Topic: Schnellboot s38 torpedo doors (Read 3278 times)

funnel · « **on:** July 12, 2020, 10:01:47 pm »

Hello all

Has anyone built an S38 Schnellboot with working torpedo doors.
I am progressing with a1:24 model and feel that perhaps it would be worth having operating torpedo doors on the large model as well as revolving guns.

I would like to know what operating methods have been used for both doors and guns by anyone here.

Further, has anyone painted one of the fancy camouflage designs found on those vessels used in the Baltic.

Any tips, photos, drawings, deck features gratefully received.

Toby

warspite · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2020, 09:50:20 am »

Could the hinge pins be extended to under the deck and fitted to a servo horn to operate?

deadbeat · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2020, 09:57:34 am »

For camo I recommend using Steve Wiper's book German S Boats available from Amazon.
I repainted my brother's S38 using one of the designs, piccy attached (my S100 is on the top (now sold)).
My brother did have opening doors and torpedoes that fired by spring action, but I can't remember the mechanism he used to open the doors. By the time I renovated his boat a lot had rusted up I didn't unrust it for him.

terry horton · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2020, 10:02:41 am »

Youtube shows one or two 1/35 conversions highlighting the functions required... something I've been pondering on for a while.

Regards
Terry H

funnel · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2020, 11:07:37 am »

Thank you warsprite, Deadbeat and Terry.
I have been considering discreet extensions to the hinge pins and that may be the best option yet, but thought I would just check here the ingenuity of other members.

I will go and order the book you recommend, thank you!

The photo of the two boats is very interesting.
The boat with the fancy camouflage has the sort I was thinking of trying.

I like the idea of working torpedoes! Now you have set me another problem/ challenge to solve. I wonder how he retrieved the torpedoes and were they powered.

Toby

funnel · « **Reply #5 on:** July 13, 2020, 11:22:46 am »

Just a secondary thought has crossed my mind. I presume the doors open independently as required; or do both doors open at the same time?

You mention a spring mechanism you thought was used and I am doodling ideas. Would he have loaded the torpedoes thought the front doors?
I note you say that you have sold your S100 but is your brother's vessel still about?

Toby

funnel · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2020, 11:24:19 am »

Deadbeat,

Were your models 1:24?

funnel · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2020, 11:50:12 am »

Interesting period film with some in colour. Some interesting detail shots.

https://youtu.be/4CDMyd_JTVY

deadbeat · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2020, 04:52:28 pm »

Yes both were 1/24 scale, mine was an S100 and my brother's an S38 with a 40mm Bofors.

gra2 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2020, 10:22:39 am »

Hi Toby a photo of my 1/24 scale S boat in camo.

Graham

gra2 · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2020, 10:28:54 am »

Another in action.

Graham

gra2 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2020, 10:35:33 am »

This is the original colour scheme as built.

Graham

funnel · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2020, 11:51:50 am »

Graham

Thank you for sharing your photos of your super model. The effect difference on the eyes between the original paint job and the camouflage paint work is amazing. Can you recall the colours you used for they look similar to those I am considering. I assume the camouflage is brushed free- hand; or did you make a template?

Did you manage to source source some fittings and if so from where or did you have to make such. I am looking also for some German crew figures, can you recall where you acquired yours?

I am just awaiting the arrival of books recommended that I have ordered. Buy the way whose plans did you use?

Thanks again.

Toby

deadbeat · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2020, 01:10:07 pm »

Some more photos of my brother's S38

funnel · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2020, 02:18:44 pm »

Deadbeat,

These are very helpful too. Thank you.

I found these links which albeit not our scale provide helpful images tips and thoughts.

http://modellmarine.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=692&catid=189

http://modellmarine.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=483&catid=189

http://modellmarine.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=275&catid=189

Toby

gra2 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 15, 2020, 08:03:19 am »

Hi Toby I used Humbrol paint for the camo but I cannot remember the numbers.
I did use a mid grey, light grey and a mid brown .
I did cut templates from frisk film masking paper as I went using a airbrush.
The figures are 1/24 scale german firemen modified for boat crew they came from Preiser a german company not sure if they are still available.
Shapeways in America have suitable figures but they are expensive.

Hull and plan was from Metcalf mouldings remainder scratch built plan was for S80 a S38 type boat.
Hope this helps.
Graham

gra2 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2020, 10:33:06 am »

Hi Toby I should have added that Sovereign Paints have some of the colours you require if not all.

Graham

funnel · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2020, 10:48:37 am »

Graham,

Thank for the extra information.

When I was in Germany I visited a few models/ toys shops and Preiser was evidently available albeit these were of smaller scale. I will investigate. Improvising adapting and a dremel can work wonders!

Toby

funnel · « **Reply #18 on:** July 17, 2020, 02:37:28 am »

Whilst awaiting the arrival of other books, the book, Schnellboot in Action by Krakow arrived. Superb book with excellent photos, info and drawings. Very pleased with it and it shows the progression from one class of schnellboot to another.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Schnellboot-Action-David-Krakow/dp/0897476603

Toby

funnel · « **Reply #19 on:** July 18, 2020, 08:39:54 pm »

German S- Boats by Steve Wiper had arrived today. Looking great so far. Thanks for recommending.

Toby

funnel · « **Reply #20 on:** July 23, 2020, 02:19:33 pm »

Book arrived today but although it says s38 and s100 on the cover it concerns s38b and s100. The drawings look clear ands the 3d images have detail and if correct would be an interesting aid. Pity nothing about the s38 the reason for buying the book.
Picture of cover attached.

I did note in the book that the images showed chequer plate on the deck. Is this correct for an s38?

Toby

funnel · « **Reply #21 on:** July 23, 2020, 02:24:15 pm »

Re the torpedo doors an I correct in assuming that the housing atop the door hinge comprises a gear/ cog mechanism and the rod protruding is a shaft the length of the tube turn ed by hand by the operator working by the bridge.

Toby

deadbeat · « **Reply #22 on:** July 24, 2020, 09:48:28 am »

I have a number of photos seached from the interweb on S boats, I attach two regarding torpedo doors but I don't think they are detailed enough for your purposes, but anyway every little helps. The torpedo opening mechanism will be the same for the S38, S38b and S100, so you may find some useful stuff in the books you bought.

funnel · « **Reply #23 on:** July 24, 2020, 11:59:14 am »

Thank you for those photo. Indeed they are very helpful. Any idea on whether or not there was chequer plate on the deck of s38?

deadbeat · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2020, 10:06:12 am »

From all the pictures I collected whilst building my S100, I did not detect any use of chequer plate. I attach some deck pictures.

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Author Topic: Schnellboot s38 torpedo doors (Read 3278 times)