With the Type XXI, Germany had the most advanced submarine in the world at the beginning of 1945. Thanks to numerous technical innovations, it was able to sail underwater without restrictions, as the diesel engines sucked in the required fresh air through a special snorkel. The line shape designed for underwater cruising and a battery capacity three times larger resulted in the sensational underwater speed of 17 knots. Other innovations included low-noise electric motors for stealth driving, highly sensitive tracking devices and 2 cm anti-aircraft gun turrets. The model gives an authentic insight into this groundbreaking submarine due to the torn left hull outer wall. Many rooms have been reproduced in detail, including the diesel and electric engines. Glimpses of the command center and crew living quarters give an idea of life under water. The decal includes interior details and identifiers for U2540, which was commissioned on 24 February 1945. After a short training voyage, U2540 was sunk by the crew in the Flensburg Fjord on 04.05.1945. Raised again in 1957, it served the German Navy as the Wilhelm Bauer test boat. Today, U2540 can be visited as a museum boat.
Age recommendation: 12
Length: 53.1 cm
