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Bubblehead1980 · 11-02-09, 09:23 PM

Duds were not unusual then, nor are premature explosions.Mark 14 torpedos were buggy to say the least then.They often ran 10-12 feet(or more sometimes) deeper then set and would often sail right under the target, too deep to set off the magnetic detonator.Then the impact detonator had a faulty firing pin that did not set off the torpedo on impact, thus it was a dud.

TMO accruately reflects this.I remember some patrols where every torpedo but 1 or 2 prematurely exploded or was a dud.To go with history(since you couldnt just turn magnetic detonator off with a switch, it was a process and forbidden until mid 43 and even later for boats out of Fremantle under Admiral Christie's command) I keep the magnetic detonator on, but it will still dud if you set it shallow hit the side and prematures as well.Just a fact of life real crews face, accurately portrayed in TMO.

I actually had a patrol in TMO in early 1943 where 23 torpedos prematurely exploded, 24th was a dud.It happens but it makes things more even, keeps tonnange scores in early war at realistic levels.My advice, just tough it out, try to fire at smaller angles for a "glancing" blow, less likely to suffer duds.

11-02-09, 09:23 PM	#6
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,121 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	re Duds were not unusual then, nor are premature explosions.Mark 14 torpedos were buggy to say the least then.They often ran 10-12 feet(or more sometimes) deeper then set and would often sail right under the target, too deep to set off the magnetic detonator.Then the impact detonator had a faulty firing pin that did not set off the torpedo on impact, thus it was a dud. TMO accruately reflects this.I remember some patrols where every torpedo but 1 or 2 prematurely exploded or was a dud.To go with history(since you couldnt just turn magnetic detonator off with a switch, it was a process and forbidden until mid 43 and even later for boats out of Fremantle under Admiral Christie's command) I keep the magnetic detonator on, but it will still dud if you set it shallow hit the side and prematures as well.Just a fact of life real crews face, accurately portrayed in TMO. I actually had a patrol in TMO in early 1943 where 23 torpedos prematurely exploded, 24th was a dud.It happens but it makes things more even, keeps tonnange scores in early war at realistic levels.My advice, just tough it out, try to fire at smaller angles for a "glancing" blow, less likely to suffer duds.