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U 47 Modifications & Colours

Part VI – Summaries

(A) Modifications summary

As previously mentioned, the codes next to the modifications also appear on the comparative set of drawings. The letter indicates the period when the modification occurred, whereas the number bears no particular significance.

Before October 1939

A1 Spray deflector added.

A2 Breakwaters added outboard of the 88mm deck gun.
A3 Two emergency rescue buoys moved inside deck hatches.
A4 Black patch over diesel exhaust outlets painted over.

Pre-war features removed on the 19th August 1939

B1 White “47” on tower painted over.
B2 Small oval plates near bow removed.
B3 Bronze eagle plaque at front of tower removed.
B4 White “U-Flottille Weneger” and “U 47” inscriptions on the two red horseshoe-shaped lifebelts painted over.
B5 Identification markings on the two red and white emergency rescue buoys removed.

Late October/Early November 1939

C1 Spray deflector extended around tower.
C2 Small railings fitted to top side of spray deflector.
C3 Small railings fitted over each of the snorting bulls.

December 1939 - February 1940

D1 20mm Flak gun re-sited to aft end of tower.
D2 Cartridge tray on starboard side of 20mm mount removed.
D3 Tower enlarged to accommodate 20mm gun.
D4 Grill added in place of some ventilation holes on the starboard side.
D5 Leak in interior fuel bunker II repaired.
D6 Short circuits in GHG hydrophones repaired.
D7 Only one jumping wire attachment point fitted on each side of tower rather than two.
D8 Very small fairlead added to both trailing edges of tower bulwarks.
D9 Rear navigation light altered.



8th/9th March 1940

E1 New 20mm MG C/30 anti-aircraft gun fitted.
E2 Modifications made to radio sets.

April/May 1940 F1 Starboard diesel repaired.
F2 Crack in starboard diving tank IV repaired.
F3 Both diesel exhaust outlets modified from round to oval (perhaps during this refit or previous one).


Before July 1940

G1 Pillkoppen pennant seen in photos for the first time.
G2 Altered commander’s flagstaff without attachment to tie down commissioning pennant.


July/August 1940

H1 Air trunking fitted.
H2 Tower rungs added on top of air trunks.
H3 Short ladders fitted between air trunks and deck.
H4 Additional three bars, in a triangular shape, added to the forward deck railings.
H5 Two wires added per side from the forward deck railings to the aft deck railings.
H6 Wooden seats removed from aft deck railings.

Late October 1940, September/October 1940, and December 1940 to February 1941

General overhauls, with no external changes visible in photographs.

(B) Main colours summary

Pre-war

Upper colour medium blue-grey Dunkelgrau 51 (RAL7000)
Lower colour dark grey Schiffsbodenfarbe III Grau (RAL7016)

19th August 1939

Pre-war markings and inscriptions removed in afternoon

8th October 1939

Temporary Chamberlain drawing

15th/16th October 1939

Original bull insignia added, both facing to left

Early November 1939

Both bulls repainted facing forward

6th July 1940

“66587 to.”, with leaves below, present near bulls. First appearance in photographs of Pillkoppen pennant.

Sept/Oct 1940

Upper colour changed from Dunkelgrau 51 to a darker grey, possibly Schlickgrau 58.This change may have occurred during the July/August 1940 refit. The upper colour remained in this shade of grey thereafter.