18-in Light Pattern A.W. Torpedo Tube (UK)

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18-in Light Pattern Tubes[1]

The 18-in Light Pattern Above-Water Tube was a single revolving tube created in around 1909 and used by contemporary destroyers and scouts, such as the Cricket class T.B.s..[2]

It abolished the shield and carriage, had no training gear, allowing a light roller path to replace the racer. Its tube was in 2 rather than 3 sections (lengthwise), to eliminate one heavy flange. It employed a chopper door.[3]

A variant was used by Swift with the pivot three feet to the rear, to permit the torpedo to clear the gunwales on a ship with such ample beam. As this put the tube out of balance, the training gear had to be fitted on Swift.[4]

Its lip was 5 feet 6 inches long, and its rear part 13 feet long. The tripper was 5 feet, 8.625 inches from the rear door. A powder cartridge supplied the impulse.[5]

It weighed 2,184 pounds in initial installations, but Swift's weighed 2,390.[6]

Footnotes

  1. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. Plate36.
  2. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. pp. 233.
  3. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. p. 229.
  4. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. p. 230.
  5. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. p. 232.
  6. Torpedo Manual, Vol. III, 1909. pp. 233.

See Also