Mod to redesign Uboats

twblackeagle · 07-30-10, 06:14 PM

Guten Tag fellow kaleuns,

Has anyone come up with this idea:

In keeping with the technology of the day when it first became known, would it not be possible to design Uboat Types that might for example bring together desired design characteristics which would signifigantly improve the performance and/or survivablity of a Uboat?

Let's consider the topic of maximum diving depth below sea level.
With the addition of 9mm of pressure hull thickness, safe diving range for the Type VII was increased from 150 meters to 250 meters. Thicker hulls increased the boat's net tonnage. But with certain modifications to the overall design such as eliminating the deck gun and ammunition stores and abandoning externally carried torpedos, the boat's design weight could be maintained within acceptable limits.

In the case of U234, it was reported that this boat's success with surviving numerous Allied attempts to intercept and sink it was due to its being equipped with a retrofitted snorkel, and its abiltiy to reach a depth of over 900 feet (approximately 270 meters). Allied resources did not anticipate the possiblity of any submarine being able to reach such depths and survive without being crushed. Because of this belief, Hedge Hogs were designed to function down to a maximum of 900 feet, and depth charges were never set to detonate at this depth - at least as far as I know.

Had such modifications been adopted earlier during the war crew survival and related level of experience would have benefited. Better survivability likely would have seen later boats manned with more able men capable of more fully utilizing the technological Uboat resources availble to them towards the end of the war.

I would happily like to connect with anyone who has done or would like to do any mods based either on this idea or other ideas not mentioned here.

What do you say gentlemen?

Oberleutant z s Rolfe Hass

View Poll Results: Topics for redesigning uboats
thicker pressure hulls	6	54.55%
rear tube(s) for Type XXI	0	0%
integrated snorkel design in Types VII and XI	5	45.45%
high pressure reserve air for crew to prolong dive time	0	0%
Voters: 11. You may not vote on this poll

07-30-10, 06:14 PM	#1
twblackeagle Swabbie Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Hillsborough NC Posts: 10 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Mod to redesign Uboats Guten Tag fellow kaleuns, Has anyone come up with this idea: In keeping with the technology of the day when it first became known, would it not be possible to design Uboat Types that might for example bring together desired design characteristics which would signifigantly improve the performance and/or survivablity of a Uboat? Let's consider the topic of maximum diving depth below sea level. With the addition of 9mm of pressure hull thickness, safe diving range for the Type VII was increased from 150 meters to 250 meters. Thicker hulls increased the boat's net tonnage. But with certain modifications to the overall design such as eliminating the deck gun and ammunition stores and abandoning externally carried torpedos, the boat's design weight could be maintained within acceptable limits. In the case of U234, it was reported that this boat's success with surviving numerous Allied attempts to intercept and sink it was due to its being equipped with a retrofitted snorkel, and its abiltiy to reach a depth of over 900 feet (approximately 270 meters). Allied resources did not anticipate the possiblity of any submarine being able to reach such depths and survive without being crushed. Because of this belief, Hedge Hogs were designed to function down to a maximum of 900 feet, and depth charges were never set to detonate at this depth - at least as far as I know. Had such modifications been adopted earlier during the war crew survival and related level of experience would have benefited. Better survivability likely would have seen later boats manned with more able men capable of more fully utilizing the technological Uboat resources availble to them towards the end of the war. I would happily like to connect with anyone who has done or would like to do any mods based either on this idea or other ideas not mentioned here. What do you say gentlemen? Oberleutant z s Rolfe Hass