Ever since i first remember reading about the VIIC/42 in the manual that came with Aces of the deep i have been facinated by this sub.
In my mind its one of the most (or the most) advanced WW2 submarine. Yeah yeah i know the type XXI holds that crown, but it just seems too.... modern. When i play a WW2 sub sim, i expect WW2 subs, the type 21 is just.. different to me in this regard, perhaps because it was meant as a "True" submarine in the modern sense of the word. To me that just isnt as much fun, and honestly modern subs excite me about as much as watching paint dry.
So the object of my facination falls squarely on the sub that never was. The VIIC/42.
If you want to compare specs:
http://www.uboat.net/types/viic.htm
http://www.uboat.net/types/viic-42.htm
The sum is larger engines, more range, a bit wider, a bit longer, a bit taller, a bit faster, ALOT deeper, but still about the same profile as the VIIC. It looks like a meld of VIIC manuverablity, the range and speed of an IX boat, all packed into a relativly small deep diving hull offering increased survivablity.
Other intresting tidbits (albiet similar but a bit more descriptive)
http://www.uboatwar.net/VII.htm
http://www.uboataces.com/uboat-type-vii.shtml
Looking at all scant info avaliable, it seems the designers were foward thinking. The first two boats, U699 and U700 were first ordered in april, 1942.
I'll make this conjecture. I think more fuel was for two reasons. Extend range while snorkeling, or surface range to reach the us East coast. Deck gun was removed (and im guessing) because its wasnt very useful snorkelling, and its removal is what made room for the two extra external torpedo stores.