Best Torpedoes

[Soren]

Yes that is a good site, and it also shows just how fast the Japanee's torp's were, and with massive warhead's.

But, the fact that these Jap torp's were straight running torp's with no guidance, other than a gyroscope wich only insured the torp would pass its pre-established target area, prevents me from giving them first place as the best torp's of the war.

[trackend]

The torpedos that the japanese produced I think where excellent however the delivery systems (Ships & Subs come way down the league as far as Im concerned)

[Soren]

Yes, in the beginning of the war Japanese torpedo's were excellent, better than any western torpedos.(And much better than the German G7a T1)

But as WW2 progressed Japanese torp's began lacking behind their western counterparts. Especially German torpedo's were much more advanced than Japanese torpedo's by the mid to late-war period.

[Gnomey]

Originally Posted by Soren

Yes, in the beginning of the war Japanese torpedo's were excellent, better than any western torpedos.(And much better than the German G7a T1)

But as WW2 progressed Japanese torp's began lacking behind their western counterparts. Especially German torpedo's were much more advanced than Japanese torpedo's by the mid to late-war period.

Agreed.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Here is some info on the German Torpedoes of WW2.

53.3 cm (21") G7a T1

Ship Class Used On Surface ships and Submarines
Date Of Design about 1930
Date In Service about 1938
Weight 3,369 lbs. (1,528 kg)
Overall Length 23 ft. 7 in. (7.186 m)
Explosive Charge 661 lbs. (320 kg) Hexanite
Range / Speed 6,560 yards (6,000 m) / 44 knots
8,750 yards (8,000 m) / 40 knots
15,300 yards (14,000 m) / 30 knots
Power Decahydronaphthalene (Decalin) Wet-Heater
Notes: Also known as "Ato," this torpedo was issued throughout the war and was considered to be very reliable. The 44 knot speed was found to overload the engine and was not used during the early years of the war. The early models used in 1939 had ranges about 20% less than those given above and the warhead was 617.3 lbs. (280 kg). The turbine drove a single six-bladed propeller.
The Federapparattorpedo (spring-operated torpedo) or FAT variation had a simple guidance system that allowed a series of long or short legs or loops at the end of a configurable length of straight course.

Starting about mid-1944, the Lagenunabhängiger Torpedo (LUT) variation was introduced which was a more sophisticated version of FAT. LUT could be fired at any target angle and could follow a curved path to its target. LUT had problems with the targeting gear not disengaging at launch, resulting in "tube runners" and appears to have been rarely used after December 1944.

53.3 cm (21") G7e T2 and T3

Ship Class Used On Submarines and Schnellbootes (E-boats)
Date Of Design about 1935
Date In Service about 1939
Weight 3,534 lbs. (1,603 kg)
Overall Length 23 ft. 7 in. (7.186 m)
Explosive Charge 440 lbs. (200 kg) Hexanite
Range / Speed 5,470 yards (5,000 m) / 30 knots
Power Lead-acid batteries
Notes:
Also known as "Eto," this unit used a 100 hp electric motor that drove two contra-rotating two-bladed propellers. The above range and speed could be reached only if the batteries were preheated to 30 degrees Celsius. These torpedoes had to be serviced every three to five days in order to maintain their reliability. The most common variations were as follows:
T2: This version had two batteries, each having 26 cells and rated at 93 amp hours in total.
T3: Same as T2 but with influence fuze.
T3a: Same as T2 but with a larger battery capacity of 125 amp hours.
T3b: The propulsive part of the Marder Submarine. Max speed of 2.5 knots.
T3c: The torpedo for the Marder Submarine. The forward battery was eliminated.
Weight: 2,937 lbs. (1,332 kg)
Range / Speed: 4,370 yards (4,000 m) / 18.5 knots.
T3d Dackel: A very long range / slow speed version intended for use in harbors or restricted bays. Could be programmed with specific circling or legs at the end of a straight run.
Length: 36 feet (11 m)
Weight: 4,885 lbs. (2,216 kg)
Range / Speed: 62,300 yards (57,000 m) / 9 knots.
T3e Kreuzotter: Another Midget Submarine Torpedo.
Weight: 2,961 lbs. (1,343 kg)
Range / Speed: 8,200 yards (7,500 m) / 20 knots

