Type XXI Submarine Summary

This is the EBard Models 3D print of the German Type XXI submarine. 

Type XXI submarines were a new class of diesel–electric submarines designed during the Second World War. One hundred and eighteen were completed, but only four were combat-ready before hostilites ceased and none engaged in combat. 

They were the first submarines designed to operate primarily submerged in contrast to previous submarines that spent only short periods under water. The design included many improvements such as a streamlined hull design which yield much greater underwaters speeds, greatly improved diving times, power-assisted torpedo reloading and greatly improved crew accommodations. 

This was the first U-boat to be constructed of modular components to allow for the manufacture of the various components in different factories and subsequent assembly at the shipyard. The distributed manufactoring made it difficult to damage the production line in a single bombing raid.

Unfortunately, the combination of the design being rushed into production and the distributed manufacturing led to numerous ill fitting components and severe quality problems. This in turn negated the revolutionary design, as the subs themselves had no impact on the war whatsoever, and could have only really had an impact if the war was extended long enough to work out the quality and manufacturing issues.

The design was a boon for the war's victors however. Several navies obtained Type XXIs and operated them for decades in various roles. These subsequent submarine classes - the Soviet Whiskey, US Tang, UK Porpoise, and Swedish Hajen classes - were all based on the Type XXI design to some extent.

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