thanks! Nice pictures
 

:up:

I wonder why visitors can't take photographs of the interior?

Are they afraid I am going to take those photographs and make a bootleg copy of the U505?

I wondered the same thing. Money is my theory. They want people to have to PAY to see the inside of the sub. Allowing people to take pictures (which would subequently be posted on the internet) would be counterintuitive to that purpose.

How silly. I can look at pictures all day long, but that does not compare to being in the boat.

Correct it is about money,
 

so the can sell images that they themselves have taken, just like there have been many times for me.....

One possible reason is that photographers like me tend to take a lot of time and we can slow down the flow of people. I wonder if that's the reason?

Could be. Money is always on the list though. It's what makes the world go round after all. :rotfl2:

Next person to go there should ask. Can't hurt after all. I've often wondered why you can't take pictures either. I'd say it is probably because of money and the tour is guided now. Years ago you used to be able to wander through at your own pace.

Perhaps they are afraid of someone taking pictures and then selling them for a profit?

Too bad the innocent tourist/history lover is punished for what some greedy bastages do. :nope:

The first shot is just c-r-y-p-t-i-c. :o
Love it ! :D

Thanks for sharing them ! :|\\

Edit

It really looks like the united states of America are taking good care of this baby. Very nice, indeed. :)

In 2004 it was moved into a specially made underground vault.

Video of the move here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUuQIpVuhCg

edit: Come to think of it, we take better care of that boat then we do our own from the same time period.

I've seen it before and after they moved it inside. If they wanted to keep it in one piece for any length of time they had to move it inside, she was pretty rough looking from all those Chicago winters. But you're right about our boats.