Type VII U-boat "Workshop Manual" Coming In October

nikimcbee · 05-14-14, 09:53 AM

Now they need a "Dummies Guide to U-Boats."

When you crash dive, make sure the hatch is closed.

Subnuts · 05-14-14, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Now they need a "Dummies Guide to U-Boats."

When you crash dive, make sure the hatch is closed.

The HMS Victory manual tells you how to rig a temporary rudder, raise and lower anchors, prepare a cannon for firing, remove and refit the capstan, use the portable forge, tack and wear ship, and get the ship ready for sea, among other things. It's actually one of the most enjoyable naval history books I've read in recent years.

Platapus · 05-14-14, 07:34 PM

Just in time for christmas shopping too.

Subnuts · 06-21-14, 09:57 AM

Looks like the book is listed on Hayne's website now, and can be pre-ordered through Amazon, with a tentative release date of October 1st. I'm still hoping it's better than Hayne's output from the last few months. I bought the Heathrow Airport manual that came out last month, and while it's slick and pretty, the "workshop manual" series is starting to drift away from the nitty-gritty detail that made it so appealing to me.

Subnuts · 09-19-14, 03:06 PM

Amazon US says they'll have copies in stock on September 22. Haven't seen any preview pics yet, so I might just wait until the first reviews start to roll in. Not really convinced it'll be anything new, but I really enjoyed Hanyes' new book on the Soyuz spacecraft, so this might be worthwhile...

Subnuts · 09-24-14, 01:54 PM

I just got my copy, and gave it a quick once-over...and I'm not really impressed at all. Looks pretty much like a rehash of stuff we already know - no real technical insights, only a couple of basic overview diagrams, no step-by-step "how it works" stuff. More of a basic history with some soft-core technical details thrown in for good measure. Nothing to really qualify it as a "workshop manual" in my book.

Haynes is really losing me lately. I've ordered seven of their books released in 2014, and three have been disappointments so far, and another one just toed the line. They have a book on the Bismarck as part of their 2015 lineup, but I'm not holding my breath at this point.

Subnuts · 09-24-14, 07:06 PM

I'm only about 21 pages in, but I can already tell this is going to be a rough one. So far, I've seen:

A vague reference to the Type VII having been "originally developed during the First World War."
A picture of a Type II out of water with her three-tube bow clearly visible identified as a Type VIIA.
U-1 described as the first U-boat to serve during the Battle of the Atlantic (she didn't make her first war patrol until March 1940)
The date of Donitz's succession to Chancellor is given as October 30, 1945
1,500 ton submarine cruisers and 500 ton coastal minelayers are mentioned as types under construction at the beginning of the war. Which types were these again?

Well, at least the pictures are nice.

05-14-14, 09:53 AM	#1
nikimcbee Fleet Admiral Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Patroling the Slot. Posts: 17,952 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Now they need a "Dummies Guide to U-Boats." When you crash dive, make sure the hatch is closed. __________________

05-14-14, 07:34 PM	#3
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,379 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	Just in time for christmas shopping too. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

06-21-14, 09:57 AM	#4
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Looks like the book is listed on Hayne's website now, and can be pre-ordered through Amazon, with a tentative release date of October 1st. I'm still hoping it's better than Hayne's output from the last few months. I bought the Heathrow Airport manual that came out last month, and while it's slick and pretty, the "workshop manual" series is starting to drift away from the nitty-gritty detail that made it so appealing to me. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

09-19-14, 03:06 PM	#5
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Amazon US says they'll have copies in stock on September 22. Haven't seen any preview pics yet, so I might just wait until the first reviews start to roll in. Not really convinced it'll be anything new, but I really enjoyed Hanyes' new book on the Soyuz spacecraft, so this might be worthwhile... __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

09-24-14, 01:54 PM	#6
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	I just got my copy, and gave it a quick once-over...and I'm not really impressed at all. Looks pretty much like a rehash of stuff we already know - no real technical insights, only a couple of basic overview diagrams, no step-by-step "how it works" stuff. More of a basic history with some soft-core technical details thrown in for good measure. Nothing to really qualify it as a "workshop manual" in my book. Haynes is really losing me lately. I've ordered seven of their books released in 2014, and three have been disappointments so far, and another one just toed the line. They have a book on the Bismarck as part of their 2015 lineup, but I'm not holding my breath at this point. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews

09-24-14, 07:06 PM	#7
Subnuts The Old Man Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,658 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	I'm only about 21 pages in, but I can already tell this is going to be a rough one. So far, I've seen: A vague reference to the Type VII having been "originally developed during the First World War." A picture of a Type II out of water with her three-tube bow clearly visible identified as a Type VIIA. U-1 described as the first U-boat to serve during the Battle of the Atlantic (she didn't make her first war patrol until March 1940) The date of Donitz's succession to Chancellor is given as October 30, 1945 1,500 ton submarine cruisers and 500 ton coastal minelayers are mentioned as types under construction at the beginning of the war. Which types were these again? Well, at least the pictures are nice. __________________ My Amazon.com reviews