Soviet Shch (Schulka) class, medium submarine   The Schulka class (Pike) of medium submarines was built in very large numbers and was the subject of steady development through three major types- Series III, Series V (with 3 sub-types) and Series X (with 2 sub-types).This was the first original submarine design and produce in the USSR and remain in constant production, incorporating a steady stream of improvements, from 1929 to 1948.   The construction program was complicated and reflects the difficulties created by the vast geographical spread of the USSR. Thus boats for the Black Sea Fleet were built in the 61-Kummunar and Marti Yards in Nikolayev in the Crimea, and those for the Baltic Fleet by the Marti, Ordzhonikidze and Zhdanov yards in Leningrad. The Marti and Ordzhonikidze yards also fabricated parts which were then shipped to the Far East for assembly by the Dalzavod yard and service with the Pacific Fleet.   All the boats served in the Great Patriotic War and some were quite successful. Some 33 boats were lost during the war and the reminder served on until the 1950s except for 11 Series Xbis which survived into the 1960s.   Specifications, Series III: Riveted double-hull design, saddle-tank configuration. The hull was divided in to 6 compartments. Reportedly, these boats could only fire two forward tubes in one salvo, as the trim would be altered too radically. If more were fired.     Displacement (srf/sub tons): 578/704 Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 187’0*20’4*12’5/57.0*6.20*3.80 Propulsion: 2*1,370hp 8-cylinders Kolomna diesels, 2*800hp electric motors, 2*40hp electric creeping motors, 2*56 cell batteries, 2 shafts Speed (srf/sub knots): 11.5/8.5 Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 1,350@11.5 or 3,250@8.5/8@8.5 or 110@2.0 Diving depth (feet/meter): 290/90 Complement: 35 officers and crew Torpedo: 6*21"(533mm) bow torpedo tubes, 2*21" stern torpedo tubes, total of 10 torpedoes Mines: none Armament: 1*45mm/46cal. main deck gun, K-21 AA gun (500 rounds)   Construction Four hulls were built under the III series; Shch-1 Shchuka, Shch-2 Okun, Shch-3 Yorsh and Shch-4 Komsomolets, all by Ordzhonikidze, Leningrad; launched between Dec’1930 to May 1932.   Specifications, Series V/V bis/V bis2: Many of the shortcomings of the first four boats were addressed in the much more numerous Series V, which had a longer hull, sub-divided into seven compartments and more powerful engines with increased fuel capacity from 25 to 58 tons. Riveted double-hull design, saddle-tank configuration.   Displacement (srf/sub tons): 586/704 Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 191’11*20’4*13’9/58.5*6.20*4.30 Propulsion: 2*1,370hp 8-cylinders Kolomna diesels, 2*800hp electric motors, 2*56 cell KSM-2 batteries, 2 shafts Speed (srf/sub knots): 12.9/7.0 Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 2,200@12.9 or 4,500@8.5/7@7.0 or 100@2.0 Diving depth (feet/meter): 290/90 Complement: 37 officers and crew Torpedo: 6*21"(533mm) bow torpedo tubes, 2*21" stern torpedo tubes, total of 10 torpedoes Mines: none Armament: 1*45mm/46cal. main deck gun, added aft of coning tower in Vbis/ Vbis2-1*45mm/46cal., K-21 AA gun (1000 rounds)   Construction The Shch-101 through 112 constitute the V Series; the Shch-113 through 120, 201-204, 305 and 308 the Vbis; and the Shch-121 through 125, 205 through 207, and 300 are the Vbis2 Series- a total of some 39 hulls. The Shcs101 through Shcs 112 were prefabricated at the Marti yard, Leningrad; the Shch-113 through Shch-125 were prefabricated at the 61-Kummunar, Nikolayev.   Specifications, Series X/X bis: The Series X was generally similar to the earlier boats, but with more powerful engines. Endurance was doubled to 40 days and the Series X boats were no longer coastal boats, but had an ocean-going capability. In the Series Xbis the major improvements were concerned with enabling production to be both easier and quicker. Riveted double-hull design, saddle-tank configuration.   Displacement (srf/sub tons): 590/708 Dimensions (L*B*D feet/meter): 192’9*20’4*13’2/58.75*6.20*4.00 Propulsion: 2*1,600hp 8-cylinders Kolomna diesels, 2*800hp electric motors, 2*56 cell KSM-2 batteries, 2 shafts Speed (srf/sub knots): 1306/8.0 Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 1,200@13.6 or 3,650@7.5/8@8.0 or 120@2.5 Diving depth (feet/meter): 290/90 Complement: 38 officers and crew Torpedo: 6*21"(533mm) bow torpedo tubes, 2*21" stern torpedo tubes, total of 10 torpedoes Mines: none Armament: 1*45mm/46cal. main deck gun, 1*45mm/46cal. aft of coning tower, K-21 AA gun (1000 rounds)   Construction TheShch-126 through 133, 208- 215, and 312-328 (32 units) constituted the Series X; fabricated by Dalzavod, Vladivostok; Marti yard, Nikolayev; and 61-Kummunar, Nikolayev;all launched 1934 to 1940. The 29 hulls constituting Series Xbis were all launce between 1940 to 1947 by Marti yard and Sudomekh in Leningrad. Back to History Index   Image Country Year Description Russia 2005 Submarine SHC class series X (1936), 3 March 2005, cancellation Murmansk Russia 2005 Submarine SHC class series X (1936), 3 March 2005, cancellation Saint Petersburg Russia 2005 Submarine SHC class series X (1936) (sheet of 14 stamps) Russia 2005 Submarine SHC class series X (1936)