View Full Version : "Realistic" Torpedo loading?
Charlie901
03-20-2005, 08:33 PM
Did it really take that long to reload a torpedo IRL?
I was just wondering what a crew had to actually do when reloading a Torpedo Tube, cause it seems like it should have been designed faster.
HeibgesU999
03-20-2005, 08:35 PM
With a good crew you can get it under 11 minutes per tube.
The Type XXI has a much improved reloading system.
Charlie901
03-20-2005, 08:47 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by HeibgesU999:
With a good crew you can get it under 11 minutes per tube.
The Type XXI has a much improved reloading system. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Why does it takes 11 minutes to load a tube?
DEFkon2005
03-20-2005, 08:49 PM
what about the external reserves? Didn't that require the crew to set up some kind of external rigging equipment or soemthing.. i think i've seen pictures somewhere. If that's the case i really wonder if moving a torp from external to internal was even possible in rough seas.
quillan
03-20-2005, 08:52 PM
Because a T1 torpedo is 21" in diamter, 23' 7" long, weighs 3,369 pounds (over a ton and a half), and you're moving it by hand.
DEFkon2005
03-20-2005, 09:04 PM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Why does it takes 11 minutes to load a tube? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Well i might be mistaken but i'm pretty sure that in order to "load a tube" you first had to get the torpedo off the rack (or from under the floor perhaps) which meant you had to set up some rigging which was probably some elaborte set of pullies and chains. Sorta like like removing an engine block from a car i imagine... except this one might explode if your not carefull. Then i'm sure it need to be armed and "programed" or it had to be setup in some manner to mechanically make alterations to the firing program. Given that they didn't have comptuers, i'd guess that this took a little while. Then you had to get the water out of the tube by injecting presured air. slider her in, seal it shut. and god knows what.
Clamps
03-20-2005, 10:47 PM
the das boot film shows a small part of what was done to reload. film showed them puting ky jelly or oil all over the torp and then useing riging system to load the torp into the tube its self.
ARM505
03-20-2005, 11:30 PM
I'd just like to re-emphasise what somebody said above. Torpedoes are BIG, and you're doing a lot of the lifting with block and tackle, pulleys etc, in a pretty confined space, at least in those days. It was tricky, physical work. It's a LOT better these days.
But the reaction of most people, on first seeing a real torpedo, is 'Wow, what kind of submarine is that?'
Captain_David
03-21-2005, 02:14 AM
Yes they are really huge, 53cm weighs approx. 1,5tons. Can be up to 9m long.. I've climbed around a few and its an odd feeling.. Hmm, what would happen if i punch it hard with a hammer..
Its an incredible power in a torpedo, you should hear when one of these blow up..
Beeryus
03-21-2005, 02:24 AM
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Charlie901:
Did it really take that long to reload a torpedo IRL? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Short answer - yes.