Master and Commander
Posts: 1717
Location: SoCal | Subject: Nazi Mega Weapons
I watched a program on public television about German weapons of WWII. I had never heard of the Type XXI submarine the German were trying to get into production at the end of the war, but its more like my diesel boat of the 60's - at least the pre GUPPY III version of the Pickerel. I had no idea they had produced a 50 foot a rocket powered protype that got up to 28 knots underwater. According to the program their standard Type VII U-boat could do 7 knots max for only an hour underwater and was meant primarily for surface warfare - WWII convoys had many ships that had a maximum speed of 10 knots. The Type XXI could do 17 knots, with over 220 tons of batteries that enabled it longer durations of speed and range. Also items receded into the hull when the boat submerged.
If my memory hasn't completely gone Guppy III doubled the Pickerel's batteries to 500 one ton batteries, and increased our length to 320 feet as a 12.5 foot section was added forward of the Control Room.
The program below is not the program I watched, but one of many about the XXI U-boat. I saw so many similarities in decisions they made about the snorkel system, and means to close it, and where the air from it would go.
Edited by Gil 2026-05-01 2:01 PM
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Nazi Mega Weapons
