(National
Archives photo, scanned from Polmar & Carpenter's "Submarines of the
Imperial Japanese Navy")
Prototype for the large I-boats (KD2-KD7 types) which followed, this design was based on
the German U-139 from the First World War. Like her successors, I-51 had a double hull and
mobility comparable to battleships of the day in order to operate with the battle fleet. She received new engines in 1932, but never saw combat and was scrapped in 1941.
| Units | 1 (Scrapped pre-war) |
|---|---|
| Ships | I-51 |
| Year(s) Completed | 1924 |
| Displacement | 1,500 tons / 2,430 tons |
| Dimensions | 300 ft x 29 ft x 15 ft | Machinery | 4
diesels: 5,200 hp
electric motors: 2,000 hp |
| Speed | 20 knots / 10 knots |
| Range | 20,000 nm @ 10 knots |
| Armament | 6x533mm TT fwd + 2x533mm TT aft + 1x12cm/50 cal. (24 Torpedoes) |
| Max. Depth | 60 m (200 feet) |
| Crew | 60 officers and men |
