Whats This?...

[ASWnut101]

What is the little hatch between the number 1-2 Torpedo Tubes?

SOF hatch? Escape?

http://www.barentsphoto.com/getfile.php/237976.921.sqydeccbft/Kilo%20class%20submarine.jpg

[Oberon]

Could be an outside opening switch for the tubes, just in case the internal mechanism fails...can't see any reference to it on these drawings though.

http://submarine.id.ru/galery/t181.jpg

Here's another view....it does look like a very small torpedo tube doesn't it? :o

http://submarine.id.ru/galery/t728.jpg

http://www.submarine.id.ru/galery/t1378.jpg

[kiwi_2005]

MASSIVE!

http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/mischazion/UBOAT/RUSBWSUB.jpg
http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c387/mischazion/UBOAT/RUSBWSUB2.jpg

[Kapitan]

I could immagine that would be for the lavatory waste or it could p[ossibly be a fart tube, sailors when they get the urge just stick a pipe up thier bum and blow like the wind, after all it is a diesel submarine and you dont need 40 men farting when submerged cause ya cant get rid of the stinky smell.

No i think that it most probably is a valve that will release excess pressure incase something happens to the torpedo room, cause everytime you fire you use air and if your torpedo becomes stuck pressure builds up and then it could explode (kursk incident sorta) so this will just ease the pressure off and allow you to re open the door from inside.

My theory anyway.

[bradclark1]

I could immagine that would be for the lavatory waste
Aargh! You beat me to it!! :)

[lesrae]

Difficult to say, remember that hatch is in the casing, not the pressure hull, it would seem pointless running a pressure discharge out there when you could just vent it into the free-flood space.

Could it be a fairing over a tow point?

Of course I'm not suggesting russian boats are uneliable, but that crest in the first photo is actually the russian breakdown service badge :O)

[bradclark1]

I'd say it's some kind of service (sonar?) hatch cover. It looks like a hinge on the top of it.

[lesrae]

I'd say it's some kind of service (sonar?) hatch cover. It looks like a hinge on the top of it.

I thought about that - it's pretty small though compared to the tubes, if the weapons are 533mm, the hatches won't be too much more than that will they, say 750mm? Which makes the little hatch much smaller.

[ASWnut101]

Strange, it's in none of the scematics, drawings, or anything like that.

Maby its to help flood the ballast tank during dives, but your guess is as good as mine, so keep them coming.

[Linton]

Would the hatch be for a signal ejector?Some of the early WW2 T-boats had external torpedo tubes,that could only be accessed in port for reloading.

[ASWnut101]

Thats a VERY small torpedo, as the ones it's inbetween are 533mm torpedo tubes.
that makes it like 233 mm (guess)

[Linton]

So it is about a signal size then?Submarine smoke candle.

[ASWnut101]

Signal:(defenition?):doh:

[lesrae]

Signal:(defenition?):doh:

Subs fire out smoke candles for various communications purposes, see http://www.ukho.gov.uk/content/amdAttachments/2006/annual_nms/ANM8%202006.pdf for a couple of examples. The same launchers can be used for other sensors like expendable bathythermographs or active/passive decoys. RN ones are only about 4" in diameter.

Again - why complicate your life building a launcher out through the superstructure when these can be launched out through the side of the hull with only a simple hull gland to close them off.

[ASWnut101]

...al:(defen...

how did that come out as a smiley?

[Wim Libaers]

...al:(defen...
how did that come out as a smiley?
Colon plus opening parenthesis after each other will always produce that smiley, not only when you want it to happen.

put a space between them if you want to avoid it
...al: (defen...

otherwise...
...al:(defen...

[ASWnut101]

oopsy-dasies...