*** Welcome to piglix ***

British 21 inch torpedo

21 inch Mark II
Type heavy torpedo
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
In service c. 1914- Second World War
Used by RN
Wars First World War, Second World War
Production history
Designed c. 1910
Specifications
Diameter 21 inch

Warhead TNT
Warhead weight 400-515 lb

Engine wet heater
Operational
range
8,000 yards max depending on model
Speed 29 to 35 knots
21 inch Mark IV
Type torpedo
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
In service c. 1916-
Production history
Designed c. 1912
Specifications
Weight 3,206 lb (1,454 kg)
Length 22 ft 7.5 in (6.896 m)
Diameter 21 inch (533 mm)

Warhead TNT
Warhead weight 515 lb (234 kg)

Engine Burner cycle
Operational
range
8,000 - 13,500 yards
Speed 25 - 35 knots
21 inch Mark V
Type torpedo
Place of origin United Kingdom
Production history
Designed 1917
Specifications
Length 7.1 m (23 ft 4 in)
Diameter 21 inch

Engine wet heater
Operational
range
4.6 km (5,000 yd) to 12.4 km (13,600 yd)
Speed 40 knots (74 km/h) to 25 knots (46 km/h)
21 inch Mark VII
Type heavy torpedo
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
In service Second World War
Used by RN
Production history
Designed 1920s
Specifications
Length 25 ft 6 in (7.77 m)
Diameter 21 inch

Warhead TNT
Warhead weight 740 lb (336 kg)

Engine oxygen enriched air
Operational
range
5,700 yards (5,200 m)
Speed 35 knots
21 inch Mark 20
Type torpedo
Place of origin United Kingdom
Service history
In service 1955-1980s
Production history
Designed c. 1950
Specifications
Weight 1,810 lb (821 kg)
Length 6.46 m
Diameter 21 inches

Warhead weight 196 lb (89 kg)

Engine electric
Propellant battery
Operational
range
12,000 yards (11,000 m)
Speed 20 knots
Guidance
system
passive sonar

There have been several British 21-inch (533 mm) diameter torpedoes used by the Royal Navy since their first development just before the First World War.

The 21-inch was the largest size of torpedo in common use in the RN. They were used by surface ships and submarines rather than aircraft which used smaller 18 inch torpedoes.

The first British 21 inch torpedo came in two lengths "Short" at 17 ft 10.5 in (5.45 m), and "Long" at 23 ft 1.25 in (7.04 m). The explosive charge was 200 lb of gun cotton increased later to 225 lb.

The Mark II, chiefly used by destroyers, entered service in 1914. Apart from some older British ships, it was used with the old US (destroyers for bases agreement) Town-class destroyers provided to the UK during the early part of the Second World War. The running speed was reduced from 45 knots (over 3,000 yards) for better reliability.

The Mark II*, an improved Mark II was used by battleships and battlecruisers. A wet heater design, it could run for 4.1 km (4,500 yd) at 45 knots (83 km/h)

From 1912, used by destroyers and other surface ships and was an important weapon in the first World War. In the Second World War they were carried on HMS Hood.

The Mark V was used by the A and B-class destroyers and, with modification, by the Kent-class heavy cruisers.

The Mark VII was issued for use on the British heavy cruisers; i.e. cruisers with 8-inch guns. Designed in the mid-1920s the County-class cruisers were built at the same time in the post Washington Naval Treaty period.

The power came from the use of oxygen enriched air, though torpedo stocks were converted to run on normal air at the start of the Second World War.

Specifications:

Mark VIII


...
Wikipedia

...