Soviet`s L-class, Leninets class, minelaying submarine   The L-class series II was design by B.M. Malinin, this class was developed from the D class series I, with the after torpedo tubes being replaced by two mine shafts. The two stern mine shafts were externally loaded in port by trimming the boat to raise shaft openings clear of the water. Prior to mine laying the shafts were flooded and the mines were launched by an electrically powered mechanical gearing. Mine could be laid while the submarine was on the surface or submerged.   Specifications, Soviet L-class series II: Riveted double-hull design, saddle-tank configuration. The XI Series was similar to the succeeding XIII Series but without the stern torpedo tubes. The XIII Series represented an improvement over the XI Series with two torpedo tubes fitted in the stern-no. of torpedo increased from 12 to 20 with the no. of shaft-laid mines reduced from 20 to 18. The final version of the L class- the XIII bis, was slightly larger with a displacement of 1,108/1,399 tons, had a significant increase in diesel power, 2*2,00hp, and a higher surface speed of 18 knots.   Displacement (srf/sub tons): 1,040/1,335 Dimensions (L*B*D feet): 256`11*23`0*13`9 Propulsion: 2*1,100hp Kolomna 42-BM-6 diesels, 2*500hp electric motors, 3*112 cell type PS batteries, 2 shafts Speed (srf/sub knots): 13.8/8.4 Range (srf/sub n/miles@knots): 3,590@13.8 or 7,400@7.7/9@8.4 or152@2.5 Diving depth (feet): 295 Complement: 50 officers and crew Torpedo: 6*21"(533mm) bow torpedo tubes, total of 12 torpedoes (2*stern torpedo tubes added in later series with a total of 20 torpedoes) Mines: 2*stern mine shafts, 20*PLT-10 type Armament: 1*102mm/45cal. main deck gun,1*45mm/46 cal. K-21 AA gun, later series had a 100mm/50cal. B-24 as a main deck gun and an extra 2*7.62mm machine guns   Construction Six hulls were built under the II series; L-1 to L-3 by Ordzhonikidze, Leningrad; launched in 1931, L-4 to L-6 by Marti yard, Nikolayev; launched 1931-32. Series XI had six hulls all assembled by Dalzavod, Vladivostok, L-7 to L-9 prefabricated by Ordzhonikidze, Leningrad, launched 1933-34, L-10 and 12 prefabricated by Marti yard, Nikolayev, all launched in 1934. Series XIII had seven hulls all assembled by Dalzavod, Vladivostok, L-13 to L-16 prefabricated by Ordzhonikidze, Leningrad, launched 1936, L-17 and 18 prefabricated by Marti yard, Nikolayev, launched 1935-36 and L-19 by the navy yard in Sevastopol, launched in 1938. Six hulls were built under the final version of the class, the XIII bis series; L-20 to L-22 by Ordzhonikidze, Leningrad; launched in 1939-40, L-23 to L-25 by Marti yard, Nikolayev; launched 1940-41. Back to History Index   Image Country Year Description Russia 1995 50th anni` of victory in WW-II.L class submarine in margin (sheetlet 6 stamps)