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Torpedo parts : US or British or German ??
- Thread starter ckoala
- Start date
think its more like parts of a ship than torpedo,,,,,,, Dave
The "out of focus" photos of the torpedo engine provides some clues.......... as it appears to be of a Brotherhood 4-cylinder radial air engine with heater type (B4H).
These were introduced as early as 1905 through to the end of WW1 (Spot on APFSDS) and mainly produced /used by both Whitehead and the British RGF (Royal Gun Factory).
There were a number of Whitehead torpedoes which used the B4H, however if you examine closely the radial engine - there are 2 x hole mounting brackets on each of the engine's radial arms (see photo /diagram below)
The only referenced Whitehead models that used this type of B4H engines were: (Fiume 18")
A68/450 (1905)
A90/450 (1906)
A95/450 (1907)
Where:
A=steel;
68 /90/95 = charge weight in Kg
450 is the torpedo Diameter in mm (~18")
Bear in mind that Whitehead had an arrangement with the British RGF where technology and torpedo enhancements were interchanged on a regular basis - hence there may have been some of the RCF torpedoes which used the exact same B4H engine. However, according to my records, the RGF first introduced the B4H around 1909 with the RGF 18" Mk VII torpedo and therefore potentially by-passed the early B4H version as stated above (ie latest was 1907)
As to which specific country? Well the Whitehead was the most dominant torpedo at the turn of the century and exported to / manufactured under licence by numerous countries. (The diagram of the B4H was extracted from an Italian manual).
Cheers
Drew
These were introduced as early as 1905 through to the end of WW1 (Spot on APFSDS) and mainly produced /used by both Whitehead and the British RGF (Royal Gun Factory).
There were a number of Whitehead torpedoes which used the B4H, however if you examine closely the radial engine - there are 2 x hole mounting brackets on each of the engine's radial arms (see photo /diagram below)
The only referenced Whitehead models that used this type of B4H engines were: (Fiume 18")
A68/450 (1905)
A90/450 (1906)
A95/450 (1907)
Where:
A=steel;
68 /90/95 = charge weight in Kg
450 is the torpedo Diameter in mm (~18")
Bear in mind that Whitehead had an arrangement with the British RGF where technology and torpedo enhancements were interchanged on a regular basis - hence there may have been some of the RCF torpedoes which used the exact same B4H engine. However, according to my records, the RGF first introduced the B4H around 1909 with the RGF 18" Mk VII torpedo and therefore potentially by-passed the early B4H version as stated above (ie latest was 1907)
As to which specific country? Well the Whitehead was the most dominant torpedo at the turn of the century and exported to / manufactured under licence by numerous countries. (The diagram of the B4H was extracted from an Italian manual).
Cheers
Drew
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Final thoughts...........................
After further investigating it appears that the B4H engine with the 2 x hole brackets were used in the following 18" Whitehead torpedo types in addition to the above stated ones:
1) A90 /450 (1910)
2) A95 /450 (19100
3) A100/450 x 5,203m & 4,83m (1914)
4) A100/450 x 5,25m (1914)
5) A110/450 x 5,28 (1913)
6) A115/450 x 5,237 (1913)
However the torpedoes that had the large characteristic diameter circular hydro-static diving regulator valve opening were limited to only :
A68/450 (1905)
A90/450 (1906)
A95/450 (1907)
A90/450 (1910)
A95/450 (1910)
A100/450 x 5,203 & 4,83 (1914)
The twin propeller section also seems to "fit", although generic to all Whitehead torpedoes of that period.
Cheers
Drew
After further investigating it appears that the B4H engine with the 2 x hole brackets were used in the following 18" Whitehead torpedo types in addition to the above stated ones:
1) A90 /450 (1910)
2) A95 /450 (19100
3) A100/450 x 5,203m & 4,83m (1914)
4) A100/450 x 5,25m (1914)
5) A110/450 x 5,28 (1913)
6) A115/450 x 5,237 (1913)
However the torpedoes that had the large characteristic diameter circular hydro-static diving regulator valve opening were limited to only :
A68/450 (1905)
A90/450 (1906)
A95/450 (1907)
A90/450 (1910)
A95/450 (1910)
A100/450 x 5,203 & 4,83 (1914)
The twin propeller section also seems to "fit", although generic to all Whitehead torpedoes of that period.
Cheers
Drew
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Thanks Jason - I always enjoy a great torpedo mystery!!!! (LOL)
There has been a couple recently - a diver found a German Ka torpedo warhead under a wharf in Malta in 5m of water - seems it was either dropped or dumped as it was still in the original disintegrated steel shipping container. Reported and recovered by the local EOD and deactivated.
I'll post more about this later if permitted.
Cheers
Drew
There has been a couple recently - a diver found a German Ka torpedo warhead under a wharf in Malta in 5m of water - seems it was either dropped or dumped as it was still in the original disintegrated steel shipping container. Reported and recovered by the local EOD and deactivated.
I'll post more about this later if permitted.
Cheers
Drew
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