Finished Photos of RevellAG's 1/72 U-505 WWII U-Boat (Captured by the US Navy!)

[Phillip1]

Fellow Modelers,

Below are photos of RevellAG’s 1/72 scale (40” length) German U-505 Type IXC WWII submarine built in 2017. This submarine is famously known for being captured intact by U.S. Navy Task Group 22.3 on June 4, 1944. U-505 was abandoned by its crew after being heavily damaged by depth charges and they tried to scuttle the submarine, but American sailors were able to get on board and stop the flooding before it sank. My model is painted/weathered to look like it would have at the end of April 1944, six weeks into its final patrol. There is a good bit of wear and paint loss on the upper hull and conning tower, but not nearly as much as when it was captured by U.S. Naval forces on June 4th. The model was built almost straight from the box, with no after-markets parts. I only added a few styrene, wire and photo-etch pieces here and there. The fit and detail of all the major parts (hull/conning tower) was outstanding and I think the kit built up really well out of the box. There is strong evidence U-505’s conning tower had been painted dark blue at the time of its last patrol. This was not common for late war Type IXC U-boats but several cases have been documented. For this dark blue color I used Model Master Insignia Blue-1719. The 2nd U-Flottile green shell tower decals came from Accurate Model Parts and were used in place of the kit decals. I have always thought the hull shape of the Type IXC is as attractive as the more common Type VIIC. The last two well-known photos show U-505 in tow immediately after being taken into captivity and it can be seen how close it came to sinking by how low it is riding in the water. Below is a history of U-505.

Before being captured in June 1944, U-505 had a very eventful career. It made a total of 12 war patrols, with five being prematurely aborted due to mechanical problems or sabotage. A total of eight ships were sunk by U-505 accounting for 44,962 GRT. It was hit by a bomb from a British aircraft during its forth patrol but survived, earning the distinction of being the most heavily damaged U-boat of the war to make it back to port. During its 10th patrol U-505’s second captain committed suicide during a depth charge attack, making him the only U-boat commander to do so during WWII.
After being captured U-505 spent the next 10 years in Bermuda. In 1954 the submarine was donated to the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, and displayed as an outside exhibit. In 1989 it was designated a National Historic Landmark. In 2004 the museum moved U-505 to a new underground, covered, climate-controlled location, protecting it from the elements. Today U-505 has been almost completely restored to its wartime configuration. I hope you enjoy the photos.




























Until next time...

Phillip1

[RangerNeil]

Lovely job - well done!!

I've got the Type VIIC in the stash, same scale, I hope that build goes as well as yours.

[digger303]

[aur0ra145]

Nicely done!

[Phillip1]

RangerNeil/digger303/aur0ra145-Thanks for the compliments.

RangerNeil-I have built the Revell 1/72 Type VIIC U-boat and it is a great kit. The detail is not quiet as good as on the Type IXC model, but it builds really well with no major issues. I am sure your attempt will turn out great.

Phillip1

[RangerNeil]

RangerNeil/digger303/aur0ra145-Thanks for the compliments.

RangerNeil-I have built the Revell 1/72 Type VIIC U-boat and it is a great kit. The detail is not quiet as good as on the Type IXC model, but it builds really well with no major issues. I am sure your attempt will turn out great.

Phillip1

Cheers Phillip - also got the Matchbox release of the Flower class Corvette in 1/72 so toying with the idea of one above the other dropping depth charges......

[Twokidsnosleep]

Super cool sub build

[Stokesy44]

Beautiful work. Love it all, the paintwork, the rigging, the photography!

[Phillip1]

Twokidsnosleep/Stokesy44-Thank you very much!

RangerNeil-A 1/72 corvette and U-boat in a diorama setting is a fantastic (and very ambitious) idea!

Phillip1

[DRUMS01]

Nice subject, great story, and wonderful modeling. It seems you got the trifecta!

[Phillip1]

DRUMS01-Thanks!

Phillip1

[Tomcat64]

Another beautiful result Phillip - I love the range of subjects you take on

[Phillip1]

Tomcat64-Thanks for your continued support!

Phillip1

[RangerNeil]

Twokidsnosleep/Stokesy44-Thank you very much!

RangerNeil-A 1/72 corvette and U-boat in a diorama setting is a fantastic (and very ambitious) idea!

Phillip1

Also a VERY space consuming one!!!