Type XXI
U 2501 to U 2546/ U 2548/ U 2551 and U 2552/ U 3001 to U 3035/ U 3037 to U 3041/ U 3044/ U 3501 to U 3530 = 120 U-boats
This type was called “Big Elelectric Boat”, a true submarine with a threefold battery capacity compared to standard U-boat types, a streamlined hull. The pressure hull had a profile formed like an eight with an upper diameter of 5.3 m and a lower diameter of 3.5 m. The enhanced battery was installed in the lower part of the pressure hull.
Note: The former Kriegsmarine U-boat U 2540 is the only surviving U-boat of it´s type. As “Technikmuseum Wilhelm Bauer” Nato-Nr. Y 880 (ex U 2540) it is open to the public.
|
Year of construction |
1943 to 1945 |
|
Shipyard |
U 2501 to U 2546/ U 2548/ U 2551 and U 2552 at Blohm & Voss at Hamburg, U 3001 to U 3035/ U 3037 to U 3041/ U 3044 at AG Weser at Bremen, U 3501 to U 3530 at Schichau in Danzig |
|
Displacement |
1,621 t/ 1,819 t submerged |
|
Length |
76.7 m |
|
Beam |
8.0 m |
|
Draught |
6.3 m |
|
Propulsion |
2 Diesel engines, 2 electric engines, 2 propellers |
|
Engine Power |
4,000 HP/ 4,200 HP plus 226 HP submerged |
|
Speed |
15.6 kn/ 17.2 kn submerged |
|
Range |
11,150 nmi at 12 kn/ 285 sm at 6 kn submerged |
|
Diving depth |
240 m |
|
Fuel |
250 cbm |
|
Armament |
6 bow torpedo tubes, 20 torpedeos or 12 mines replacing some torpedoes, 4 x 2 cm, initially planned: 4 x 3 cm AA guns |
|
Complement |
57 |
