„Walter“ – the German XVII-B type U-boot

The Type XVII U-Boat was a experimental submarine, equipped with an innovative engine - the Walter Turbine. It allowed the ship to achieve better underwater swimming performance. The principle of operation of the turbine is based on the decomposition of highly compressed hydrogen peroxide in a closed circuit. The resulting mixture of steam and oxygen during this process was burned together with fuel (engine oil) and turned a standard turbine. The advantage of such an engine was its smaller dimensions and weight, and the obtained swimming characteristics were the same, as those of large submarines of the time. This device did not require as much oxygen, as other submarines of the time, so the “Walter” could spend longer submerged. Walter's turbine also had its drawbacks: frequent self-ignition of the fuel, a complex exhaust gas removal system, and the cost of the propulsion system itself. After carrying out tests of the use of Walter's turbine, the construction of the XVII-A type submarine began in 1942. But this ship had a number of problems with the propulsion system. After the deficiencies were rectified, the ships entered service as Type XVII-B. They were fitted with a single Walter turbine and ships of this type had no external armament. Only two torpedo tubes could fit in the small and narrow hull. Type XVII-B submarines (U-1405 - U-1407) served in 8 Submarine (training) and 5 combat Submarine flotillas. All U-boats of this type were sunk by their own crews in 1945, and U-1408 and U-1409 were never completed.

The model is well designed and detailed, of moderate difficulty, so we recommend it for experienced and intermediate modellers, but it can also be glued by a less experienced modeler under the supervision of a more experienced colleague. The model recreates a Type XVII-B submarine, that served in the 8th Submarine (Training) Flotilla and was based in Gdańsk. The publication contains 4 “G-7” 533 mm caliber torpedo parts, from which torpedo models can be made. They can be placed in open torpedo tubes or placed next to the model.