Yes, 31 of the remaining XXIII's were scuttled in early May 1945 and 20 more surrendered to the allies and ended their careers in Operation Deadlight. Only U-2326 (later UK sub N 35), U-2353 (later the UK sub N 37) and U-4706 (later the Norwegian Knerten) survived the war.

http://www.uboat.net/types/xxiii.htm
Here you can also find the history of all 61 commissioned U-boats of this type.
Btw, the most successful XXIII-boat was U-2336, 2 ships sunk (4,669 GRT) and 1 u-boat , U-2344 by ramming during an exercise!


Michael

Apparently N-35 was sunk in 1946, in Toulon harbor. The result of an unspecified accident. I couldn't find anything on N-37's service or fate. Al

U-2353 was later the UK sub N 37.
...and here (http://www.uboat.net/boats/u2353.htm)we can find a scribal error:
Allocated to the USSR by the TNC. Arrived Libau (Latvia) on 4 Dec 45with RN Pennant No: N.31 . Allocated to the Baltic Fleet on 13 Feb 46. Renamed M-51 on 9 Jun 49. To reserve as a training hulk on 22 Dec 50. Struck from Soviet Navy list on 17 Mar 52. Broken-up for scrap in 1963.
That's the story of N37, for H31/N31 was a real british sub.
http://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/3648.html


Michael

Hi Al and Michael,

Thanks for the info and links guys, thought it might be an interesting option.

Cheers

Al

It's time for another update, There are four very shallow pin marks on the inside of the sail halves that need filling.



A little Mr.Surfacer and some light sanding did the trick. I also added the two brackets and the handrail to the inside of each half. The port side half also had the 'D' shaped platform for the torpedo sighting binoculars installed.



I did it his way because I feel it'll make things easier went it comes time to apply paint.

The following is a shot of the torpedo parts. They are the same ones included in Bronco's "SEEHUND" kit. They actually include some parts (on the smaller sprue to the left) that aren't used for the Type XXIII.



The torpedoes are very nicely detailed and it would be a shame to hide them inside the tubes. I plan on using just the warhead from one in the tube that is visible, and mounting a complete torpedo on the base. Lastly, I glued the rudder to one of the hull halves, rather than trying to trap it in place when gluing the two halves together.



You can also see one of the guards for the aft diving planes glued into place. Well, that's all for now. Al

A couple of photos of the sail taped together.





I haven't come across any major issues with the fit of parts. The only omission I've come across won't really be that noticeable. The snorkel consists of two pipes, one for intake, and one for exhaust. So there should be two tubes leading down through the sail. Bronco only provides one. Also, the DF loop is retractable, so there should be a third tube for that. It's an easy fix.



The bracing between the tubes isn't prototypical, I added it for strength. Once the sail is assembled you won't be able to see much anyway. Just that there is something in there. Al

Hi AL,

Good work, coming along well. BTW did you see the PE update sets from Griffon for the Vosper?

Cheers

Al

[quote]Hi AL,

Good work, coming along well. BTW did you see the PE update sets from Griffon for the Vosper?

Thanks Alan, Making progress. I ordered two books to see what can be added, or corrected, if needs be. I'll check out that PE set, might be too late to use any of it though. Always seems that any add-ons come out after I've finished a build! Al

Looking great Al, I am really tempted to have a bash at one of these myself.

Si

Thanks Simon, great kit, I wouldn't hesitate to reccomend it. But it is a really big sonnuvagun! Al

She is really taking shape beautifully.....Cheers mark

[quote]


Watch them Al, I think they have your tea cup in the bonus set
Julian

Watch them Al, I think they have your tea cup in the bonus set
Julian [Quote]

Actually, I think that tea cup is the only thing they missed! Looks like a great set if you're thinking of building a Vosper. Al

I taped the two halves of the sail together to test fit it onto the hull.



I noticed a small gap at the very front, so I glued a shim of .030 plastic strip to each half.



This improved the fit very nicely.



Just to give an idea of the size of the beast, I took a pic next to it's smaller cousin, the Seehund.



Both subs carried the same warload of two torpedoes. As I mentioned before, the torpedoes are the same ones in both kits. Still waiting for my books on the Type XXIII to arrive. I want to see if more detail can be added to the bridge, as well as adding the outer doors to the torpedo tubes. Al

Looking good Al, like the seehund too.

Si

Looking good so far, i am building the same kit, the book has some drawings that might help you on the tower you just need to examine them very careful.

Btw tea cup: ordered to get some inspiration - earl grey and that beast on the working bench




Michael

PS: there's no shop, which offers this special mug, but there are shops to "build" your mug if you send a photo and the artwork for lettering...

Hello Simon, the Seehund was a pleasure to build, and the Type XXIII hasn't given me any headaches so far. I wonder what Bronco might come up with next? Al

Thanks Thomas, good to know, the tower would be one of the focal points and any additional detail will help. Al

Hello Michael, not much of a tea drinker, but I like the mug. Al

Yes, very helpful drawings! This drawings published in "Vom Original zum Modell" are also available in DIN A1, but i think you can scan and scale them (or parts) up to do some improvements to Bronco's boat. There's a little bit more inside the tower - not only Schnorchel and periscope...

And Bronco's Seehund was an easy kit to put into a small diorama of Ijmuiden harbor. Let's wait for Bronco's next seagoing vessel in 1/35. A Kriegsfischkutter would be great...

Hi Al,

there's a very special drink at the german northsea coast called "Pharisäer" (pharisee). An old tale tells the story of a priest fighting his own little war with his community, for they are drinking a lot all over the day. So they find her own way to dupe the priest. They had a lot of rum in their coffee, but stopped the nice smell with whipping cream on the top. But some day the priest - as a guest on a marriage and proud of his abstinent lambs - took the wrong cup... Shouting out loud: "Oh you old pharisees"

Maybe that drink is better than earl grey... I will test tomorrow!


Michael

Maybe that drink is better than earl grey... I will test tomorrow!


Michael



Prosit! Al

There are a few issues with the kit as you've undoubtedly discovered but overall its nice. You will find lots of info plus some great photos over on the Sub-Driver forum by David Merriman as he builds his RC prototype.

http://forum.sub-driver.com/showthread.php?2158-Bronco-Type-XXIII-in-1-35th-scale

Hello Charles, thanks for the link, I'll have to check it out. Al