| Cuchulainn | 01 Apr 2014 4:45 a.m. PST |
The title says it all really. When a torpedo is launched from a surface vessel or shore installation, is there a flash or any other giveaway sign that could be spotted by the enemy, especially at night? |
 Virtualscratchbuilder   | 01 Apr 2014 5:08 a.m. PST |
I believe they were fired by compressed air, so no flash. just a big "PSSSHT… SPLASH…. PSSSSHT… SPLASH". YouTube link |
| Allen57 | 01 Apr 2014 5:30 a.m. PST |
Yes, compressed air in the systems I know of. |
| Coelacanth | 01 Apr 2014 5:32 a.m. PST |
21-INCH ABOVE WATER TORPEDO TUBES MARK 14 AND MODS AND MARK 15 AND MODS, OP 764, 16 Nov 1955 The firing or launching of torpedoes is accomplished individually by the ignition of a charge of black powder, and the operating mechanisms within each torpedo are started in motion by means of a tripping latch when the torpedo leaves the barrel. This comes as a bit of a surprise, as I thought deck launchers aboard surface vessels would have used steam for launching impulse. Ron P.S. This is a USN document, other navies might well do it differently. |
| Tachikoma | 01 Apr 2014 5:59 a.m. PST |
They were not supposed to, but an accumulation of grease or oil on the weapon could be ignited during launch, causing a visible flash. I've read accounts by USN PT boat veterans were they discuss the problem. |
| bsrlee | 01 Apr 2014 6:12 a.m. PST |
The RN used cordite to provide gas pressure to launch torpedoes from ships, so again, depending on the mount there could be a flash on launch. Not sure about the IJN. |
| M C MonkeyDew | 01 Apr 2014 6:48 a.m. PST |
I also recall reading about a slight flash when launching from US and IJN ships. Not so much that you would notice in daylight and perhaps not so much at night either but then again depending on conditions any light at night can be very noticeable. |
| Allen57 | 01 Apr 2014 10:03 a.m. PST |
I stand corrected though I could swear that I read that they used compressed air. |
| Feet up now | 01 Apr 2014 10:54 a.m. PST |
On this day every year there is an elderly gentleman that flashes his torpedo in the local park to any passing wench. |
| Ron W DuBray | 01 Apr 2014 10:57 a.m. PST |
I found this: Another problem that revealed itself in combat was the method of launching the weapon. The Mark XVIII torpedo tubes developed for the Elco PT's utilized a black powder impulse charge to eject the torpedo, but in the humid climate of the South Pacific, the powder would occasionally misfire, 21-INCH ABOVE WATER TORPEDO TUBES MARK 14 AND MODS AND MARK 15 AND MODS, OP 764, 16 Nov 1955. Describes the destroyer, deck mounted torpedo tube of WW II.
link |
| Cuchulainn | 01 Apr 2014 1:28 p.m. PST |
I was 90% certain they used compressed air too. That's a really interesting link you posted Ron, I really appreciate you taking the time to find it for all of us. So now that I've been proved to be so totally wrong with above surface TT's, could someone let me know if I'm right when I say submarines do use compressed air to launch a torpedo? |
| dragon6 | 01 Apr 2014 2:47 p.m. PST |
Yes submarines use compressed air |
| Ron W DuBray | 01 Apr 2014 4:41 p.m. PST |
your welcome I was sure they used about the same gun powder system they used in the 1980s but I need to go find some backup to that knowledge. :) |
| marcus arilius | 01 Apr 2014 9:38 p.m. PST |
|
| Lion in the Stars | 05 Apr 2014 12:25 p.m. PST |
I say submarines do use compressed air to launch a torpedo? Still do, though we don't put compressed air directly into the torpedo tube any more. That leaves a big air bubble coming up. Instead, we have an air-driven pump to apply water pressure to spit the torp out. Pretty impressive force involved, too, since you're talking about 0-50 knots in ~30 feet. The air is bled back inside the sub, and we compress it for use again. As big as modern subs are (7000+tons), it doesn't particularly raise the air pressure inside the sub. |
