U-boot Type VII

The Type VII submarines were the largest class in service within the Kriegsmarine during WWII and the largest in history, with 703 boats built between 1935-45. They operated in all areas where German submarines were deployed and were very effective despite some limitations in their range. The class was made up of three main sub-classes, Type VIIA, VIIB and VIIC, and three other minor ones, Type VIID, VIIE and VIIF. However, the VIIC sub-class was the most important with 568 finished units that entered service between 1940-45.

U-boot Type VII class gallery and more info

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Country of origin	Germany
Builder	16 shipyards distributed throughout Germany (see text)
Type	Submarine (conventional propulsion)
Entered service	From 1935 to 1941
Complement	Type VIIA/B/C/C41/D: 44 – Type VIIF: 46
Displacement, (full load)	Type VIIB: Surfaced: 753 tonnes – Submerged: 857 tonnes Type VIIC: Surfaced: 761 tonnes – Submerged: 865 tonnes Type VIIC/41: Surfaced: 759 tonnes – Submerged: 860 tonnes Type VIID: Surfaced: 965 tonnes – Submerged: 1,080 tonnes Type VIIF: Surfaced: 1,084 tonnes – Submerged: 1,181 tonnes Type VIIIA: Surfaced: 626 tonnes – Submerged: 745 tonnes
Dimensions (length x beam x draught)	Type VIIA: 64.50 x 5.80 x 4.40 meters Type VIIB: 66.50 x 6.20 x 4.70 meters Type VIIC: 67.10 x 6.20 x 4.80 meters Type VIIC/41: 67.20 x 6.20 x 4.80 meters Type VIID: 76.90 x 6.40 x 5.00 meters Type VIIF: 77.60 x 7.30 x 4.90 meters
Power plant	Type VIIA: 2 x MAN AG M6V 40/46 diesel engine, 1,155 hp each + 2 x Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) GG UB 720/8 electric motor, 375 hp each Type VIIB: same as VIIA or 2 x Germaniawerft F46 diesel engine, 1,600 hp each + 2 x Brown, Boveri & Cie (BBC) GG UB 720/8 or 2 x AEG GU 460/8.276 electric motor, 375 hp each Type VIIC/C41: 2 x Germaniawerft F46 diesel engine, 1,600 hp each + 2 x electric motor (see text for details), 375 hp each Type VIID/F: 2 x Germaniawerft F46 diesel engine, 1,600 hp each + 2 x AEG GU 460/8.276 electric motor, 375 hp each
Power, (total)	Type VIIA: 2,310 + 750 hp – Type VIIB/C/C41/D/F: 3,200 + 750 hp
Shafts - Screws	2 shafts – 2 screws
Speed	Submerged: Type VIIA/B/F: 8 knots – Type VIIC/C41: 7.6 knots – Type VIID: 7.3 knots Surfaced: Type VIIA/D: 16 knots – Type VIIB/C/C41/F: 17 knots
Diving depth, (maximum)	Type VIIA/B: 220 meters – Type VIIC: 230 meters – Type VIIC/41: 250 meters – Type VIID/F: 200 meters
Range	Type VIIA: Surfaced: 4,300 n. miles – Submerged: 90 n. miles Type VIIB: Surfaced: 6,500 n. miles – Submerged: 90 n. miles Type VIIC/C41: Surfaced: 6,500 n. miles – Submerged: 80 n. miles Type VIID: Surfaced: 8,100 n. miles – Submerged: 69 n. miles Type VIIF: Surfaced: 9,500 n. miles – Submerged: 75 n. miles
Ammunition	Type VIIA: 11 torpedoes + 220 x 88mm rounds + 2,200 x 20mm rounds Type VIIB/C/C41/: 14 torpedoes + 220 x 88mm rounds + 2,200 x 20mm rounds Type VIID: 14 torpedoes + 220 x 88mm rounds + 4,380 x 20mm rounds Type VIIF: 14 torpedoes + 1,195 x 37mm rounds + 4,380 x 20mm rounds
Main guns	Type VIIA/B/C/C41/D: 1 x 88mm SK C/35 naval gun – Type VIIF: None
AA guns	Type VIIA/B/C/C41: 1 x 20mm – Type VIID: 2 x 20mm – Type VIIF: 1 x 37mm + 2 x 20mm
Torpedoes	5 x 533mm torpedo tubes (4 at bow, 1 at stern)
Production	Type VIIA: 10 – Type VIIB: 24 – Type VIIC: 568 – Type VIIC/41: 91 – Type VIID: 6 – Type VIIF: 4