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Question for those in the know...recently I realized i didnt know how torpedos were launched. That is I know its done with a high pressure impulse. I know that. The thing is i began wondering what happens to the air once the torpedo is launched. Watching movies and seeing the torpedos fired there is never an air buble from the tubes which is good. So is the air recycled and what is the actual mechanism that pushes the torpedo out? From reading actual non fiction stories it seems the crew experinces the increased pressure in the boat. Anyway i dont know i hope i put this question in the proper area of the forum
Hey John........
This will probably help you out.
Just click on the script below and you're on-your-way...... new window.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAO2BYZdfE4
There's also a trim tank that floods enough water to offset the weight of the torpedo leaving the sub, as well.
It's a complicated dance.
CapnMac82 There's also a trim tank that floods enough water to offset the weight of the torpedo leaving the sub, as well. It's a complicated dance.
True, but when you see it in a motion picture it looks so simple (especially the older movies).
Ok i found out how it works. Its high pressure water. After the torpedo tube is filled with water a high pressure burst of air is focused to the rear of the tube. Ejecting the torpedo. And the air is recycled back into the boat. Its a little more complicated than that but thats it in a nutshell. If the link wont work do a search for crawling down a torpedo tube...
https://youtu.be/UYEyhB0AGlw?si=qY30Zb3dYKjKUd1c
disastermasterTrue, but when you see it in a motion picture it looks so simple (especially the older movies).
Most things subject to "movie magic" are like that :)
Like the guy driving the truck who follows the tank to keep it fueled up. Or the other truch with ammo and chow for the tank crew.
Nor that those guys have to be in at least one "lift" of an amphibious operation (if not 5/6 of same).
Minor details like most ships have a finite number of depth charges-perhaps 6-7 per launcher. And that trying to RTB with empty racks can be an "iffy" sort of thing to do (much like shooting your torpedo tubes empty).
Including "how the sausage is made" does not often inform the drama in a story so very well. And, requires some intimate knowledge by the writers. (Though, that knowledge can help a story, see the movies of LCDR "Spig" Weaver, ro the adapation of Capt Beach's novels.)
I have read beaches books Run Silent run deep sadly the characters rolls got reversed in the film but overall an excellent movie.
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