OT: Revell U-boat periscope up or down?

[fausterwwii]

Salute All!
I've decided to take the plunge and build Revell's 1/72nd scale uboat. I'm doing it as the early U-552. In researching the boat (looking for pictures of weathering patterns, etc) I've noticed that sometimes while on the surface the periscopes are partly raised, sometimes only one is partly raised, and sometimes they are completely lowered. I'm not talking about using them to hang victory flags. Just the boat seemingly going about her business.

The only thing I can figure is: 1) Attack periscope partly raised to facilitate attack coordination while diving, or 2) More room in the conning tower to walk around in safe situations? 3) Maybe standard maintenance?

I'm wondering because when it's all said and done, I've got to figure out how to set the scopes on the model for display.

Does anyone know what procedure was followed on the boats regarding periscopes during patrol?

thanks!
Ed :hmm:

[StdDev]

It could also be that by having the scope raised they (the U-Boat crew) is effectively extending their range of vision.. as in searching for ships to attack.
I dont know that this was actually done in German U-Boats but I have read several books where this technique was used on US subs during WWII.

[Duli]

No, this wasnt in use in German U-Boots, because they thought, that they might be spotted if the sun light reflects from the scope, before they could spot their target.

[Damo1977]

Doesn't it tell you not to glue them. Otherwise you won't be able to move them. With all me u-boat models made 2 and U-99 still in box after about 6yrs it told me not to glue them. (but I did).

[Hartmann]

Its better if it no is glued

i do a f-14 1/72 plane and made that the fixed wings could be moved, opened or closed

[fausterwwii]

Originally Posted by Damo1977

Doesn't it tell you not to glue them. Otherwise you won't be able to move them. With all me u-boat models made 2 and U-99 still in box after about 6yrs it told me not to glue them. (but I did).

Honestly, I haven't got that far yet. I like to plan ahead and resolve as many issues as possible before I start a kit. The instructions, IIRC, have no text and the pictures LOOKED like it could be done without glue. If so, I'll go that way. But it still leaves the display question open. Personally, I'm inclined to leave them down because in my mind's eye, that's how I see the profile of a U-boat. But admittidly that has alot to do with how hollywood has portrayed them.

[TreverSlyFox]

Ummmmmm, buy a BIG aquarium, put the model in, fill with water, raise the attack scope. Might want to build it with the Bow torp doors open too.

[Capn Tucker]

In most photos of U-boats you see running on the surface, the scopes are all lowered. Coming into port with victory pennants flying would be about the only time you'd normally see a scope raised...

[don1reed]

...the U-boat crews did however, raise the attack scope high enough for a watchstander to stand on the sheers and use it [scope] to get elevation to see farther.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

It also stands to reason that as a U-Boat commander you could leave the scope up and dive to periscope depth without ever losing visual contact with an object...

I don't believe they were ordered to sail on the surface with retracted scopes. When the only thing blocking view is the curvature of the earth, the elevation and magnification of attack/obsevation scopes would have been quite useful to spot "smoke on the horizon" and totally avoid sun reflection giving away the U-Boat. (at least early in the war...later in war it would have increased the U-Boat's radar profile....and decreased its suviveability.)

All that being said... this was not a preferred method of use... because the magnification and field of view from scopes even in calm sea states... produced nauseating sea-sickness as even calm pitching and rolling appears magnified.

[fausterwwii]

Thanks folks for all the insightful answers. I woke up this morning and managed to find my U-Boat Commander's Handbook, and it looks like your answers are very similar to the official thinking (except maybe the fish tank suggestion. There's no mention of fish tanks on uboats in the manual ).

It reads:
Section I: General
Part B: How to prevent the Submarine from Attracting Attention
23.) The periscope should not be used in daylight, on the surface, except in special circumstances (for example, in remote sea areas; also as under No. 24). It is the raised periscope on the surface that makes the typical submarine silhouette. Similarly, on submerging in daylight, the periscope should not be raised until the submarine is well below the surface. In the same way, the submarine should not surface during the day, before the periscope has been lowered.

24.) If, for urgent reasons, such as overhauling, it should become imperatively necessary to raise the periscope by day when the submarine is on the surface, the additional height of the raised periscope can be used in suitable weather to send up a look-out with binoculars, provided that surprise attacks by hostile airplanes are not to be anticipated. If the weather is clear and the sea calm, advantage can be taken of the raising of the periscope for an all-around view. On account of the relatevely weak magnification of the periscope, however, and of the almost inevitable vibrations and movement of the vessel, this seldom serves a useful purpose. The danger of betraying oneself by the raised periscope is greater.

...The Submarine Commander's Handbook 1942. 1943 Revised

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I guess the scope stays down if I'm modeling a boat in normal seas running on the surface during daylight. Thanks all!

[hakkikt]

I model all periscopes on my subs with syringes. That way, I can move them up and down as I like, one day this, one day that, and the metal surface will never be scratched.

[fausterwwii]

Originally Posted by hakkikt

I model all periscopes on my subs with syringes. That way, I can move them up and down as I like, one day this, one day that, and the metal surface will never be scratched.

That's not a bad idea for some of my smaller u-boat models (of which I have a number yet to be built), but have you seen the diameter of a periscope on a 1/72nd scale model? That's a big needle!

[DirtyHarry3033]

Originally Posted by fausterwwii

That's not a bad idea for some of my smaller u-boat models (of which I have a number yet to be built), but have you seen the diameter of a periscope on a 1/72nd scale model? That's a big needle!

Hi, I'm new here so forgive me for butting in I've got the Revell kit and I can definately answer one of your questions, the kit periscopes are assembled without glue so they can be raised/lowered, and rotated.

Now I haven't got that far in construction yet, in fact I haven't constructed anything! Been working on opening the limber holes which is more of a job than I imagined So I can't say if the scopes can be fully lowered or fully raised. Just looking at the diagram in the manual, it looks like the travel may be limited.

If you want metal scopes, I'm sure I saw a set of machined aluminum replacement scopes online somewhere. If you're interested, I'll see if I can track it down again.

[hakkikt]

Originally Posted by fausterwwii

That's not a bad idea for some of my smaller u-boat models (of which I have a number yet to be built), but have you seen the diameter of a periscope on a 1/72nd scale model? That's a big needle!

I have the Revell 1/72 sub of course, and I have the needle to make the periscope. Only one though... well it may work for two half-extended scopes. Anyway, I shudder at the thought what a doctor is supposed to do with it (got it from my ex, who is a doctor)