Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
Re: Similar diamaters in different country's torpedoes
Posted by:
ThomasHorton
()
Date: April 07, 2008 01:13PM
> Thomas:
>
> Are you Platapus - Seasoned Skipper?
>
> Later,
>
> ROBERT M.
Who wants to know?
I refuse to comment on the grounds it may incriminate myself.
This question of torpedo diameters is really starting to academically bug me. I am going through all my reference materials and can't find anyone who has addressed this previously.
I wonder if all three nations used some components that were common (gas flasks, gyro mountings) that requried the same diameter. Either that or there was some industral gig or manufacturing reason.
I can't think of any other reason why all three nations would decide around the 1920's to move to 533mm/21" for their sub launched torpedoes.
This is especially interesting in the case of Germany where the G7 torpedo was 500mm/19.7" but the G7a was 533mm/21".
The G7 was used primarily on Capital ships where the G7a was submarine launched. Why was the extra 1.3" needed in the diameter moving from the G7 to the G7A? Was it determined by an optimum size/shape of the warhead (430 Lbs vs 661 lbs)? This logic is refuted by the US being able to develope the Mk X and the Mk XIV with different explosive weights but the same diameter (533mm/21").
>
> Are you Platapus - Seasoned Skipper?
>
> Later,
>
> ROBERT M.
Who wants to know?
I refuse to comment on the grounds it may incriminate myself.
This question of torpedo diameters is really starting to academically bug me. I am going through all my reference materials and can't find anyone who has addressed this previously.
I wonder if all three nations used some components that were common (gas flasks, gyro mountings) that requried the same diameter. Either that or there was some industral gig or manufacturing reason.
I can't think of any other reason why all three nations would decide around the 1920's to move to 533mm/21" for their sub launched torpedoes.
This is especially interesting in the case of Germany where the G7 torpedo was 500mm/19.7" but the G7a was 533mm/21".
The G7 was used primarily on Capital ships where the G7a was submarine launched. Why was the extra 1.3" needed in the diameter moving from the G7 to the G7A? Was it determined by an optimum size/shape of the warhead (430 Lbs vs 661 lbs)? This logic is refuted by the US being able to develope the Mk X and the Mk XIV with different explosive weights but the same diameter (533mm/21").
