This was another experimental coastal boat design and even though the shortcomings of the Walter Turbine were well known by this time, this design was to have another try at the Walter drive. Initially the TYPE XVII-B was to have two Walter turbines coupled to a single shaft but by the time the boats were being built, this was changed to a single turbine on a single shaft. There was little loss of speed while the savings in weight and space was considerable. This boat had the usual double pressure hull of the Walter boats, like an inverted figure 8 with the lower hull for the storage of the Aurol fuel. This type was equipped with a schnorkel.

Displacement 312/337 tons
Length 136’ 3”
Beam 10’ 9”
Draft 14’ 9”
Drive single-shaft Walter geared turbine (8 cyl Deutz diesel and electric motors as well)
Power (Walter) 2,500 hp
Power (Diesel) 210 hp
Power (Electric) 77 hp
Speed (Walter) 21.5 knots
Speed (Diesel) 8.5 knots
Speed (Electric) 5 knots
Fuel (Aurol) 55 tons
Fuel (Diesel) 20 tons
Range (Walter) 150 miles @ 20 knots
Range (Diesel) 3,000 miles @ 8 knots
Range (Electric) 40 miles @ 4.5 knots
Tubes (fwd) two 21 inch (carried 4 torpedoes) (aft) none
Guns none
AA Guns none
Crew 19 men
Depth of dive unknown

U-1405 through U-1416 were to be TYPE XVII-B boats, but not all were built. Here is the disposition;

U-1405, U-1406 and U-1407 were finished and scuttled at the end of the war. They were raised by the Allies, studied, then broken up for scrap. Their full history will told when we profile those boats. Have you noticed - we are doing three U-Boats per issue now.

U-1408, U-1409 and U-1410 were scrapped incomplete in the building process; Building orders for U-1411 through U-1416 were canceled before production began.