Choroszy Models

Owner: Arek Choroszy

Website: http://www.modelbud.pl/

E-Mail: modelbud@wp.pl

German Small U-Boat "Seeteufel"

Kit # S49

Scale: 1/72

Material: Resin

Model Build Review date: November, 2009

Model Build Review author: Tony Ivey

Development

The Seeteufel was a tracked, 2 man small U-Boat which solved the problem getting into and out of the water. The first and only prototype was developed at Kiel-Eckernforde which was the Kriegsmarine's torpedo testing center where Dipl. Ing Alois Loedige was the project leader. The Seeteufel was available for testing in the summer of 1944. Since there were no diesel engines available, an 80hp gasoline truck engine had to be installed. It served for both surface propulsion (8kts) and land propulsion (20km/h). The Seeteufel was to be armed primarily with two torpedoes. Mines and possibly either machine guns or flame throwers were also considered. The trials at Eckernförde showed the vessel to have very good maneuvering and handling abilities although underpowered. It was subsequently decided that the production series should have a 250hp diesel engine. It was also discovered that the tracks were too narrow and would have to be refitted with larger ones.

Destruction:

After testing was completed, a series of standard Seeteufels were ordered at the Borgward factory in Bremen but production never began. The only existing experimental vessel was taken to a facility near Lübeck and destroyed at the end of the war.

Technical Data:

Description: Small U-Boat (Amphibious)

First launched: 1944

Crew: 2

Displacement (surface): circa 2.0 t

Displacement (submerged): 18 - 20 t

Length: 44.55 ft (13.5 m)

Width: 6.6 ft (2.0 m)

Height: 9.57 ft (2.9 m)

Height (with Snorkel Mast): 18.15 ft (5.5 m)

Max speed on land: 20 km/hr

Max speed surfaced: 10 kt

Max speed submerged (gas engine / with Snorkel): 10 kt

Max speed submerged (electric engine) 8 kt

Radius surfaced (top speed): 30 hours

Radius surfaced (cruising speed): 80 hours

Radius submerged (top speed with gas engine): 30 hours

Radius submerged (top speed with electric engine) 10 hours

Radius submerged (cruising speed with gas engine): 80 hours

Radius submerged (cruising speed with electric engine): 20 hours

Max diving depth: 165 ft (50 m) (prototype made 66 ft (20 m)

Diving time (stationary): unknown

Diving time (alarm moving): unknown

Fuel amount carried: unknown

Torpedo tubes: none (torpedoes carried on side racks)

Number of torpedoes: 2 (type G7e)

Sub-Assembly 1: Main Hull

Left Photo: left & right hull halves (outside), no air bubbles, locating holes for front & rear fins, little bit of flash to remove

Right Photo: hull halves (inside), small air bubble (does not interfere with kit), locating pins / holes to join hull together

Left Photo: (top) hull glued together, gaps filled in 1st with Squadron Green Putty, the sanded, then a layer of CA glue (thin) and sanded once more. I painted the top inside portion at this time with a light gray (which will get covered later). There are 2 dimples on the hull left and right sides about halfway from front to back and close to the mounted ring on hull top. On the drawings and the 2 wartime wooden models of the "Seeteufel" this is where 2 round brackets are found, probally for securing the boat to a pier or another ship, etc. I will use parts from spares box for these.

Right Photo: (bottom) hull gap filled in and sanded as above

Sub-Assembly 2: Upper Hull

Left Photo: upper hull deck plate, 2x lifting hooks, cupola, viewing bubble (1x spare) and viewing bubble mounting ring, snorkel, snorkel upper plate, periscope and antennae. Some thin flash to remove on parts. The cupola sits on a resin plug and it is hollow. I will place a 'driver' (bust) in the cupola and may leave the bubble open. You will need to open up the cupola viewing ports as well as 4 slits on the snorkel. Just in front of the mounting hole for the snorkel should be a small access cover (possibly the fuel door - not provided with kit). This piece is shown on the drawings and also on the 2 wartime wooden models of the "Seeteufel".

Right Photo: upper hull deck complete (minus the hatch ring mount and viewing glass) with snorkel, ultra-long range antennae, 2 lifting hooks and 2 tie-off hooks in place

Left Photo: the supplied cupola has all of the vision holes as squares, the "Seeteufel" had round vision holes. Also, the hatch hinge mounts are basic and off center on rear of cupola.

Right Photo: cupola vison holes rounded out with hobby knife, then I used plastruct tube to line the holse and give a nice ridge on the outside. The inside was sanded flush with cupola wall.