Type IX-C U-505 and a Ju-87R-2 Stuka

[Hummel]

Hello all,

I was in Chicago a few weeks ago and thanks to the suggestions of Bob Coleman and Harryamb2 I made it to the Museum of Science+Industry there. They have a Stuka, captured the North Africa theater, and U-505, a Type IX-C U-boat. Apparently the U-boat used to be outside in the open weather but now they house it indoors. It is displayed rather nicely with a torpedo leaving one of the tubes. I will share a few photos. I took several but my camera was not on the right setting and most did not come out well enough to share. I was very disappointed that they were sold out of tickets for the interior tours of U-505 that day so I just have a couple exterior shots.

Hummel

Ju-87R-2 Stuka.


U-505 Type IX-C

[bigmacglenn]

I didn't know there was a Stuka in the US, very cool! I notice it's missing the wheel-covers...
cheers, Glenn

[big ned]

I didn't know there was a Stuka in the US, very cool! I notice it's missing the wheel-covers...
cheers, Glenn

I actually wondered who would be the first to mention that old chestnut again, it didn't take long! The wheel spats were removed in this case as they used to cause sand to become clogged up around the oleo legs and wheels which could cause serious problems especially when landing. Likewise they could dig in during landing on soft sand causing ground loops, or worse. It's not a well known fact that the Ju87 undercarriage was renowned for being rather weak which may sound suprising, but is true.

They were also regularly removed from aircraft on the Eastern front, as similar problems were encountered with picking up mud which then froze, as well as ice and snow. Doing so helped negate the problem to a fair degree.

Regards, Ned.

[Allegra]

Hey, great pictures and thanks for sharing - a damned pity that the you could have a tour of the sub though.

Just as a matter of interest, do they actually dust the planes? (Sorry - my mind wanders at times)

Cheers
Tim

[AZPhil]

Looks like a great museum. Sorry to hear you missed out on the Sub tour.

Thanks for the pic's
Semper Fi
Phil

[big ned]

Hey, great pictures and thanks for sharing - a damned pity that the you could have a tour of the sub though.

Just as a matter of interest, do they actually dust the planes? (Sorry - my mind wanders at times)

Cheers
Tim

Not generally no. The last time they tried to get the Stuka down from the ceiling for a bit of a spring clean, they dropped it! It then spent a rather long time being taken away and repaired at great cost.

Regards, Ned.

[Danmark]

So with the spats removed what happens with the sirens?

A silent stuka??......

[big ned]

So with the spats removed what happens with the sirens?

A silent stuka??......

Hi Dan,

The siren, or 'Jericho Trumpet', was only really used at the very start of the war in Poland, France and the low countries. By the time of the Battle of Britain they'd gone by most reports, as they curtailed the airspeed of the already slow aircraft. By the time the 'R' series above was in production they were long gone. The Germans did however fit a type of 'tin whistle' to some of their bombs at times (as did the RAF) for the same reason of frightening those getting the good news below, but these also petered out as things got more pressing.

Regards, Ned.

[Danmark]

Thanks old bean, a walking encyclopedia as always!

Cheers, Dan