| Article number: | 10.11.077/A |
A comprehensive overview of this type, including technical specifications, armament, history and variants.
| Characteristic | Details |
|---|---|
| Type: | German Type VII C submarine |
| Country: | Germany (Kriegsmarine) |
| Period of service: | 1940 – 1945 |
| Class: | Derived from Type VII B (with improved fuel and ballast capacity) |
| Number built: | 568 (by far the most produced type of U-boat in WWII) |
| Role: | Ocean-going submarine for attacking merchant and warships, particularly in the Atlantic Ocean (Battle of the Atlantic) |
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Displacement: | 769 tonnes (above water) / 871 tonnes (under water) |
| Length: | 67.1 m |
| Beam: | 6.2 m |
| Draught: | 4.74 m |
| Propulsion: | 2 × diesel engines (2,800–3,200 hp) + 2 × electric motors (750 hp) |
| Propulsion: | 2 propellers |
| Speed: | 17.7 knots (surface) / 7.6 knots (submerged) |
| Range: | approx. 8,500 nautical miles at 10 knots (surface) |
| Maximum diving depth (operational): | 220 m (test depth ~230 m, crush depth >250 m) |
| Crew: | 44–52 (officers and petty officers) |
| Weapon | Specification |
|---|---|
| Torpedo tubes: | 5 × 533 mm (4 forward, 1 aft) |
| Torpedoes: | 14–16 on board (often a mix of torpedoes and sea mines) |
| Deck gun: | 1 × 88 mm SK C/35 gun (with approx. 220 rounds) – often removed later in the war |
| Anti-aircraft: | 1–3 light anti-aircraft guns (20 mm Flak or 37 mm) |
| Sensors: | Hydrophones (GHG), periscopes, later radar receivers (Metox, Naxos) and snorkel (from 1944) |
The Type VII C formed the backbone of the German U-boat fleet during the Battle of the Atlantic.
It employed the ‘wolf pack’ tactic against Allied convoys.
The most famous commanders included
Lt. Cmdr. Günther Prien (U-47, attack on Scapa Flow, 1939 – actually a Type VII B, but similar)
Lt. Otto Kretschmer (U-99)
Lt. Erich Topp (U-552), known for the red devil on the conning tower.
By 1943/44, losses had risen sharply due to improved Allied radar, sonar (ASDIC), escorts and air patrols.
Only a small percentage returned from long Atlantic patrols — mortality rate >70%.
| Variant | Features |
|---|---|
| VII A (1936) | First prototype, 11 built. |
| VII B (1938) | Increased fuel range, 24 built. |
| VII C (1940) | Standard model, 568 built. |
| VII C/41 (1943) | Reinforced hull, greater diving depth (~250 m). |
| VII C/42 | Project variant, not completed. |
| VII D | Mine-laying version, extended. |
| VII F | Torpedo transport version. |
U-96 – famous from the book and film Das Boot (Lothar-Günther Buchheim).
U-552 – Erich Topp’s “Red Devil Boat”.
U-201, U-203, U-505 (now a museum in Chicago, USA).
U-82, U-571 – (the latter name later used in a fictional film)
Specifications:
|
Drawing number |
10.11.077/A |
|
Description |
U-boat Type VII C (1940/1945) - (Kriegsmarine) |
|
Quality |
line drawing; side view; deck plan; several cross-sections |
|
Scale |
1 : 72 |
|
Number of sheets A00 |
0 |
|
Number of A0 sheets |
0 |
|
Number of A1 sheets |
0 |
|
Number of A2 sheets |
1 |
|
Number of A3 sheets |
0 |
|
Number of A4 sheets |
0 |
|
Total number of drawing sheets |
1 |
|
Number of A4 text pages |
0 |
|
Weight in grams |
45 |
|
Details |
Overall length 93 cm |
|
Comments |
artek 0021/A |