British D Class Submarines - British D Class Submarine, HMS D3, HMS D2, HMS D5, HMS D8, HMS D4, HMS D6, HMS D1, HMS D7 (Paperback)

Chapters: British D Class Submarine, Hms D3, Hms D2, Hms D5, Hms D8, Hms D4, Hms D6, Hms D1, Hms D7. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 28. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: 3 x 18-inch (45-cm) torpedo tubes (2 forward, one aft, 6 torpedoes) 1 x 12 pdr (76 mm) QF gunThe D Class submarine was the Royal Navy's first class of submarine capable of operating significantly beyond coastal waters. They were also the first boats to be fitted with wireless transmitters. The patrol submarines evolved from the C class boats. They were designed to be propelled by diesel motors on the surface to avoid the problems with petrol engines experienced with the A class. These boats were designed for foreign service with an endurance of 2500 nm at 10 knots on the surface and much improved living conditions for a larger crew. D boats were fitted with twin screws for greater manoeuvrability and were fitted with saddle tanks. The D class were the first submarines to be equipped with deck guns forward of the conning tower beginning with D6. Also, reserve buoyancy was increased to 20.6%. Armament also included three 18 inch torpedo tubes (2 vertically in the bow and 1 in the stern). D class was also the first class of British submarine to have standard radio fitted. The aerial was attached to the mast of the conning tower that was lowered before diving. With their enlarged bridge structure the boat profile was recognisably that of the modern submarine. The D Class submarines were considered to be so innovative that the prototype D1 was built in utmost secrecy in a securely guarded building shed. She was launched at Barrow with equal secrecy, with only departmental heads and a few officers from the cruiser HMS Mercury, that was currently in dock being present. Once moved to the fitting out berth, she was once ...More: http: //booksllc.net/?id=1043546