There was a programme about ‘samurai-subs’ on Nataional Geographic channel yesterday.
Here’s a link to the National Geographic article about them.
I don’t have National Geographic channel, but did anyone see it?
Soggy
previously SadoleGit
By: Flanker_man - 19th November 2009 at 10:03
Just been looking at the Typhoon class subs
Jesus 😮
Actually, it’s an ‘Akula’ class sub – at least to the Russians it is.
‘Typhoon’ is a NATO (ASIG) reporting name for it.
Confusingly, there is also a NATO Akula class – used to describe the Russian Project 971 ‘Shchuka-B’ (Pike)
Still with me ???
Russian Akula (Shark) is NATO Typhoon
Russian Shchuka (Pike) is NATO Akula
Kyen
By: piston power! - 18th November 2009 at 23:16
Imagine that thing popping up at the side of you on a day out fishing!
By: Nashio966 - 18th November 2009 at 22:35
The largest subs up until the Nuclear age, i always wonder why they did not use the planes as planned to destroy the Panama canal gates as that would have crippled the US navy build up after Pearl Harbour?
Good find though i will have to look out for that.
curlyboy
Just been looking at the Typhoon class subs
Jesus 😮
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th November 2009 at 22:29
Subs carrying aeroplanes is of less interest than aeroplanes carrying subs. I have a copy of the monograph written post war on the efforts of the AFEE and in it there is mention of the parachute designed and made by GQ Ltd in Woking, intended to be used on the Welman one man sub.
The parachute must be the largest ever produced in the UK as when packed the single canopy weighed in at 1000 lb. It was also so large that it had to be packed in the middle of the road outside the factory. The concept was similar to that of the SBS’s Boom Patrol Boat in that it was to be dropped with the crew aboard.
I can find no evidence that the concept went any further than buliding the parachute, the Welman after all was a bit of a disapointment (although a good enough concept for the Germans to copy the one they captured at Bergen.
By: JP Vieira - 18th November 2009 at 20:28
I saw a documentary about it some time ago; very interesting stuff…
By: Arabella-Cox - 18th November 2009 at 18:55
The largest subs up until the Nuclear age, i always wonder why they did not use the planes as planned to destroy the Panama canal gates as that would have crippled the US navy build up after Pearl Harbour?
Good find though i will have to look out for that.
curlyboy
By: FarlamAirframes - 18th November 2009 at 10:31
Very interesting – but the comment on aircraft bombing capability from a submarine being ahead of its time is misplaced.
The Germans did it in 1915 (FF-29s on the U-12). They had 12 kg bombs.
The British and Italians also looked at it. In all these cases the aircraft were carried as deck cargo on submarines
The British M2 was also a plane carrying sub with a hangar until she was lost in 1932
And several others..
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November 18, 2009 at 9:36 am