Q&A ยท 5:00:52-5:01:42

Why better turbines would not solve German shipbuilding

Turbine improvements would leave Germany's shipyard capacity, supporting infrastructure and complicated boilers as constraints.

Question

Could Germany build marine turbines comparable to Parsons designs during World War II?

Short answer

Germany could build capable turbines, often drawing on Swiss designs, but limited production, complex boilers, and yard capacity remained larger system constraints.

Notes

Germany could build marine turbines in both world wars. Limited output remained a constraint, and the World War I turbines are described as generally less fast. Better turbines in World War II would not by themselves increase shipyard capacity or provide the supporting infrastructure. Complicated boilers would remain another obstacle. Swiss designs already supplied capable turbine machinery.