Real World TDC Question

[btaft]

I have always wondered how the settings on the torpedo could be set after the tube doors had been opened (assuming the tube is flooded in the process).

1) Was there a magnetic switch or dial that could be used to make adjustments

or

2) Was everything set prior to openning the outer doors (this makes more sense)

JUst curious, becuase it seems that you can open the outer doors anytime you want in SH3 without any negative impact.

[melnibonian]

Everything was set before the torpedo was inserted in the tube. Actually early in the war the crew was checking the magnetic pistols every couple of hours to see if they were operating acording to specifications. No wonder the U-Boat crews hated them and were in favour of the older and more reliable impact pistols.

[klh]

Originally Posted by melnibonian

Everything was set before the torpedo was inserted in the tube.

Perhaps you're thinking of WWI?

I'm pretty sure that in WWII (based on what I've read and saw of the U505 and U534), the gyro angles (and depth and speed in some cases) for loaded torpedoes were "programmed" via contacts within the torpedo tubes. I believe this could be done with tubes flooded and outer doors open.

Reference:
http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php...3172#msg-63172
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/...onipubno44.htm
http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin...pedo_tubes.htm

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by klh

Perhaps you're thinking of WWI?

I'm pretty sure that in WWII (based on what I've read and saw of the U505 and U534), the gyro angles (and depth and speed in some cases) for loaded torpedoes were "programmed" via contacts within the torpedo tubes. I believe this could be done with tubes flooded and outer doors open.

Reference:
http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php...3172#msg-63172
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/...onipubno44.htm
http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin...pedo_tubes.htm

Agreed

It could take anything from 10 mins to an hour (depending on the conditions/weather etc) to load an eel. By which time all target settings were defunct.

[melnibonian]

Originally Posted by klh

Perhaps you're thinking of WWI?

I'm pretty sure that in WWII (based on what I've read and saw of the U505 and U534), the gyro angles (and depth and speed in some cases) for loaded torpedoes were "programmed" via contacts within the torpedo tubes. I believe this could be done with tubes flooded and outer doors open.

Reference:
http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php...3172#msg-63172
http://www.history.navy.mil/library/...onipubno44.htm
http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin...pedo_tubes.htm

I think there is a confusion here as I probably did not explained myself correctly. What I mean is that (I think at least and please correct me if I'm wrong) the choise of pistol was arranged before the torpedo entered the tube. Obviously all the target data were inserted in the targeting computer via electromechanical means. I hope it more clear now.

[Jimbuna]

Sorry mate.....first answer counts
You are the weakest link.....goodbye

:rotfl:

[melnibonian]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Sorry mate.....first answer counts
You are the weakest link.....goodbye

:rotfl:

Oh well.... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

[klh]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Sorry mate.....first answer counts
You are the weakest link.....goodbye

:rotfl:

Harsh!

No worries melnibonian. The rest of your comments about the exploder are spot on. I grant partial credit.

[Hitman]

I just went through my info sources about the matter and all I can find are references to the Gyro angle setting inside the torpedo tubes (Which was continuously updated through contact fuses until the last minute) but no reference to the magnetic/impact exploder. I would say that, due to the characteristics of the pistol, it would need to be adjusted out of the tube Anyway, US magnetic exploder torpedoes (Can't speak for germans, though) had also a back-up impact detonator, so that in case of bad depth-keeping or failiure of the primary magnetic exploder the torpedo would also explode at least of contact with the hull was made. In those US torpedoes the magnetic detonator was deactivated outside the torpedo tubes AFAIK so I would guess germans did the same. A real life success: In the USS Jack (Gato class) the commander Thomas Dykers decided to shoot at shallower depths than official doctrine indicated for magnetic torpedoes in order to insure impact detonations. That he did when the confidence in the magnetics was widespreadedly lost among commanding officers, but no deactivation of magnetics was done inside the tube.

P.S. note that torpedoes were frequently pulled out of the tube for routine servicing, so probably it was then when those decissions were made.

Hope that helps

IIRC, the magnetic pistol also had a contact device as well. So, therefore there was no need to set the pistol. As in SH3, if the torpedo is set for magnetic, it will also explole on contact.

That said, some pistols were most likely contact only. Especially right after the torpedo problems during the Norway invasion.

[btaft]

Thanks All.....I appreciate it. I figured it had to be something along those lines.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by melnibonian

Oh well.... :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

LMAO....you just knew I couldn't pass on an opportunity like that

[melnibonian]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

LMAO....you just knew I couldn't pass on an opportunity like that

I know Jim I know That's why we like you Chief

[seafarer]

I thought german WWII torpedo's were set the same as everyone else's - that is these settings were input mechanically by hand. In US WWII boats, there are rectangular cross-sectioned brass spindles that penetrate through the torpedo tube and interlock with rectangular-indented spindles on the torpedo itself. By turning the spindle keys, depth, gyro angle and speed were set, with discrete stops (clicks) providing feedback to the person turning the spindle.

You can check out the figures and such of how this worked at places like http://www.bowfin.org/website/bowfin...pedo_tubes.htm.

Also look over some of the technical stuff at:
http://www.eugeneleeslover.com/USNAVY/CHAPTER-12-J.html

Even on surface ships, these firing solution settings were passed by voice to the torpedo crew, who manually "keyed" in (ie. turned the spindle keys) the input settings on the fish before launching.

[Sailor Steve]

As far as the pistols (exploders) are concerned, US magnetic and impact pistols were a part of the whole; there was no way to disable the magnetic exploder without physically removing it, which some innovative captains had their chief torpedomen do.

Best evidence I've seen for the Germans involved switching them outside of the tubes, which was easier than on the US ones but still took some time. Thus when they were ordered in 1940 to "disable magnetic pistols", they could do it without much trouble. In either case there was no switch that allowed you to choose one or the other on the spot.