Type XXVII.B Otter

[RAFF-35]

Thanks to a generous visit from Mr. Clause, I can now enter this GB.
The basic idea for this build is that the Seeteufel showed promise as a concept which demonstrated putting tracks on a midget submarine to allow it to move on and off a beach under its own power, but the decision was made not to build the Seeteufel and to concentrate on manufacturing existing designs. Alois Lödige and several of his colleagues of the Kiel-Eckernförde torpedo testing center, decided to further develop the tracked concept using the existing Type XXVII Seehund as a base instead. The design featured an area to seat up to 4 passengers in extreme discomfort, alongside the two crew members. To save internal space compared to the original Seeteufel, the revised design had tracks driven by a pair of electric motors, charged by the onboard diesel engine. This idea was well liked by members of the Kreigsmarine and was hurried into production in the closing months of the war, now called the Type XXVII.B Otter, it was used for conventional coastal submarine missions as well as river raids and other clandestine missions. It was even rumoured that an Otter was used to evacuate Hitler from his bunker during the fall of Berlin.


Because it's a submarine kit, I've made lots of progress in a few hours.

[kerick]

I could just imagine this cruising down the streets of Berlin. No one would ever notice! 
Looking forward to this!

[Rick Lowe]

I could just imagine this cruising down the streets of Berlin. No one would ever notice! 

Your mind would go "Nope, that can't exist, it's too weird." and you'd look straight past it. 

[buzzbomb]

some pretty nifty cutting to get the roadwheels off so neat.

it is looking... interesting   

[RAFF-35]

I've finally had some more time to work on this build. The tracks are now glued on, along with the top of the track cover.

Question: in terms of hydrodynamics, is it better to fully shroud the tracks which would increase the surface area or leave them unshrouded? 🤔

[RAFF-35]

some pretty nifty cutting to get the roadwheels off so neat.

it is looking... interesting   

Thanks! I just used my trusty old razor saw 

[Captain Canada]

Very cool. Coming along swimingly ! Or rolling along nicely......

[Old Wombat]

I'd shroud the tops & sides of the tracks to reduce drag, while minimising limiting the effectiveness of the tracks for motive power (in water & on land).

[RAFF-35]

I'd shroud the tops & sides of the tracks to reduce drag, while minimising limiting the effectiveness of the tracks for motive power (in water & on land).

Excellent! That's what I was thinking too 😄

[RAFF-35]

I've now shrouded the sides of the tracks. The next decision is where to mount the torpedoes?? What do you think? Option A or Option B?

[RAFF-35]

Option A. Mounted above the tracks.

[RAFF-35]

Option B. Mounted on the sides of the tracks.

[Old Wombat]

Option A looks more logical, to me, giving more support to the torpedoes & allowing better access to the tracks for maintenance.

[kerick]

Yeah, I was thinking that too. Plus if the vehicle gets to wide it might be hard to handle.

[RAFF-35]

SOLD!!! Option A it is then