Torpedoes

[ROLAND1369]

From the camo scheme I would say either 1 German, 2 Italian, or 3 Sweden. I have seen the paint scheme of the practice warheads used on german aerial torpedos. I would say based one the camo we can rule out the US.

[Natter]

Any idea about these torpedoes ??

German G7a(TI) torpedoes with (older) type 1210 exersice heads (there's no such thing as a practice warhead...). Most likely a transport, not recovery, due to the high number of torpedoes.

[ROLAND1369]

In US military terms we call them practice warheads, since i usually write in English that was the term I used. The number of torpedos does not preclude or confirm a torpedo recovery vessle they recover more than one at a time. If in transport why are they not protected from the weather. Contrary to popular belief torpedos are relativly delicate ordnance. During shipping they are usually covered by tarps and heavily greased.

[Sturm78]

Natter wrote
German G7a(TI) torpedoes with (older) type 1210 exersice heads (there's no such thing as a practice warhead...). Most likely a transport, not recovery, due to the high number of torpedoes.

Thank you fo your help, Natter

ROLAND1369
From the camo scheme I would say either 1 German, 2 Italian, or 3 Sweden. I have seen the paint scheme of the practice warheads used on german aerial torpedos. I would say based one the camo we can rule out the US.

Thank you for your answer, ROLAND1369

Regards Sturm78

[Natter]

In US military terms we call them practice warheads, since i usually write in English that was the term I used.

Obviously, I'm not familiar with US Navy terms, so that's noted (although most english litterature I have on the subject - both UK and US - uses the term "exersicehead"). Anyway, as we're dealing with german WW2 torpedoes, the correct term would be "Übungskopf" (versus "Gefechtskopf").

The number of torpedos does not preclude or confirm a torpedo recovery vessle they recover more than one at a time.

Yes, in theory (hence my use of "most likely").
The high number of torpedoes would indicate a massive exersice with many ships though, or range-activity (the latter would certainly not utilize such a large vessel - most german recoveryvessels were in fact smaller boats. Also, larger surfacevessels usually did theyr own recovery).

If in transport why are they not protected from the weather. Contrary to popular belief torpedos are relativly delicate ordnance. During shipping they are usually covered by tarps and heavily greased.

Well, it's obvious from the photo (ie the background, the empty top rack and lack of lashings), that the ship is docked and in the process of being loaded/unloaded...

Wether the torpedoes have recently been used for an exersice is hard to tell from the photo (although they haven't been launched from a surface tube for sure, as they are too clean).
I can't see any signs of either "Hängewarze" (use from surfacevessel) or "Haltebolzenwiderlager" (use from submarine) being fitted to the torpedoes, which also is an indicator for this being torpedoes under transport (for example as part of a normal maintenance-rotation between torpedoarsenals/-kommandos).

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

An image from Ebay.

Sturm78

[Natter]

An image from Ebay.

Outside my main area of interest/knowledge (which is german torpedoes), but I'm pretty sure it's british - probably a Mk VIII.

[Sturm78]

Natter wrote
Outside my main area of interest/knowledge (which is german torpedoes), but I'm pretty sure it's british - probably a Mk VIII.

Thank you, Natter

Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

An image from Ebay

Sturm78

[Natter]

A G7a(TI) fired from a Drilling- or Vierlingrohrsatz on a german surface vessel.
Hard to tell for sure, but the exersicehead could be an early type 1210. The torpedo has been equipped with a modified depth-mechanism though (ie post "Torpedokrise"), so the photo is probably taken after 1941.

[Sturm78]

Thanks,for your information, Natter

Sturm78

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

An image from Ebay. Any idea about the torpedo ??

Sturm78

[Natter]

An image from Ebay. Any idea about the torpedo ??

Another german G7a(TI). It has 4-blade propellers, ie an early variant, but again with the improved depth-mechanism TA II ("Tiefen-apparat II").

No sign of a "hängewarze" for surfacetubes, but I think I can barely see the top of a "haltebolzenwiderlager" for submarinetubes.
Being fitted with a warhead and having a very "clean" exterior, it seems it's being loaded on to a submarine.

[Sturm78]

Thanks a lot for your answer, Natter...

Regards Sturm768

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

An image from Ebay:

Sturm78