Type XXI evolution pondering

Bilge_Rat · 03-17-11, 07:45 AM

RR did an excellent summary.

Clay Blair who was a submariner in WW2 and personally visited a type XXI described its issues in his books on the U-Boat war. I dont remember the whole list, but basically the problem was the fact that the design could not be fully realized with 1945 technology. For example, it may have had a high submerged speed, but the batteries could only maintain that for a short time. The noise from the snorkel drowned out the hydrophones and the vibration made it impossible to use the scope at speeds over 2-3 knots. The ones that were built had been crudely put together and it was doubtful they could dive very deep.

However, the XXI design was copied and formed the basis of most of the Soviet post war diesel sub fleet, notably the Whiskey class:

03-17-11, 07:45 AM	#8
Bilge_Rat Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: standing watch... Posts: 3,856 Downloads: 344 Uploads: 0	RR did an excellent summary. Clay Blair who was a submariner in WW2 and personally visited a type XXI described its issues in his books on the U-Boat war. I dont remember the whole list, but basically the problem was the fact that the design could not be fully realized with 1945 technology. For example, it may have had a high submerged speed, but the batteries could only maintain that for a short time. The noise from the snorkel drowned out the hydrophones and the vibration made it impossible to use the scope at speeds over 2-3 knots. The ones that were built had been crudely put together and it was doubtful they could dive very deep. However, the XXI design was copied and formed the basis of most of the Soviet post war diesel sub fleet, notably the Whiskey class: __________________