>This will make more questions than it answers.

True! And quite basic ones.....

You said:

>The propulsion charactistics on the type IXC vessel are closer to those of present U.S. (World War II) designs than those of any other German type.

>The direct drive arrangement has a 2170 HP nine cylinder MAN diesel engine coupled to the main motor and to the shaft through appropriate clutches.

>The limitations that have been found to exist with a direct drive set-up on former S-boats apply as well to the German arrangement.


Thank you for the clutch details.

New questions:

A: So I understand the IXC is Diesel---clutch---MG----clutch----prop;
this duplicated - port & starboard. Correct?

One issue I see is difficulty in keeping the three items in exact lineup amid death charging and such; the last thing you would want would be to damage the packing bearing/seal with an off-center prop shaft!

B: How did this layout differ from other U-Boats?

C: How were US boats built? There are remarks that the U-Boat system was "less flexible" than the US. How?

D: Were there US or U-Boats that connected the Diesel only to the generator, and did not drive the prop directly?

E): Did any WWII submarines use transmissions/cross shafts so that one engine/motor could drive both props?