My U-505 Visit

LukeFF · 08-26-10, 03:12 AM

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:

U-505's Anchor

One of the twin barrel 20mm AA guns.

Life raft.

One of the diesel pistons.

Various artifacts taken from the boat.

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

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

The rebel in me decided to sneak in a photo of the diesel compartment while the tour guide wasn't looking.

This is looking forward towards the control room.

Andrew82 · 08-26-10, 07:05 AM

Nice pics, thanks for sharing with us!

TabbyHunter · 08-26-10, 08:58 AM

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!

Gerald · 08-26-10, 10:47 AM

Platapus · 08-26-10, 02:56 PM

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?

Ducimus · 08-26-10, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

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.

razark · 08-26-10, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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.

Gerald · 08-26-10, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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.

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

Platapus · 08-26-10, 05:40 PM

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?

Ducimus · 08-26-10, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

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.

ETR3(SS) · 08-26-10, 10:24 PM

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.

Platapus · 08-27-10, 01:52 PM

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.

Alex · 08-27-10, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LukeFF

The camera I was using is fairly lousy, so pardon the lighting.

The first shot is just c-r-y-p-t-i-c.

Love it !

Thanks for sharing them !

Edit

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

Ducimus · 08-27-10, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

[/I]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:

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

ETR3(SS) · 08-27-10, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ducimus

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

Video of the move here:

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.

08-26-10, 03:12 AM	#1
LukeFF Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Riverside, California Posts: 3,610 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 5	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: U-505's Anchor One of the twin barrel 20mm AA guns. Life raft. One of the diesel pistons. Various artifacts taken from the boat. UZO, torpedo gyroscope, and a U-Jagd chronometer. Body and tail of a TV Wren homing torpedo. The black bands at the tail formed part of the detonation mechanism. The rebel in me decided to sneak in a photo of the diesel compartment while the tour guide wasn't looking. This is looking forward towards the control room. __________________ ROW Sound Effects Contributor RFB Team Leader

08-26-10, 07:05 AM	#2
Andrew82 Torpedoman Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 113 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Nice pics, thanks for sharing with us! __________________ TMO 2.2

08-26-10, 10:47 AM	#4
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	Thanks! Nice pictures __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

08-26-10, 02:56 PM	#5
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	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? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

08-26-10, 05:40 PM	#9
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	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? __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

08-26-10, 08:58 AM	#3
TabbyHunter Ensign Join Date: May 2010 Location: Pandora. Not the blue cat people Pandora... Posts: 227 Downloads: 52 Uploads: 0	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!

08-26-10, 10:24 PM	#11
ETR3(SS) Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Between test depth and periscope depth Posts: 3,021 Downloads: 175 Uploads: 16	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. __________________ USS Kentucky SSBN 737 (G) Comms Div 2003-2006 Qualified 19 November 03 Yes I was really on a submarine.

08-27-10, 01:52 PM	#12
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,361 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	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. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.