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Wednesday 16 August 2017

Russian submarine Iskra (P3) 1931-1952


Laid down at the Ordzhinikidze Yard at St. Petersburg, Russia in 1931, launched in 1935 and broken up in 1952. Of the Pravda-class or P-class submarines consisting of the Pravda (P1), Zvezda (P2) and Iskra (P3); the fourth boat was never built. Of the Baltic Fleet. Originally designed in (October) 1930 to support battleships on long range operations. It became clear that due to the weak double hull construction which was divided into 8 compartments, worse seagoing qualities, powerless machinery and asking too much time during diving the boats less suitable were for attack-defence purposes. Instead were they used for training purposes and during the Second World War mainly for transport tasks. Stiffening and weight cutting were used to strengthen the hulls. The Pravda sunk on 17 September 1941, the sails of the Zvezda and Iskra were later modernized similar to the K-class. The building started in 1931 and was not earlier completed as five years later.

General technical specifications. Displacement 1.200 (surfaced)-1.870 (submerged) tons and as dimensions 90,0 x 3,0 metres. The machinery consisted of 2 shaft diesel-electric engines delivering 1.400 (electric)-5.400 (diesel) hp allowing a speed of 20,5 (surfaced)-11,8 (submerged) knots and with a speed of 10 knots a range of 5.700 nautical miles. The diving depth was 100metres or 100 340 feet. Crew numbered 54 men. The armament consisted of 6 torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern) for which 10 torpedoes were carried, 2-10cm guns and 1-4,5cm gun.