Culmore Point, Derry
U 802 passing Culmore point May 13th 1945 ;
The historical picture below was the inspiration for this diarama .. telling the story of u802 passing culmore point, under the gaze of the general public gathered on the beach to witness these events.
U802 was a TypeIXC/40 submarine ,251 ft long , 2diesel 2 electric engines with atop speed of 22mph surfaced 8.4 mph submerged . launched 31st oct 1942 . Under captain Helmut Schmoeckel, served with the 2nd Flotilla in the north Atlantic . Credited with 4 possibly 5 sinkings . U804 surrendered to loch Eriboll Scotland May 11th 1945 , transferred to lisahally arriving May 13th. On December 30th 1945 , U802 left Lough Foyle under tow from HMS Pytchley . U802 broke tow the following day Dec 31st in horrendous weather and sank ........she now lies in tact at coordinates 55/30 North, 8/25 degrees west.........
The Diarama is approx 2ft x 2ft done in 1/200 scale
Lepers Point, Ture, Co. Donegal
U.S Naval Base Lough Foyle ; Lepers Point Ture Co. Donegal.The station was comissioned on july 1st 1918 an disestablished in early 1919. One of 5 sites around ireland at the end of the 1st world war . 5 Curtis H16 Flying Boats an over 400 men were stationed there as part of the North Atlantic patrols.In this diarama I try an reflect the scene at the time , working from 2 period photos an a lot of research. The diarama is in 2 seperate pieces each 2 ft square on a scale of 1/72 . all made from scratch with the exception of the scale models . It shows the workings of the hangar an the various scenes within , and the mighty H16 Curtis taking of from the lough . this is part of the foyles rich history in conflicts through the centuries ,and the vital role it played ... more to follow hope you enjoy .......
