Magnetic pistol

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Mescator

As i recall, It was basically the same as the BuOrd version, only machined in lightweight aluminum from the japanese planes that were shot down during the attack on Pearl Harbor. Lowered the initial forces by replacing the heavier metal they originally used.

I've read this, but some sources described this as the firing pins being aluminum, and some as guide pins being aluminum. Most authors don't seem to be very interested in the details of this. I would love to see a schematic of the mk 6. Anyway, it suggests that the problem could be easily fixed once it was identified.

I believe the 13 and 15 suffered the same problems, but it was less obvious. Due to the nature of Arial bombing and surface combat, less attention was paid to the detonations. A unobserved Submarine however....

One would think the BuOrd would use the same exploder in all it's first line offensive torpedos, but I have no confirmation of this. I really don't know. The last book I read on the subject, talked quite a bit about the Mk 13 and problems related to water-entry (nothing about any exploder issues), but said nothing about the Mk 15. Perhaps destroyers did not use them enough for any shortcomings to be noticed. I have also not read much about whatever exploder was in the Mk 10. Apparently, it worked well enough. I must try to find some more info on the subject.