Planning & Preparation

U-505 had several tower configurations and refits during its career.

  • Under its first command (KrvKpt. Axel-Olaf Löwe), the boat started off with its original Turm 0 tower.
  • Under its second command (Kptlt. Peter Zschech), the boat was refit several times.
    During the 5X refit (Dec-1942 through Jun-1943) the boat had a Turm II tower fitted, which was then immediately replaced with a larger Turm IV tower in May-June 1943.
  • Later refits (under Zschech and then the boat's final commander Oblt. Harald Lange) saw various repairs & updates (including tower armament).

During the last stage of the 5X refit when the Turm IV tower was installed – the configuration that I am modelling – the armament was substantially altered:

  • Tower rear upper platform hosted 2x twin-2,0cm guns
  • Tower rear lower (wintergarden) platform hosted a fast-firing Flakvierling 38 (2,0cm quad gun)
  • Replacement 3,7cm cannon on the aft deck was removed
  • 10,5cm deck gun on the foredeck was permanently removed by the end of the refit

 

5X Refit : Last Stages of the Turm IV Tower Refit (June 1943)

Refit History :

The following resource is an exceptionally well-documented source for the history of U-505:

U-505 timeline U 505: Modifications, Colour & Insignia
Dougie Martindale
Accurate Model Parts

Information about the 5X refit is well documented, and summarized on page 53 of the above reference


Armament:

  • TOWER (Turm IV):
    • Upper platform: two (2x) twin-2,0cm guns
    • Lower (wintergarden) platform: Flakvierling 38 (quad 2,0cm)
    • Spare barrel container for 2,0cm gun barrel(s) — location TBD
  • FOREDECK
    • 10,5cm deck gun (present before its removal by end of Turm IV refit)
  • AFT DECK:
    • No armament on aft deck


Radar:

  • PRESENT:
    • FuMO-30 radar (without Samoa dipoles) – port-side housing
  • NOT PRESENT:
    • FuMB-1 Metox ("Biscay Cross") – not present during refit; used only during operations
    • FuMB Ant 3 Bali 1 antenna


Hydrophone:


Colours:

  • Tower & upper hull: Schlickgrau 58
  • Lower hull: Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau I


Tower Insignias:

Under the command of Kptlt. Peter Zschech, the following insignias appeared on the tower:

  • Large axe on both sides of the tower, below the spray deflector
  • Olympic rings (Crew 36) at front of tower

These decals have been accurately created in Accurate Model Parts decal set #T9-AXE-72


(U-505 tower insignias shown with permission from Accurate Model Parts.)

Waterline Markings:

 

References

Here are a few of the sources that I used to get more information about the Type IXC boats, and U-505 in particular:

Vom Original zum Modell: Uboottype IX C Vom Original zum Modell: Uboottyp IX C
ISBN 3-7637-6005-9)
Fritz Köhl/Axel Niestlé
   
Hunt and Kill: U-505 and the U-boat War in the Atlantic Hunt and Kill: U-505 and the U-Boat War in the Atlantic
ISBN 161121128X
Theodore Savas
   
AMP: Type IX discussion forums Type IX discussion forums
Accurate Model Parts website
   
The Wolf Pack The Wolf Pack: A Collection of U-boat Modelling Articles
Dougie Martindale & Wink Grisé
Accurate Model Parts
   
U-505 mods, colours, insignias U 505: Modifications, Colour & Insignia
Dougie Martindale
Accurate Model Parts
   
AMP U-boat decals A Guide to AMP U-boat Decals
Dougie Martindale
Accurate Model Parts

 

Bits & Pieces – Planned

  • Revell of German (Basic Kit) :
    Revell of Germany #05114
    German submarine Type IX C (U505 late)

  • RC Subs :
    PE detail set
    (In a departure from previous plans, I will NOT be replacing the full deck with PE deck.)
PE Sheet 1 Sheet 1 Detail pictures: Close-up of Sheet 1 Close-up of Sheet 1
PE Sheet 2 Sheet 2 Detail pictures: Close-up of Sheet 2 Close-up of Sheet 2 Close-up of Sheet 2 Close-up of Sheet 2
Resin Cast Cast parts
Manual

 

  • Nautilus Models :
    1/72 Type IXC wooden deck set (72-508)

  • Eduard :
    1/72 Type IX C sets (53106, 53107, 53108)
    1/72 S-100 Schnellboot Flak 38mm (53033)
    1/72 German Submarine 10,5cm deck gun (672053) – re-issued in May 2015 in proper scale

  • Griffon Models :
    1/72 Standard Armament Scheme for WWII German U-boote Type VIIC/41 (GMA-N005)
    1/72 WWII German Schnellboot S-100 Class w/ 2cm Flakvierling 38 Premium Edition (BPN-72002)

  • Schatton-Modellbau :
    Type IX periscopes (72168)
    Type IX AA gun barrels (72169)

  • CMK :
    N72013 Dt. U-Boot Typ IX Exterior Set, Part I
    N72021 Dt. U-Boot Typ IX Exterior Set, Part II

  • Tehnoart :
    U9 Fittings Set 1

  • Scale Scenics :
    Brass Micro-Mesh (652-3501)

  • Archer Fine Transfers :
    Arc weld beads .025 inch (.64mm) - (AR88018)
    Rivets (sizes TBD)