This article describes the Japanese miniature submarine class type B. For the regular submarine class, also called type B, see submarine class type I-15 .
2 (mounted one behind the other in opposite directions)
The submarine class type B ( Japanese. 甲 標的 乙型 [潜水 艦] , kō-hyōteki otsu-gata [sensuikan] , "class of type B submarines") was the planned replacement of the 1938 by the Imperial Japanese Navy developed type A-class of micro-submarines . However, only a prototype was built for testing purposes before the development of the Type C-Class began in 1943 .
Development history
The first conceptions of the "Type B" class (actually otsu from the kō-otsu-hei-tei numbering system ) were already available to the Japanese naval command in 1942. They resulted from the technical peculiarities of the "Type A", which only had a limited range and was therefore dependent on external carrier systems that brought it close to the target. The biggest drawback, however, was the inability to recharge the batteries during use. As early as October 1942, the prototype of the "Type B" was laid down in Kure . He received the identification Ha 53 . In addition to an electric motor for underwater travel, which allowed a range of 120 nm at 18.5 kn , the HA 53 had a 40 hp diesel engine that had a range of 350 nm for surface travel. In an emergency, this diesel engine was able to fully charge the empty batteries within 18 hours when traveling over water. As primary armament, the boat had two torpedoes lying one above the other in the bow.
The test drives of Ha 53 were very successful and revealed only minor weaknesses. However, there was no longer any series production. Instead, the experience and opportunities for improvement flowed straight into the series production of the "Type C", which had already started in 1943. Nothing was known about combat operations by Ha 53 .
literature
Harald Fock: Naval small weapons. Manned torpedoes, small submarines, small speedboats, explosives yesterday - today - tomorrow. Nikol, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-930656-34-5 , p. 47.
