18-in Mark VII Torpedo (UK): Difference between revisions

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[[File:ARTS1909Plate2.jpg|thumb|600px|'''18-in R.G.F. Mark VII* Torpedo (bottom)'''{{ARTS1909|Plate 2}}]]
[[File:ARTS1909Plate2.jpg|thumb|600px|'''18-in R.G.F. Mark VII* Torpedo (bottom)'''{{ARTS1909|Plate 2}}]]
The '''18-in R.G.F. Mark VII Torpedo''' was a British torpedo developed at the [[Royal Gun Factory]] and first ordered for service in 1908 in its VII* variant.{{FC}}
The '''18-in R.G.F. Mark VII Torpedo''' was a British torpedo developed at the [[Royal Gun Factory]] and first ordered for service in 1908 in its VII* variant.{{FC}}
Unlike the [[18-in R.G.F. Mark VI Torpedo|Mark VI torpedoes]], there were heater torpedoes by nature, and so are never qualified by a "H.".


==Development and History==
==Development and History==


===Particulars===
==Particulars==
It was hoped that these might deliver more than 41 knots, but depth-keeping issues observed above 43 knots caused them to be rated at lower speed.{{ARTS1909|p. 12}}
Its overall length including 4.5-in long pistol was 17 feet, 7.4 inches (see Plate).{{ARTS1908|p. 18}}
Its overall length including 4.5-in long pistol was 17 feet, 7.4 inches (see Plate).{{ARTS1908|p. 18}}


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In its Mark VIII S.L. version, it achieved 29-31 knots to 5,500 yards and 40.5-41.5 to 3,00 yards.
The final design's characteristics are detailed in the ''Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1901''.{{ARTS1901|pp. 36-7}}
The construction was very similar in materials to the 14-in Mark IX torpedo.


* Diameter: 17.71 inches
* Length: 16 feet, 7.4 inches
* Weight with pistol, without air: 1,156 pounds
* Metacentric height: at least .575 inches
* C.G. distance from tip of shaft, no air: 114.175 inches
* C.G. distance from tip of shaft, 60 pounds air: 114.35 inches
* Warhead:  200 pounds wet guncotton
It carried a charge of 170 pounds, 15 ounces &ndash; the same as in the [[18-in R.G.F. Mark III Torpedo|Mark III torpedo]].
It had a Brotherhood engine of 3.25x3 inches.
Mean pitch of propellors was 40 inches.  When charged with air, the torpedo must pass through a gauge 9 inches long and 17.725 inches internal diameter.
With pistol and charged with 60 pounds of air was ballasted and adjusted to float horizontally and upright in salt water at a density of 1.026 and 60 degree temperature.  In fresh water, with pistol and no air, it had a buoyancy of 31 pounds.
The proof and passing tests were six runs when charged to 1,350 psi:
* two runs from a submerged frame at target 800 yards distant
* two runs from an A.W. tube at least four feet above the water at a target 400 yards away
* one run above water at target 800 yards away
* one run from submerged frame at target 800 yards away
The limits of deviation permitted were:
* lateral deviation from the submerged frame must be less than 12 yards either way throughout run
* from A.W. tube, lateral deviation of 8 yards at 400 yards or 24 yards at 600 yards
* deviation from set depth not to exceed +/- 18 inches
The speeds required were:
* not less than 30 knots to 600 yards and 29 knots to 800 yards in 60 degrees and warmer
* not less than 29.5 knots to 600 yards and 28.5 to 800 yards in 50-60 degrees
* at least 29 knots to 600 yards and 28 knots to 800 yards in water colder than 50 degrees
Endurance was tested in just one torpedo in a batch of twenty, after passing the above tests:
# make six short runs from above water gun 10 feet or more above water
# be fired from submerged frame and pass within 14 yards of target at 800 yards
# it must then "shew no signs of weakness or distortion"
-->
==Manufacture and Use==
==Manufacture and Use==
The raw Mark VII torpedo was first ordered in 1910-1911; oddly, this is after the Mark VII* and Mark VII** variants in 1908-1909.  More careful reading is required.
The raw Mark VII torpedo was first ordered in 1910-1911; oddly, this is after the Mark VII* and Mark VII** variants in 1908-1909.  More careful reading is required.
Line 53: Line 18:
==Mark VII*==
==Mark VII*==
Forty S.L. torpedoes were ordered in 1908-1909, but were somehow only reported the following year.{{ARTS1909|p. 7}}
Forty S.L. torpedoes were ordered in 1908-1909, but were somehow only reported the following year.{{ARTS1909|p. 7}}
These contained more fuel and water but less air than the raw Mark VII, yielding an increase in range, at least under the low speed setting: 29-31 knots to 6,500 yards and 40.5-41.5 over 3,000 yards.{{ARTS1909|pp. 11-2}}


==Mark VII**==
==Mark VII**==

Revision as of 22:13, 27 November 2012

18-in R.G.F. Mark VII Torpedo[1]
18-in R.G.F. Mark VII* Torpedo (bottom)[2]

The 18-in R.G.F. Mark VII Torpedo was a British torpedo developed at the Royal Gun Factory and first ordered for service in 1908 in its VII* variant.[Fact Check]

Unlike the Mark VI torpedoes, there were heater torpedoes by nature, and so are never qualified by a "H.".

Development and History

Particulars

It was hoped that these might deliver more than 41 knots, but depth-keeping issues observed above 43 knots caused them to be rated at lower speed.[3] Its overall length including 4.5-in long pistol was 17 feet, 7.4 inches (see Plate).[4]

In its Mark VIII S.L. version, it achieved 29-31 knots to 5,500 yards and 40.5-41.5 to 3,00 yards.

Manufacture and Use

The raw Mark VII torpedo was first ordered in 1910-1911; oddly, this is after the Mark VII* and Mark VII** variants in 1908-1909. More careful reading is required.

Mark VII*

Forty S.L. torpedoes were ordered in 1908-1909, but were somehow only reported the following year.[5]

These contained more fuel and water but less air than the raw Mark VII, yielding an increase in range, at least under the low speed setting: 29-31 knots to 6,500 yards and 40.5-41.5 over 3,000 yards.[6]

Mark VII**

Some 53 Hook Bracket and 143 Side Lug specimens were ordered or given heaters in 1908-1909 – the source needs to be read more carefully.[Citation needed]

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. Plate 12.
  2. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. Plate 2.
  3. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 12.
  4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1908. p. 18.
  5. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. p. 7.
  6. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. pp. 11-2.

Bibliography

See Also