Have now completed the U-boat Circuit

HerrWilkus · 05-11-14, 04:46 PM

Though an American citizen I spend about six months out of the year living and traveling in Europe. (The rest are spent working my tail off during the short arctic construction season)

One of my plans for this winter was to see as many U-boats/U-boat related museums as possible.

Proud to announce I've now seen all WWII era U-boats currently on display in one form or another.

1. U-505, captured Type IXC (1991, on a family trip to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.) Even at this early age I was quite interested in all things submarine.

2. 'Vesikko', Finnish Type II prototype (2006, trip to Suomenlinna while working in Finland) Not 'really' a U-Boat, but close enough.

3. U-995, Type VII-C, surrendered to Norway, now on display near Kiel. (Feb 2014, visited on transit between Finland and UK, also saw the Naval/U-Boat memorials.) Amazingly well preserved, you really get the 'smell' inside.

4. U-534, Type IXC/40, sunk near Denmark, raised in the 90s, sectioned and on display in Liverpool. (April 2014, visited while in UK) Interesting in that it clearly displays the depth charge damage that sank it near the stern. Also an excellent museum containing the artifacts recovered from inside, well preserved under the fine silt.

5. U-2540, Type XXI, scuttled, raised in 50's, on display in Bremerhaven. (April 2014, visited on the return trip to Finland from UK) Excellent museum, friendly staff, though one must realize there were modifications made inside. Excellent view of the massive battery storage area that gave the Elektroboot its name.

So, unless more U-boats are pulled off the bottom of the ocean, or recovered from he old demolished pens, I think I've finally earned my 'U-boat tourist badge'.

I'm just annoyed that none of the XIV 'Milch Cows' survived the war now.

05-11-14, 04:46 PM	#1
HerrWilkus Swabbie Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 9 Downloads: 30 Uploads: 0	Have now completed the U-boat Circuit Though an American citizen I spend about six months out of the year living and traveling in Europe. (The rest are spent working my tail off during the short arctic construction season) One of my plans for this winter was to see as many U-boats/U-boat related museums as possible. Proud to announce I've now seen all WWII era U-boats currently on display in one form or another. 1. U-505, captured Type IXC (1991, on a family trip to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.) Even at this early age I was quite interested in all things submarine. 2. 'Vesikko', Finnish Type II prototype (2006, trip to Suomenlinna while working in Finland) Not 'really' a U-Boat, but close enough. 3. U-995, Type VII-C, surrendered to Norway, now on display near Kiel. (Feb 2014, visited on transit between Finland and UK, also saw the Naval/U-Boat memorials.) Amazingly well preserved, you really get the 'smell' inside. 4. U-534, Type IXC/40, sunk near Denmark, raised in the 90s, sectioned and on display in Liverpool. (April 2014, visited while in UK) Interesting in that it clearly displays the depth charge damage that sank it near the stern. Also an excellent museum containing the artifacts recovered from inside, well preserved under the fine silt. 5. U-2540, Type XXI, scuttled, raised in 50's, on display in Bremerhaven. (April 2014, visited on the return trip to Finland from UK) Excellent museum, friendly staff, though one must realize there were modifications made inside. Excellent view of the massive battery storage area that gave the Elektroboot its name. So, unless more U-boats are pulled off the bottom of the ocean, or recovered from he old demolished pens, I think I've finally earned my 'U-boat tourist badge'. I'm just annoyed that none of the XIV 'Milch Cows' survived the war now.