Rusty or Not

[Koondawg]

im curious...seen alot of skins with rust, look like they are about one patrol away from splitting apart...
then again the nice clean paints that look like a new boat...
Which do you captain...and why

[joea]

New bacause real subs never got as rusty as some skins show.

[Woof1701]

I prefer skins were the boat maybe looked slightly used and not as if it just came out of the wharf. Some skins show a little rust around the flood holes. That looks pretty nice.

[SubV]

Originally Posted by joea

New bacause real subs never got as rusty as some skins show.

Agreed. I think most of that 'rusty' photos were taken long after the war ended.

[slow_n_ez]

I never been in the navy but I seriously doubt when the boat is at port for re-stock that the crew was given a 2 week leave to go on a drinking spree as you see in movies ......

Plus I doubt that Hitler ( or any other country's leader ) would appreiciate their war machines looking like something from a junk yard ......

[nikbear]

Personally,I like a little bit of rust in the early war years(even new or just painted stuff soon rusts in a sea enviroment)and a bit more signs of use in the later war years as man power diminished and allied air raids took their toll on normal kriegsmarine efficiency and supplies

[mrbeast]

Originally Posted by slow_n_ez

I never been in the navy but I seriously doubt when the boat is at port for re-stock that the crew was given a 2 week leave to go on a drinking spree as you see in movies ......

Plus I doubt that Hitler ( or any other country's leader ) would appreiciate their war machines looking like something from a junk yard ......

Crew did indeed spend most of their time after a patrol 'enjoing' themselves. They would be celebrating the fact that they had survived and living life to the full for the few weeks leave they got till the next patrol which might be their last! Refits were not carried out by the crew in the case of the KM U boats were taken in hand by work men and dock fitters and in the USN an entire 'relief crew' would take over the boat when it came back in port.

U boats like any other military vehicles are simply machines and as such their appearance in wartime was only of interest as far as it affected their combat effectiveness. Therefore rust was only a problem if began to damage the boat or it affected the ability of its camoflage to hide it.

I've never served in the navy, but I have a good friend who served 23 years in the RN. According to him the condition of a vessel can depend on many factors. The quality of paint and the ability of those who apply it and maintain it. The length of time a vessel spends on patrol and between refits. The weather conditions it encounters. Where its sent and during wartime what sort of enemy action it encounters. Some vessels can appear in a very sorry state, others can be in very good condition and all shades in between. So really all of the rusty skins are just as accurate as the clean ones.

[nikbear]

Exactly my thinking mrbeast I've always been of the opinion that in war time certain jobs will get done and sometimes not,towards the end of the war I doubt very much if giving a U-boat a fresh lick of paint came very high on the agender and I dare say supply always outstripped demand,a fine balance is whats required healthy maintanance Vs good old wear and tear

[tommyk]

Originally Posted by joea

New bacause real subs never got as rusty as some skins show.

same here...

[JU_88]

Originally Posted by joea

New bacause real subs never got as rusty as some skins show.

Yeah - because sadly- most of them didnt survive long enough to get rusty!

[U49]

I would expect MY boat in a fresh camo scheme and always to be in perfect combat readiness condition.
But all those other boat I see in the harbor or in the open sea are likely to be rusty and "used"...

If I understand it right, the skin must be for all subs of the same type the same?
OK, I hope all the other commanders are up to my standard , let all boats be clean and freshly painted!

[lutzow]

I voted rusty. And i still vote for rusted, weathered, rawaged by depth charges and totally USED skin witch depth charged story. Rusted skin looks more realistic than fresh painted one.

[funkmaat]

Did you see the state of the Ark Royal on the way to the Falklands/Malvinas?

[Jimbuna]

A little bit rust never went amiss :hmm:

[mrbeast]

Originally Posted by funkmaat

Did you see the state of the Ark Royal on the way to the Falklands/Malvinas?

The Task Force that recaptured the Falklands is a very good example. They left port (for the most part) in imaculate peacetime paint and returned looking very rusty and battered. The rough winter seas of the the south atlantic really took their toll on the ships.