Recently my gf and I visited the U-505 German sub that was captured by the US Navy during WWII and brought to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. We took a tour of the interior and it was very interesting and interactive. Amazing how people lived aboard this sub during the 40s.

Although they did not allow pictures of the interior, we did take pix of the exterior--thought I'd share some

U-505 Pictures

v6,
boNes

Good stuff there bones, thanks. Why didn't they allow interior pictures? Too disruptive?

Yes, nice photos, but it is too bad that you couldn't photograph the interior. I went to the Bowfin in Hawaii, and they let us take photographs everywhere. It was tight quarters, but from what I've read, nothing as tight as the German U-Boats.

That's terrible to block interior pics, that's the best part!
May have a chance to go to Chicago next year, I'll have to check this out.

That is a nice setup. The last time I saw the U505 it was still outside. I am glad they brought her in to protect her from the elements.

Strange. I went to the museum with my girlfriend last year and got to take loads of pictures on the inside. We somehow managed to wangle a one-on-one tour with an ex-Navy guide, though, so I don't know if that made the difference.

It was a fantastically well constructed exhibit, though. The way that they walk you through the Battle of the Atlantic on the way through to the actual submarine is wonderful.

The Capture of U-505 is one of the greatest war action of WW2,it is a symbol of the brilliant way the USN conducted its antisubmarine warfare,the clever coordination between airborne and surface units...the German submarine arm was tough (even an unlucky and doomed boat as U-505) and it took though men to beat it !

For those who want to know more about...

I forget why they wouldn't allow pictures inside. It might have been disruptive.

Yes the way they walk you through the exhibit with the Battle of the Atlantic and the holograms and such are nice...much nicer then when I first saw it as a kid when it was outside.

After the exhibit they present to you how it was moved from outside to inside and that wing of the museum was built around the new display. BTW, the U-505 was designated a historical site in 2003, so it will get all the upkeep it needs in the future.

v6,
boNes

Sorry to break this to you, but I'm the guy that ruined your chances of ever taking interior photos of the U-505.

http://uboat.net/gallery/index.html?gallery=U505C

Wasn't my intention, I just took some photos and had uboat.net post them. The CMoS&I pitched a fit and banned all interior photos claiming they own a copyright of the interior (That one was never explained to me). It's a long story if you ever want to hear it, PM me.

Yea, that makes a huge difference. I'm jealous, because last time I went I was hoping to use the D10 I was borrowing to take photos of the interior...to post them again.

Oh, that's right! They mentioned copyright purposes. Ah well...

v6,
boNes

Visited there summer 2009, very nice museum, espesially the submarine.

Dang, I have some pictures we took in the 1970's when we were onboard her. I was wanting to go again but if you can't take pictures inside of it it won't be worth it to me.


Wheels

Post #6150

The 505 is pretty cool to see. My goodness it was probably around 1978 last time I was at the museum! Kind of strange since I'm only about three hours from Chicago and it's an awesome museum. Throw in the Museum of History and Shedd Aquarium and it makes for a great weekend.

This summer I went to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and toured the sub USS Torsk. Still in the water tied to a pier...also pretty cool to see, along with the USS Constellation (sister of the USS Constitution in Boston).

I've been aboard the U-505 dozens of times over the years (native Chicagoan, got my Dad to take me there as often as I could growing up) never got tired of it. I saw it the last weekend before they brought it inside and saw the new exhibit with my Mom for her first time. Even she thought it was very cool.

Its an extremly unique opportunity that you should'nt miss out on. But like visiting the USS Intrepid in Manhattan -- I think many Chicagoans take it for granted.
The boat is really small considering the crew size and the length of the voyages-- and the U-505 is a "big" type IX u-boat! I look forward to one day visiting a type VII.

BTW the USS Torsk exhibit is really cool. When I saw her there was no docent, so I paid my bucks and wandered around by myself until my GF got so bored she started to spoil my fun.

It's a very nice exhibit (as some of you recall, I was there this past August). The 'no-interior' photography bit, though, is entirely BS. I've been to many a naval history museum, and the MSI is the only out there that's not allowed photography inside a boat. Of course, that didn't prevent me from sneaking this interior pic while I was there:

Good job, Luke!

Tarnsman, too bad about your gf getting bored. I'm lucky that my gf is a big WWII history buff (esp since she is born and raised in Poland) so she is totally fascinated by European Theatre WWII and so this boat was great for her:





v6,
boNes

Wow bones, you definitely have a keeper there!!

Nicely trimmed vessel.

Dude.

And she's good looking too!

Bones, you are a lucky man.