German submarine U-Boot VIIB U-47 COBI 4858 - World War II 1:300

MODEL U-BOOT VIIB U-47 | COBI 4858

A model kit of the legendary submarine of the 7th Naval Flotilla of the Kriegsmarine from the battles in the Atlantic. The model features two rotating propellers and adjustable rudders. An antenna wire of the S 406 K radio station runs from the bow to the stern over the conning tower. On both sides of the conning tower is the emblem of the enraged bull, which the submarine of the wild captain Günther Prien bore. The assembled model can be safely placed in a stable stand with a description.

Did you know:

The construction of the submarine began on February 27, 1937, at the Germaniawerft shipyard in dock no. 582. Work progressed very quickly and it was commissioned on December 17, 1938. The Type VIIB submarines were a logical extension of the smaller VIIA class vessels. The technology of the vessel was exceptional at the time of its creation. The submarine, more than 65 meters long, was powered by two strong F46 diesel engines specially designed for submarines of this class. For underwater navigation, two double-acting AEG electric motors with a total output of 550 kW were used. Interestingly, the VIIB submarines were designed as an inexpensive weapon for rapid and mass production. The estimated average service life of the vessel was 4 missions before being destroyed by the enemy. With more than 700 units produced, the Type VII was the most numerous submarine of World War II. Another interesting fact is that Type VII submarines had cramped spaces for the crew and provisions. It was common that after restocking, some food was stored in the toilets.

The U-47 submarine carried out a total of ten combat missions, during which it attacked Allied supply routes and sank 30 merchant ships. The most famous action of Captain Prien was the unnoticed penetration into the main base of the Royal Navy Scapa Flow, where it destroyed the ship HMS Royal Oak. Thanks to this daring action, the captain earned the nickname Enraged Bull. Finally, it was sunk on March 7, 1941, by the British destroyer HMS Wolverine.

It also left a deep mark in culture thanks to the war film U-47 from 1958 directed by Harald Reinl. The film was made only 13 years after the war and is still criticized for its rather heroic portrayal of the crew.

Technical parameters:

• Dimensions: length 65.50 m, width 4.70 m, draft 4.74 m
• Displacement 753 tons
• Fuel tank capacity 90 tons of diesel
• Propulsion unit: 2x Germaniawerft F46 diesel engines with a total output of 2,400 kW, for underwater movement 2x AEG electric motors with a total output of 550 kW
• Maximum speed 33.2 km/h on the surface and 15.0 km/h underwater
• Maximum diving depth 220 m
• Armament: 1x SK/C 35 deck gun caliber 88 mm, 1x C/30 anti-aircraft gun caliber 20 mm, and 5 torpedo tubes 533 mm
• Radio station S 406 K
• Crew: 3 officers + 40 crew members

From the book Iron Coffin:

“When we set sail, the submarine was full of bread, potatoes, and sausages. We slept next to the torpedoes and food hung even above our heads. When the ship dived deep and the hull began to crack, each of us knew why submarines are called iron coffins. Prien’s return was like a victory for the entire flotilla. Suddenly, we believed that with a few submarines we could shake the British Navy.”

About the COBI kit:

• COBI kit 4858 is made of 165 high-quality ABS parts
• Collection World War II 1:300 scale
• Pad printed - no stickers
• Faithful detailing
• Made in the EU
• Compatible with other building block brands