Worried about torpedo impact sensitivity

[Barkhorn1x]

Starting in mid-1943, the gradual introduction of the Mark XVIII electric torpedo into the theater brought substantial relief from the persistent torpedo shortages of the early war years. Although slower than the Mark XIV by 10 to 15 knots and somewhat limited in range, the Mark XVIII left no tell-tale wake that could give away a submarine's position, and it was much easier to manufacture in quantity. By the middle of 1944, when all their teething problems had been solved, Mark XVIII torpedoes constituted three-quarters of the standard patrol load-out.

From here:

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/...12/rising.html

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Snakeeyes

One thing I'm going to miss jumping from SHIII to IV is the better German torpedoes.

I was wondering if anyone knew when during the war (or IF for that matter) American torpedoes went "wakeless." It' s a big advantage to not have a streaming wake of bubbles leading a destroyer back to me.

Torpedoes will be the number one hardest aspect for me to get used to switching to IV, especially now NOT trying to hit a target at 90 degrees. It's why I'm studying up on angle recognition now (see sepparate thread).

Yes, the Americans did start experimenting with electric torpedoes in late 1943.

As for the 90 degree thing, one of the hardest points to recreate historically is the fact that US skippers WERE trained to shoot at exactly 90 degrees, and they had no idea that that was part of the problem. After Admiral Lockwood and then the Torpedo Test Facility ran tests by dropping them directly onto concrete test pads, they started designing a new impact pistol, but also advised sub skippers to not shoot at 90 degrees. The skippers had a real problem with that order, as it went against all their previous training.

So if you want to be realistic you'll have to force yourself to keep shooting at 90 degrees until the end of 1943. Good luck!:rotfl:

[OneTinSoldier]

This issue sounds like quite a quandary. I know I've been trained and ingrained by SHIII to fire as close to 90 degrees as I can when using impact pistols! :hmm:

[BellJack95]

I found an interesting article concerning US torpedoes. Below is a link to that article. The article recaps the different torpedoes and discusses all the problems that plagued the early commanders in the Pacific (1941 to late 1943). Of particular note I found two keys items:

1. The TDC device was designed for the Mark 14 and later model torpedoes and the TDC was only fitted in Fleet boats (the S class was too small for a TDC).

2. S boats only carried Mark 10 torpedoes (this type only used a contact exploder).

http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/torpedoes.html

So, perhaps when playing Silent Hunter 4 in a early campaign a person may have a easier time engaging and sinking the enemy by using the old S boats (using the old Mark 10 torpedo with a contact exploder), instead of a Fleet boat that has the TDC and defective Mark 14 torpedoes.