This photo gives a good sense of the size of the sub. Not large at all.

Even with her limited conventional battery power, she could reach twenty-seven knots in short bursts. But speed was not her sole asset. She could do tight turns and dives as if she were a jet plane. In fact, her control room resembled the cockpit of a jet, her diving officer directing her course and depth with a single "stick" while strapped into a bucket seat complete with seat belt. Her crew, as she dived and turned with startling swiftness, hung on to overhead straps like subway riders.

In 1989, Albacore was designated a National Historic Landmark due to her contributions to submarine design. In 2000, she was further honored with the designation of being a Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark for her many unique systems and a Historic Welded Structure for her hull. In May of 2005, Albacore was inducted into the Submarine Hall of Fame in Norfolk, Virginia for her contributions to submarine engineering and tactics.