Make Your Own Torpedo

[M8owner]

What do you do when you cannot find a torpedo to buy? You make one. This is 6 inches (150mm) in diameter and over 5 feet (1.5 meters in length). I have the contra rotating shafts and propellers worked out. I bought 4 inch diameter or 100mm brass model boat propellers with opposite pitch. I am still working out the issues on the gear box, electric motor, controls and batteries. I will also need to find a speed boat and design a launch tube. I will be conducting sealing and buoyancy tests in the local pool this week.

 

[HAZORD]

Whatever sinks your boat. That tail section looks like its built like a brick phonebooth! You should chamfer the leading edge.

 

[bacarnal]

That's for when you run into feral pigs swimming in your lake:wink:.

 

[apfsds]

SUPER IMPRESSED, with your fabrication skills in so many mediums and the initiative to start this cool project. Can't wait to see how it develops. Just awesome!

Jason

 

[Dronic69]

I wish I also had your fabrication skills (and machinery!).........................
Guess I will have to wait until a "real" one pops up :tinysmile_cry_t2:

Having stated that, I have over the years stumble across sites selling the real McCoys - In the UK there was /is a scrap metal yard which had a couple of Russian torpedoes for sale several years back. Another UK based organisation had a number of early Whitehead torpedo motors (4-cylinder /3-cylinder Brotherhoods) plus a number of MKVIIIs for sale.

Also here downunder, one Mk VIII practice was sold when the Cowra War Museum closed about 2 years ago and got wind of another MkVIII in an interstate garage.

They are around - however too big to hid under the bed "out of sight" from the OTMBO!!!!

(I can sneak in and hid the fuzes ! LOL)

CHeers
Drew

 

[M8owner]

I must note that this journey will not be inexpensive. I estimate that materials alone will run me $1000. Perhaps, in volume production, I might be able to sell them for $1000 each. I need to find rich yacht owners who want to equip their vessels with weaponry. Perhaps, the US or other Navies need high speed, inexpensive drones?

 

[Charlie]

I can just see it on BOCN in 50 years time "ID please... WTF is this i've just bought" lol

 

[M8owner]

It passed the sealing test. It did not take on a drop of water, and it has buoyancy to spare, but it is tail heavy. Now to design and build a gearbox. Then I will need a motor and batteries. Next up - speed trials.

 

[M8owner]

I will also add that I am the cool guy at the pool now - more of an enhanced stature than a change, really. Also, the ladies water aerobics group seems much more interested in me now that they know the size of my torpedo.

 

[Slick]

Um, well, um. . .

 

[Dronic69]

I will also add that I am the cool guy at the pool now - more of an enhanced stature than a change, really. Also, the ladies water aerobics group seems much more interested in me now that they know the size of my torpedo.

This may assist with the propulsion system:

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mechani...-propulsion-fall-2006/lecture-notes/26aip.pdf

:tinysmile_twink_t:

 

[M8owner]

I have not been able to work on this for over a year, but I am making good progress now. I will be doing propulsion trials soon. The propellers are contrarotating.

 

[apfsds]

Truly, "Blown Away!" Incredible progress Major skills


Jason

 

[pzgr40]

Wow, looks great :rock:

 

[M8owner]

It is now ready for speed trials in the pool. I tested it in a two foot deep plastic tub for five minutes with no leaks. The motors do get hot, so a cooling system will be necessary for longer run times. It makes quite a portable industrial blender. You twist the nose to turn it on. It uses two 12 volt wheelchair batteries.

 

[apfsds]

Blown Away! Pun Intended! Your machining and engineering skills are off the charts. This is incredible!

Jason

 

[M8owner]

The pool test was not a complete failure; I learned something. It is too heavy and sank to the bottom. I will have to remove weight and try again.