Homing Torpedoes 53.3 cm (21") G7e T4, T5, T10 and T11

Ship Class Used On Submarines
Date Of Design about 1940
Date In Service 1943
Weight T4: 3,080 lbs. (1,937 kg)
T5, T5a and T5b: N/A
T10: 3,571 lbs. (1,620 kg)
T11: N/A
Overall Length 23 ft. 7 in. (7.186 m)
Explosive Charge 440 lbs. (200 kg) Hexanite
Range / Speed T4: 8,200 yards (7,500 m) / 20 knots
T5: 6,230 yards (5,700 m) / 24-25 knots
T5a and T5b: 8,750 yards (8,000 m) / 22 knots
T10: 5,470 yards (5,000 m) / 30 knots
T11: 6,230 yards (5,700 m) / 24-25 knots
Power Lead-acid batteries
Notes:
Many records on these torpedoes were lost when the Gotenhafen experimental station was demolished to prevent capture by the Soviet Union. Serious experiments on homing torpedoes began in 1936.
T4 Falke: The first passive homer. Homing was by a simple noise measurement. Intended for use against merchant ships so the low speed was acceptable.
T5 Zaunkönig 1 (wren): Known as GNAT to the British. For use against convoy escorts. Designed to home in on cavitation noise of around 24.5 kHz which was equivalent to propellers on an escort traveling at 10 to 18 knots. First successful combat use in September 1943.
T5a: A modified T5 used by S-boots (E-boats).
T5b: Same range as T5a but used by submarines
T10 Spinne: A standard torpedo modified to use wire guidance. First issued in 1944 but the results were not satisfactory.
T11 Zaunkönig 2: Improved T5 less influenced by Foxer (towed noise maker).

45 cm (17.7") F5

Ship Class Used On Aircraft
Date Of Design 1935
Date In Service 1939
Weight 1,625 lbs. (737 kg)
Overall Length 15 ft 9 in (4.804 m)
Explosive Charge 441 lbs. (200 kg) Hexanite
Range / Speed 2,200 yards (2,000 m) / 33 knots
Power Decahydronaphthalene (Decalin) Wet-Heater
Notes: The F5 was a low-performance Norwegian Torpedo developed by Schwarzkopf. Dropping speed was 75 knots from 50 - 80 feet (15 to 25 m).

45 cm (17.7") F5b

Ship Class Used On Aircraft
Date Of Design 1935
Date In Service 1941
Weight 1,598 - 1,790 lbs. (725 - 812 kg)
Overall Length 15 ft 9 in - 16 ft 11.5 in (4.804 -5.160 m)
Explosive Charge 397 - 551 lbs. (180 - 250 kg) Hexanite
Range / Speed 2,200 yards (2,000 m) / 40 knots
6,560 yards (6,000 m) / 24 knots
Power Decahydronaphthalene (Decalin) Wet-Heater
Notes: The F5b was in service from late 1941 to the end of the war with relatively minor changes. To control flight in the air a wooden K3 tail was used that broke off when entering the water. This was replaced in 1944 with L2 which was similar but had ailerons operated via a heavy gyro. The L2 tail permitted increased dropping speeds and heights, the maximums actually achieved were 183 knots and 390 feet (120 m). The differences in weights and lengths in the table above are due to the different warheads.

45 cm (17.7") F5W

This was the German designation of the Italian Fiume torpedo "W" and was used in large quantities before the 5b was available.

Overall Length 18 ft. 10.5 in. (5.750 m)
Explosive Charge 441 lbs. (200 kg)
Range / Speed 3,300 yards (3,000 m) / 44 knots
8,750 yards (8,000 m) / 30 knots
Power Wet-heater
Notes: Fiume (Whitehead) torpedo. Also used with sub-caliber fittings to enable it to be fired from 21" (533 mm) tubes.

All of this info can be found at: http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/index_weapons.htm

[Soren]

That looks like a good site Adler, however there are some serious flaws on it:

The G7es T5-11 Zaunkönigs had a 274kg warhead, not a 200kg one. And the G7e T2-3's warhead consisted of 280kg of explosives, and again not only 200kg.

And finally the G7a T1 also had a warhead of 280kg, and not 320kg.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Well most websites I have been to states that the G7a T1 had a 320kg warhead. Some websites have stated 280kg and other 320kg. Until I see deffinative proof of either I will go with either size of warhead.

Here are 2 more that state 320kg.

http://www.bismarck-class.dk/technic...pedog7at1.html

http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/F4.HTM

[Soren]

Yeah but those are websites Adler, and could therefore be based on each other

The correct figures are:

280kg warhead for the G7a T1 and G7e T2-3.

274kg warhead for the G7es T5-11 Zaunkönigs.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Can you show me this from a reliable source? I am not saying you are wrong, just want to clarify this.

[Soren]

Well you could read “Hitler’s U-boat War – The Hunted 1939-1942” by Clair Blair, ISBN: 0679640320. As-well as “Hitler’s U-boat War – The Hunted 1942-1945” by Clair Bair, ISBN: 0304352616.

And if you don't want to spent your money on that, then you can read it here, one of two site’s which is considered a reliable source by U-boat researchers: http://uboat.net/technical/torpedoes.htm

Quote: All the German U-boat torpedoes were 53.3cm (21 inch) in diameter and had a warhead of 280kg (The T5 had 274kg)

Btw, what just happened to the forum ? suddenly I couldnt get to it at all.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I have used U-boot net before. It is actually a great website.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

I have used U-boot net before. It is actually a great website.

Yes its a truly great site, with lots and lots of interesting info on the U-boat war.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I enjoy the section where they show the histories for every U-boot that is known and where they lie today. Very interesting.

[Soren]

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

I enjoy the section where they show the histories for every U-boot that is known and where they lie today. Very interesting.

Yes, especially that part is interesting !

Once spent half a day looking up the fates of all those "Boots", tiring but interesting.

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I did the same the last time I had 24 hour duty.