Preferred Loadout?

[Zero Niner]

What's your preferred loadout when you embark on patrol, and why?
For me, now in mid-1944, I use Mk18s exclusively except for a couple of Mk27s in the rear tubes (one in tube 10, one reload) in case I need to deal with a pesky escort.

I find that I hardly need the extra range a Mk14/23 affords, compared to a Mk18, and the lack of trail of bubbles helps keeping me concealed.

[Bubblehead1980]

Originally Posted by Zero Niner

What's your preferred loadout when you embark on patrol, and why?
For me, now in mid-1944, I use Mk18s exclusively except for a couple of Mk27s in the rear tubes (one in tube 10, one reload) in case I need to deal with a pesky escort.

I find that I hardly need the extra range a Mk14/23 affords, compared to a Mk18, and the lack of trail of bubbles helps keeping me concealed.

Depends on year and patrol area.


Typical 1944 patrol loadout for me resembles that have read about...MK 14/23 in forward tubes and reserve, MK 18 in aft tubes and aft reserve. This was done as for most part, MK 18 was not available in large numbers for most boats to take a full load to sea until Fall 1944, so as they were being introduced after a troubled initial deployment in Summer Fall 1943, they sort of spread the wealth around among commands with the improved versions in Early to mid 1944, and the commands tended to give each boat going out certain x amount.

Also, not every torpedoman was initially qualified to handle, maintain the MK-18 electric torpedo, so often those qualified would be assigned to the aft torpedo room with all or mostly electric fish , in many cases. In fact, there was actually a Torpedoman's Mate Electrical (TME 3c, 2c, 1c,) and of course Chief Torpedoman Electrical (CTME)

In TMO, due to all the night surface work required in 1944/1945, esp when convoys shift to running in the shallow coastal waters later in 1944, MK 14/23 works best for merchants, two torpedoes will take down most merchants, mortally would them, have the extra range if needed, moves at 46 knots on high power, and the larger warhead (simulated by more hit points than the MK 18)

MK 18 in stern tubes is great in case get a escort chasing up my stern and can't out run them, don't want to dive, especially in shallow waters, or have to dive, easier to get them with a "down the throat" shot as they close. Of course, they get used on all types of targets. Just nice to have a mixed bag so to speak, so can adapt to different situations.

Later in 1944 and into 1945, to be in line with history I will carry more MK 18's, eventually becoming the standard of the load, to stay in line with history, as they did grow to be more of a standard by Spring 1945, but will still venture out with MK 14's , at least a few.

MK 27...well I have it so they don't become available until 1945 in TMO and are costly to prevent overuse, by players, but I usually grab one for stern and one bow tubes , as subs would actually do if available, primarily for defense against escorts.


Early to Mid war I stay with the MK 14, occasionally may make one patrol with MK 10's in Spring Summer 1942, simulating when a shortage of torpedoes caused some fleet boats to go out on patrol.


Overall though...my preferred loadout when available is

16 MK 14/23 forward
8 MK 18 aft. or mixed load of 12 MK 14/23, 12 MK -18


Did you know the initial MK 18's deployed in 1943/early 1944 had a lot of teething issues. None with the detonator, because it had the improved MK 18 detonator but it still..

Ran several feet deeper than set, although not as often as MK 14 did in early part of war.

Suffered numerous gyroscope failures.


Prone to circular runs (sunk at least two US subs we know of, suspected of sinking others), throughout its use.



Often suffered "Cold fires", where the batteries were faulty or not heated enough..would launch from the compressed air but batteries would not generate enough power to propel itself to target and torpedo would just sink like a rock before blowing up from the depth pressure.

Other symptoms were due to batteries not providing enough power, not running at full speed of 29 knots but running at slower speeds, which caused them to miss since firing solution was set for torpedoes moving at 29 knots.

Unlike the MK 14 issues, higher ups listened and MK 18 issues were corrected (for most part) fairly quick, leading to a overall reliable torpedo.