| T
I (G7a) |
The prewar issue
torpedo T I was propulsed by a steam engine (compressed air). It was quite reliable and
could make up to 12.5 kilometers.
Anyway this torpedo type left a stream of bubbles after it, because of its
propulsion, giving the targeted ship a chance to see it coming their way. Therefore the T
I was to be used at night.
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
1538 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Compressed air |
| Range & Speed: |
14 km at 30 kts,
8.0 km at 40 kts,
6.0 km at 44 kts |
| Warhead: |
380 kg |
|
| T
II (G7e) |
The standard issue
German torpedo of wwII.
This all battery powered torpedo type left no trails on the surface and was suitable for
attacks in daylight. A great improvement!
However the electric torpedo could not make as good range as the steam powered one
and it demanded maintanence every three or
four days.
Before the Norwegian campaign the T II had problems with its depth keeping device
and its firing pistol.
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
1608 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
6.0 km at 30 kts |
| Warhead: |
500 kg |
|
| T
III (G7e) |
T III was "the
same" as the T II but T III was fitted with an
influence fuse.
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
1608 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
5.0 km at 30 kts |
| Warhead: |
280 kg (?) |
|
| T
IIIa FAT (G7e) |
The FAT
(Flächenabsuchender torped = area searching torpedo) was a pattern running torpedo made
especially for convoy attacks.
The torpedo was pre set to run in a zig zag pattern! First it went straight, turned
over to left or wright and proceeded for 800 or 1600 meters making the next turn opposite.
A lethal weapon used inside a convoy!
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
? |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
7,5 km at 30 kts |
| Warhead: |
274 kg (280 kg ?) |
|
| T
IIIb (G7a) |
Made for the midget
sub "Marder".
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
1352 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
? km at 18,5 kts |
| Warhead: |
280 kg (?) |
|
| T
IIIc (G7a) |
Made for the midget
sub "Seehund".
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
1352 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
? km at 18,5 kts |
| Warhead: |
280 kg (?) |
|
| T
IIId (G7e) |
This torpedo was also
named "Dackel".
Made for special operations.
| Length: |
11,00 m |
| Weight: |
circa 2200 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
? km at 9 kts |
| Warhead: |
280 kg (?) |
|
| T
IV (G7es) |
Also known as the
"Falke". This type was the first homing torpedo as It was fitted with a passive
acoustic homing device and made to be launched against escort vessels. Its slow speed and
the fact that it had no magnetic datonator made it to be a small help in the warfare.
A very small number of the T IV were used, as the next generation of this type was
at hand.
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
circa 1400 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
7,5 km at 20 kts |
| Warhead: |
274 kg (?) |
|
| T
V (G7es) |
Also known as
"Zaunkönig 1".
This torpedo type was (as the "Falke") an acoustic homing torpedo to be
searching for the propeller noise of the target (actually searching for the largest noise
in the area). The development for creating accurate homing torpedoes had started as early
as in the mid 30s but made slow progress.
The T V was an improved version of the acoustic torpedo. It was faster and had both
a magnetic and a contact detonator.
The Zaunkonig had even better detection equipment with better sensitivity locating
the propeller sounds. But this torpedo also had its weak points. In hard weather
conditions it was detonating to early as well as it could detonate far behind or beyond a
ship.The allied forces soon found out that the
active range of its detection gear was only sensitive to ships sailing at about 15 knots!
Skippers got to know that if they either lowered the speed or went faster than 14-16 knots
the torpedo would get serious problems spotting them. They also developed anti
"GNAT" (as the allies called the torpedo) devices dragged after an escort vessel
making a loud noice to attract possible homing torpedoes in the area.
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
circa 1495 kg |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
5,7 km at 24 kts |
| Warhead: |
274 kg (?) |
|
| T
XI |
Improved version of
the T V as an answer to the allied anti homing devices. Although never used in combat.
| Length: |
7,163 m |
| Weight: |
1495 kg (?) |
| Propulsion: |
Electric motor |
| Range & Speed: |
5,7 km at 24 kts |
| Warhead: |
274 kg (?) |
|
