350-021 BRITISH K-CLASS SUBMARINE

Type K is the name of a class of British steam-powered and diesel-electric submarines from the First World War and the interwar period. The first unit of this type was launched in 1916, and the last - three years later. In total, 18 out of 24 planned units of this type were built. The Type K was 103 m long, 8 m wide, and had a displacement of about 2,600 tons. The maximum surface speed is approximately 24 knots. The ships of this type had two 102 mm cannons, a single 76.2 mm cannon, and - at the time of launching - ten 450 mm torpedo tubes. The Type K ships were built as the so-called Fleet Submarine, i.e. submarines cooperating with heavy, surface Royal Navy units, performing primarily reconnaissance roles. For this reason, they had to develop a speed clearly in excess of 20 knots, which in turn was guaranteed - at that time - only by a steam turbine drive. Many novelties were used in the course of their production. They were the first British submarines with a completely closed and glassed wheelhouse. They were also the Royal Navy's first true diesel-electric submarines. However, in the course of operation, the K-type unit turned out to be highly failure-prone and prone to failures. They also had a very shallow immersion depth and the descent maneuver itself was long and complicated. The ships also had insufficient navigational equipment. Units of this type were also not very successful during the First World War. The last Type K units were withdrawn from the line by 1931.