- quality handcrafted model ships -
- quality handcrafted model ships -
Type X U-boats
Image: Type Xb
- circa 1941 -
|
Base either solid brass or wooden pedestals (image of model not yet available)
|
The largest submarines built by the Kriegsmarine in WWII, the Type X U-boats were originally designed especially for mine operations. While Admiral Dönitz cancelled plans for monstrous 2,500 ton Type Xa U-boats, 8 smaller Type Xb submarines were built. By careful reworking of the plans, the Type Xb U-boats were able to carry 66 mines, as well as 2 stern torpedo tubes. The ships were almost never used in their intended role - the deteriorating war situation requiring that the boats be used for supply purposes instead, and most of the boats were converted with storage containers welded over their external mine shafts. The eight boats commissioned from July 1941 to March 1944 (U-116 to U-119, U-219, U-220, U-223 and U-224) could transport 240 tons of fuel for delivery to attack U-boats. During the course of the war, the Type X conning tower was modified; and, from mid-1944, a hinged schnorkel was fitted on the starboard side of the conning tower. Two of the Type Xb submarines survived the war; U-234 by entering a USA port in May 1945 to surrender; and U-219 which was taken over by the Japanese Navy in the same month and then further used as I-505. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
© 2002-8 All Wood Wings - All Rights Reserved
