General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
Posted by:
Eric Stone
()
Date: April 03, 2007 11:47PM
Solomon,
Try searching on museum of science or MSI and you'll find several postings from various people (including me) providing their impressions of the display and some useful (hopefully) suggestions for your visit. It's been a little over a year since I visited, so some things may have changed.
As far as "how freely you may explore the boat", I guess that depends on what you mean. It is a stunning presentation the way you first see her, which is at about sealevel for a surfaced U-boat. You slowly make your way down a ramp that eventually brings you around her other side, with her keel more or less on the floor. You get great views of the exterior, however I'm afraid there is no public access to the deck, bridge, etc...(I can only imagine the discussion between the lawyers and the insurance men:-D)
The inside access is quite controlled. You can't simply walk on, you need to purchase tickets for a specific time for a guided tour. I recommend you do this on-line in advance at the MSI website. You enter aft of the forward torpedo room and exit just forward of the aft torpedo room. When I went you could look into the forward torpedo room but could not enter. The aft torpedo room hatch was closed. I think they were trying to simulate her last moments when the aft room was flooding and had to be sealed off. The guided tour is well done, with sound effects even, but it's hard to give it the proper attention and see what you want to see as well. The next tour isn't too far behind. As I recommended in an older post, I would sign up for two non-consecutive tours. On the first you can play Joe tourist and enjoy the effort they put into the "show", and also get a better 'lay of the land' so to speak. On the second, try to stay on the forward end of the boat as your group moves through. That way you can be a U-boat geek, lag behind a bit, take some pictures (of actual equipment and not some stranger's nose) and explore a little before the next group moves in. Plan ahead for what you want to see/photograph.
Outside the hull in the main exhibit room there are many excellent static displays, many of which includes materials salvaged from the U-505 herself.
If you have the slightest interest in U-boats you will not be disappointed. I hope to return many more times.
Enjoy!
Eric
Try searching on museum of science or MSI and you'll find several postings from various people (including me) providing their impressions of the display and some useful (hopefully) suggestions for your visit. It's been a little over a year since I visited, so some things may have changed.
As far as "how freely you may explore the boat", I guess that depends on what you mean. It is a stunning presentation the way you first see her, which is at about sealevel for a surfaced U-boat. You slowly make your way down a ramp that eventually brings you around her other side, with her keel more or less on the floor. You get great views of the exterior, however I'm afraid there is no public access to the deck, bridge, etc...(I can only imagine the discussion between the lawyers and the insurance men:-D)
The inside access is quite controlled. You can't simply walk on, you need to purchase tickets for a specific time for a guided tour. I recommend you do this on-line in advance at the MSI website. You enter aft of the forward torpedo room and exit just forward of the aft torpedo room. When I went you could look into the forward torpedo room but could not enter. The aft torpedo room hatch was closed. I think they were trying to simulate her last moments when the aft room was flooding and had to be sealed off. The guided tour is well done, with sound effects even, but it's hard to give it the proper attention and see what you want to see as well. The next tour isn't too far behind. As I recommended in an older post, I would sign up for two non-consecutive tours. On the first you can play Joe tourist and enjoy the effort they put into the "show", and also get a better 'lay of the land' so to speak. On the second, try to stay on the forward end of the boat as your group moves through. That way you can be a U-boat geek, lag behind a bit, take some pictures (of actual equipment and not some stranger's nose) and explore a little before the next group moves in. Plan ahead for what you want to see/photograph.
Outside the hull in the main exhibit room there are many excellent static displays, many of which includes materials salvaged from the U-505 herself.
If you have the slightest interest in U-boats you will not be disappointed. I hope to return many more times.
Enjoy!
Eric
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
|
Solomon | 04/02/2007 11:24PM |
|
Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
|
gerard heimann | 04/03/2007 12:34PM |
|
U-505's conning tower
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Dave McQueen | 11/07/2007 12:07PM |
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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Eric Stone | 04/03/2007 11:47PM |
|
Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
|
Solomon | 04/16/2007 08:59PM |
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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von Schoenvorts | 04/17/2007 10:19PM |
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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Eric Stone | 04/18/2007 07:53PM |
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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von Schoenvorts | 04/18/2007 10:06PM |
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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Don Prince | 04/19/2007 12:06AM |
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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Re: U-505 on display in Chicago ILL.
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von Schoenvorts | 11/07/2007 03:00AM |