Lights for my u boot...

I can think of several ways to try the running lite switch based on SH3-4


The spot light would be harder I think but I also have a thought on that I never tried for same versions.

[jason210]

Originally Posted by privateer

I can think of several ways to try the running lite switch based on SH3-4


The spot light would be harder I think but I also have a thought on that I never tried for same versions.

Would you care to share your ideas? I might have a go at this myself.

[oscarenwickler]

When I get bored and go down onto the deck I see lights on the conning tower.
I`d love to see them work.

[Kongo Otto]

Originally Posted by privateer

The lights were never remove and were relocated several times over the years.
So I'd think they were kept for a reason.

I dont know which kind of "lights" you mean.
The U-Boots never had lights, all they had was their Navigation Lamps (red = Port, green = Starboard and white at the stern) also they had a little Handheld Signal Lamp for optical communication (Morse code).

As for your question about doing the Kiel Canal without lights, the Kiel Canal has to be traveled with a maritime pilots, this is so until today.
If the ship has a certain size or bigger it has to be steered by an specially trained helmsman, they are also provided by the canal authority.
Speed in the canal is between 6.5 and 8 knots depending on the ships size.
Oncoming traffic has to use passing loops.
Way back in the War there was no civilian traffic allowed in the kiel canal, it was exclusivly for the Kriegsmarine and even then they had to use the maritime pilots which are required by law.
In 2006 43000 Ships have used the Kiel canal this means about 4.9 ships per hour or about 118 ships per day. Way back in time there was not so much traffic so the canal could be travelled without major problems.



U-171 travelling the iced Kiel Canal in 1941:


WW1 U-Boot U-54 also during their passage thru the Canal:

[jason210]

I don't know what the others here are refering to, but I am talking about navigation lights, aka as running lights. Since models for the lights are clearly present on the model of the U-boat, it would be nice to be able to turn them on and off, mainly as eye-candy when in and around harbours.

Nice photographs, by the way :-)

[Albert_Jung]

Very nice idea. I'm a fan of the nitty-gritty navigation issues, so i find nav lights idea very appealing.

[don1reed]

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[SubHunter88]

Nav lights should be on in home waters. I think it's normal practice unless a blackout was in effect, Especially back in those days... Navigating a busy harbor or channel at night in dicey water can be trickey.

Once coming home from patrol, (lorient) it was about 0230, Heavy seas and Dense fog, overcast. I had a Cruiser come steaming flank straight at me and i narrowly missed being run through as i couldn't get visual on it until it was inside 250-300M and we were both going almost straight down eachother's centerline. I pulled hard starboard at the last, and i missed by less then 20ft



Some home water lights would be good... or the search light where the player could control it from the bridge

[thoomsn]

If someone is still interested: Position lights (on both sides of the tower, at it's rear side and that one far aft) were only used in own waters after being overtaken by the escorts, mine sweepers or other units patrolling at u-boat bases. When in action, they were always off duty (as well as the life-buoys at both sides of the tower).
The flag was only raised when coming to or being in port and leaving it. As soon as land was out of side, the flag and the flag pole were removed and brought under deck (therefor the flag pole shouldn't be on the 3D-modells as well as those two life-buoys). The morse lamp (named "Varta-Lampe" after it's builder) as seen in "Das Boot" of course was always aboard for communication with other units at sea.

Regards;
thoomsn

[oscarenwickler]

Das Boot Herr kalun