Mk 27 Cutie

[Zero Niner]

Running FOTRSU - is it worth sacrificing a tube or two to carry a couple of these babies?
How do I employ this? I read that it can be launched from deeper than periscope depth, but how deep? And does it require some form of aiming?

[KaleunMarco]

Running FOTRSU - is it worth sacrificing a tube or two to carry a couple of these babies?
once you get the hang of it, yes, it is probably worth having one loaded and maybe one spare.

How do I employ this? not sure what you mean here.

I read that it can be launched from deeper than periscope depth, but how deep? each boat is probably different. browse to \data\submarine\boattype\. look for the boattype.CFG file. open it with a text editor like Notepad. look for the line entry: TorpLaunchMaxDepth=45.75.
the number will be in METERS. that is bottom line for launching any kind of torpedo. (please forgive my hyperbole.)
do not make any changes to this file or it may screw up something else.

And does it require some form of aiming? yes, it is best if you can use the periscope to shoot a Mk27 at an enemy. if you are deeper than PD then use the downed-periscope to aim at the enemy position and then shoot the fish. i find that leading the DD/DE just a bit gives better-than-average results, if you can get that info while you lining up the shot.

[Zero Niner]

Quote:
How do I employ this?
not sure what you mean here.

I meant is it a last resort, use when the enemy is breathing down your neck kind of weapon? Is there an optimum range to target to launch?
In game, will one hit sink a small escort (DE or minelayer, say) or just immobilise them so they're dead in the water?

[Bubblehead1980]

Running FOTRSU - is it worth sacrificing a tube or two to carry a couple of these babies?
How do I employ this? I read that it can be launched from deeper than periscope depth, but how deep? And does it require some form of aiming?

I am not completely sure about specifics in FOTRS, so will talk about the "Cutie" in general in SH 4.


Overall, they are not worth it to give up space for what are basically experimental weapons, when could use reliable conventional torpedoes especially when they are first introduced and cost a lot of renown. Assuming FOTRS handles it like TMO etc, later in war cost goes down, and targets are not as plentiful, worth it to go out with a couple, as many subs were doing in mid 1945 to end of war.

I am not sure what the specific depth can be launched from in FOTRS but in in TMO can launch up 125 feet.


Firing them can be tricky at first, primarily due to the low speed of 12 knots.

Set up the shot as you would any torpedo...AOB, speed, range, into TDC. However, you need to fire on a bearing that will give the torpedo time (Again, it is slow, moves at 12 knots, max range of 5000 yards) to reach the target. Also, have to take into account the "straight run" of torpedo, which I believe is 1000 yards, before it goes into homing mode. Have to fire the torpedo so that it arrives to intersect at a point, close to the stern of target and thus the torpedo hydrophone will detect the prop sounds and "lock" on. Remember, this is simulating 1940's technology, one that was new at the time, so it does not always function as it should. Also, need to launch from about 1500-2000 yards, close as possible so torpedo has plenty of battery power left to catch the target or if it misses, to locate another target.

Torpedo should be set to minimum depth, as in SH 4 seems torpedo will not change depth to chase target, gives it the chance to hit the rudders and props as well. When was learning how to use it, suffered several misses due to depth setting.



Keep in mind, Cutie was primarily designed to be used as self defense weapon against ASW escorts vessels, but homing in and striking the props. Their warheads were small, so could knock out props, rudders, perhaps damage sterns and cause flooding, sinking them if lucky. Not sure about the power in FOTRS, I increased it slightly in TMO, because they would hit and not damage the props etc lol it was ridiculous. Also have to keep in mind they have a tough time catching escorts or even merchants moving at reasonable speed of 12 knots or so in many situations.

I've used them successfully a few times, especially useful in late war in TMO when , much as in real life, so much patrol activity takes place in shallow waters and gives some chance of defending yourself when submerged, aside from a "down the throat" shot with conventional torpedoes, which does work in the sim, but can be a crap shoot.

A time the "Cutie" worked well...


A patrol sometime last year, was in the Java Sea, off west coast of Java in June 1945, acting on a ULTRA, located a Myoko Class heavy cruiser(Added to represent movements of the IJN Cruiser ASHIGARA, sunk 8 June 1945 in Bangka Strait by British submarine HMS Trenchant) with a DD escort heading east. I had about 70 feet below keel. I fired six MK 14 from 6000 yards, close as could get. Two hit, damaging the CA. The Destroyer came after me. I turned for deeper waters. In stern tubes I have three MK 18 torpedoes and one "Cutie" homing torpedo. Once destroyer was in range, I fired two MK 18 in a "down the throat shot". While they tracked perfectly, they missed, ran below the ship, it happens, even in 1945. I fired the next MK 18 and the Cutie. MK 18 missed for unknown reason, perfect set up. Cutie tracked properly, ran along side the ship (if had magnetic detonator, would have set it off) then turned. The DD had slowed but was moving at about 15 knots. Wanting to slow it, I raised the scope again, the DD began zig zagging, anticipating a shot I suppose. Naturally, this slowed the DD enough for the homing torpedo to close the range. I went "deep" to 80 ft and just a couple feet off the bottom of the water, rigged for depth charge, when heard explosion and report of torpedo impact.

Destroyer stopped pinging and its engine noises were not as loud. About ten minutes later came to periscope depth to see the destroyer listing by the stern to the port but underway. Went to external cam and saw the DD's port prop was gun as well as its rudder. Slowly began to sink by stern, after about two hours, DD sunk.

[LUKNER]

As far as I know from the historical sources of the Mk27, this is the Fido Mk24 torpedo to which wooden guides were attached for firing 533 mm torpedo tubes, and the use on submarines did not show itself. But the Mk 28 already developed for use from submarines just gave success since the end of 1944. But I have a question in this regard: in different sources, this success in sinking escort ships is attributed to either Mk27 or Mk28. What kind of torpedoes were used in large numbers?


Насколько я знаю из исторических источников Мк27 это торпеда Фидо Мк24 к которой приделали деревянные направляющие для стрельбы из 533 мм торпедных аппаратов, и применение на подлодках никак себя не показало. А вот Мк 28 разработанные уже под применение с подлодок как раз дали успех с конца 1944 года. Но у меня в связи с этим вопрос: в разных источниках этот успех в потоплении эскортных кораблей приписываются то Мк27, то Мк28. Какая все таки их этих торпед применялась в большом количестве?