First off, I join many other enthusiastic collectors who are thrilled to see the launch of a new U-Boat model. The pre-release photos are exciting and the project is so well executed. It's my number 1 must see at the Chicago Toy Show coming up next month where I fully expect it will become my number 1 must buy item.
One detail however got my immediate attention when I first saw the photos of U-96 - the rivets! First I thought, well they kind of stand out, but probably necessary due to production limitation. However, on further thought, I didn't think they belong there at all. I live in the Chicago area and I've visited the U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry more than a dozen times and the outer skin of the upper structure of that boat has smooth welded seams, not rivets, holding it together. Knowing however that U-96 was an earlier boat and a Type 7 rather than the Type 9 U-505, there could be some differences. So I started looking at photos of U-Boats on line and found that, other than a couple of photos of very early boats from the 1930s, all were without rivets including actual photos of U-96. I also found a reference to shipbuilders getting away from using rivets in the early 1930s. Keep in mind that U-Boats are double hulled with an inner pressure tube surround by a relatively thin outer skin which is what you see from the outside. What was even more curious was that pictures of models and artwork of U-Boats do often times show rivets. So I guess they're supposed to add interest to a model?
Anyway, I just wanted to get this out there for comments and different ideas of this rivet question. And please, don't take offense to my raising the question. I applaud the launch of U-96 by Collectors Showcase and enthusiastic support their excellent work.
One detail however got my immediate attention when I first saw the photos of U-96 - the rivets! First I thought, well they kind of stand out, but probably necessary due to production limitation. However, on further thought, I didn't think they belong there at all. I live in the Chicago area and I've visited the U-505 at the Museum of Science and Industry more than a dozen times and the outer skin of the upper structure of that boat has smooth welded seams, not rivets, holding it together. Knowing however that U-96 was an earlier boat and a Type 7 rather than the Type 9 U-505, there could be some differences. So I started looking at photos of U-Boats on line and found that, other than a couple of photos of very early boats from the 1930s, all were without rivets including actual photos of U-96. I also found a reference to shipbuilders getting away from using rivets in the early 1930s. Keep in mind that U-Boats are double hulled with an inner pressure tube surround by a relatively thin outer skin which is what you see from the outside. What was even more curious was that pictures of models and artwork of U-Boats do often times show rivets. So I guess they're supposed to add interest to a model?
Anyway, I just wanted to get this out there for comments and different ideas of this rivet question. And please, don't take offense to my raising the question. I applaud the launch of U-96 by Collectors Showcase and enthusiastic support their excellent work.
there's a fairly good chance that they won't enjoy collecting toy soldiers. 
