topedo-E7-1

The various types of the German torpedoes

T1 - (G7a)
Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length : 7.163m
Weight : 1538 kg
Propulsion : Thermic energy
Power : 350 hp
Range & Speed : 44 knots to 5,000m / 40 knots to 7,500m / 30 knots to 12,500m
Warhead :
280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing Fat or LUT
Description : The prewar issue torpedo T I was propelled 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 of seeing it coming. Therefore the T I was to be used at night.
T1 - (G7ut K. But Type)
Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length : 7.163m
Weight : 1309 kg
Propulsion : Walteer Turbine
Power : 425 hp
Range & Speed : 45 knots to 2,800m
Warhead :
280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing
Description :
T1 - (G7a Type)
Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length : 7.163m
Weight : 1352 kg
Propulsion : Thermic energy
Power : 280 hp
Range & Speed : 34 knots to 2,500m
Warhead :
280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing
Description :
T2 - (G7e)

Diameter :
53.34 cm
Length: 7.163 m
Weight: 1608 kg
Propulsion: Electric motor
Power : 100 hp
Range & Speed: 30 knots at 5,000m
Warhead :
280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing
Description :
The standard issue German torpedo of W.W.II. 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 ones and it had to be looked after, getting serviced, every three or four days. Before the Norwegian campaign the T II had problems with its depth keeping equipment as well as with its firing pistol.
T3 - (G7e)
Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length :
7.163 m
Weight : 1608 kg
Propulsion : All electric propulsion system
Power : 100 hp
Range & Speed : 30 knots at 5,000m
Warhead : 280 kg
(TNT - Trinitrotoluene)
(HND - hexanitrophenylamine)
Guidance system : Direct firing or Fat
Description : T III was "the same" as the T II though it was fitted with an influence fuse!
T3a - FAT (G7e)
Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:
7.163 m
?
Electric motor
7.5 km at 30 kts
274 kg (280 kg ?)

The FAT (Flachenabsuchender 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 right and proceeded for 800 or 1600 meters making the next turn opposite.
A lethal weapon getting inside a convoy.
T3b - (G7a)
Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:
7.163 m
1352 kg
Electric motor
? km at 18.5 kts
280 kg

Made for the midget sub "Marder".
T3c - (G7a)
Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:
7.163 m
1352 kg
Electric motor
? km at 18.5 kts
280 kg

Made for the midget sub "Seehund".
T3d - (G7e)
Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:
11.0 m
2200 kg
Electric motor
? km at 9 kts
280 kg

This torpedo was also named "Dackel".
Made for special operations.
T4 - (G7es)
Falke
Diameter :
53.34 cm
Length:
7.163 m
Weight:
1400 kg (approx.)
Propulsion:
Electric motor
Power :
32 hp
Range & Speed:
7.5 km at 20 kts
Warhead:
274 kg (280 kg ?)
Guidance system :
Acoustical self-guidance
Description :


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 detonator made it to be a small help in the warfare.A very small number of the T IV were used, when
the next generation of this type was at hand.
T5 - (G7es)
Zaunkönig type
Diameter :
53.34 cm
Length:
7.163 m
Weight:
1495 kg (approx.)
Propulsion:
Electric motor
Power :
55 hp
Range & Speed:
5.7 km at 24 kts
Warhead:
274 kg
Guidance system :
Acoustical self-guidance
Description :
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 noise to attract possible homing torpedoes in the area.
T8 - G7ut
Steinbutt Type
Diameter :
53.34 cm
Length: 7.163 m
Weight: 1730 kg
Propulsion:
Walteer turbine
Power :
430 hp
Range & Speed:
8 km at 45 kts
Warhead:
280 kg