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G7e Electric Torpedoes and variants Introduction and Specifications
G7 series torpedoGerman torpedo nomenclature can be extremely confusing. There were, however, only two principal types of torpedo used on U-boats, but with several variants in detonating devices (the pistol) and in directional control. These two principal types were in fact developments of torpedoes used in World War I, the G7a and the G7e. By World War II, torpedo sizes had been standardized at 54cm (21 in) so that all torpedoes, whether launched from surface ships or U-boats, were of the same diameter. The standard length was 7.16m and some 280 kg of explosive was contained in the warhead.

U-Boat drew most of their destructive potential from torpedoes, self-propelled explosive devices which, because of their configuration, may be likened to reduced-size submarines. Initially, torpedoes were propelled by compressed air but, as these left a tell-tale wake, often warned the enemy who had time to take evasive action. Between the wars, research and development boosted the performance of torpedoes, although without always improving their reliability. This introduction of electric motors enhanced tactical versatility by almost eliminating the bubble track, but there were still numerous malfunctions, notably from the temperamental magnetic-effect exploders intended to replace contact pistols. Another was wrong depth keeping which caused the torpedo to run under its target and on until its power supply was exhausted.
G7 series torpedo in 3D The warhead of the torpedo was primed by a small device fitted with a propeller which, after launching and covering some of the run to its target, would complete enough rotations to release the bolt which kept the priming striker away from the exploder. At the beginning of 1942, a new, improved magnetic proximity fuse was ready for operational use with a specially developed electrically propelled torpedo which exploded as it entered a ship's magnetic field, blasting a huge gap under the keel .

On 1st September 1939, Kriegsmarine submarines were issued with two types of torpedoes. electrically powered, the first type had a top speed of 30 knots and left no wake. The second type was faster and had a superior range but, as it was propelled by compressed air, was often spotted and easily dodged by Allied ships because of its bubble trail. Their effective range was 6,000m at 44 knots, 10,000m at 40 knots and 20,000m at 30 knots. G7 series torpedo

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Unloading a torpedo from a Type VII-B submarine

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A G7 torpedo was being loaded into the front room of U-94 submarine

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A Type XI-B being unload

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The above photos was extracted from the U-BOOT by Jean-Philippe, Dallies-Labourdette

G7e Torpedo


- beware, large files size
Courtesy from : Anatomy of the Ship, Type Type VII U-Boat, David Westwood, ISBN : 1-59114-86-3

G7a Torpedo

G7a Torpedo
- beware, large files size
Courtesy from : Anatomy of the Ship, Type Type VII U-Boat, David Westwood, ISBN : 1-59114-86-3

 

The various types of the German torpedoes working on it

T1 - (G7a)

Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length : 7.163m
Weight : 1538 kg
Propulsion : Thermic energy
Power : 350 hp
Range & Speed : 44 knots to 5,000m / 40 knots to 7,500m / 30 knots to 12,500m

Warhead :

280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing Fat or LUT
Description : The prewar issue torpedo T I was propelled by a steam engine (Compressed air). It was quite reliable and could make up to 12.5 kilometers. Anyway this torpedo type left a stream of bubbles after it, because of its propulsion, giving the targeted ship a chance of seeing it coming. Therefore the T I was to be used at night.

T1 - (G7ut K. But Type)

Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length : 7.163m
Weight : 1309 kg
Propulsion : Walteer Turbine
Power : 425 hp
Range & Speed : 45 knots to 2,800m

Warhead :

280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing
Description :  

T1 - (G7a Type)

Diameter : 53.34 cm
Length : 7.163m
Weight : 1352 kg
Propulsion : Thermic energy
Power : 280 hp
Range & Speed : 34 knots to 2,500m

Warhead :

280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing
Description :  

T2 - (G7e)
G7e torpedoes right side view

Diameter :

53.34 cm
Length: 7.163 m
Weight: 1608 kg
Propulsion: Electric motor
Power : 100 hp
Range & Speed: 30 knots at 5,000m 

Warhead :

280 kg
Guidance system : Direct firing

Description :

The standard issue German torpedo of W.W.II. This all battery powered torpedo type left no trails on the surface and was suitable for attacks in daylight. A great improvement!
However the electric torpedo could not make as good range as the steam powered ones and it had to be looked after, getting serviced, every three or four days. Before the Norwegian campaign the T II had problems with its depth keeping equipment as well as with its firing pistol.

T3 - (G7e)

Diameter : 53.34 cm

Length :

7.163 m
Weight : 1608 kg
Propulsion : All electric propulsion system
Power : 100 hp
Range & Speed : 30 knots at 5,000m 
Warhead : 280 kg 
(TNT - Trinitrotoluene)
(HND - hexanitrophenylamine)
Guidance system : Direct firing or Fat
Description : T III was "the same" as the T II though it was fitted with an influence fuse!

T3a - FAT (G7e)

Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:

7.163 m
?
Electric motor
7.5 km at 30 kts
274 kg (280 kg ?)

The FAT (Flachenabsuchender torped = area searching torpedo) was a pattern running torpedo made especially for convoy attacks. The torpedo was pre set to run in a zig zag pattern! First it went straight, turned over to left or right and proceeded for 800 or 1600 meters making the next turn opposite.
A lethal weapon getting inside a convoy.

T3b - (G7a)

Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:

7.163 m
1352 kg
Electric motor
? km at 18.5 kts
280 kg

Made for the midget sub "Marder".

T3c - (G7a)

Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:

7.163 m
1352 kg
Electric motor
? km at 18.5 kts
280 kg

Made for the midget sub "Seehund".

T3d - (G7e)

Length:
Weight:
Propulsion:
Range & Speed:
Warhead:

11.0 m
2200 kg
Electric motor
? km at 9 kts
280 kg

This torpedo was also named "Dackel".
Made for special operations.

T4 - (G7es)
Falke

Diameter :

53.34 cm

Length:

7.163 m

Weight:

1400 kg (approx.)

Propulsion:

Electric motor

Power :

32 hp

Range & Speed:

7.5 km at 20 kts

Warhead:

274 kg (280 kg ?)

Guidance system :

Acoustical self-guidance

Description :

 

Also known as the "Falke" this type was the first homing torpedo as It was fitted with a passive acoustic homing device and made to be launched against escort vessels. Its slow speed and the fact that it had no magnetic detonator made it to be a small help in the warfare.A very small number of the T IV were used, when
the next generation of this type was at hand.

T5 - (G7es)
Zaunkönig type

Diameter :

53.34 cm

Length:

7.163 m

Weight:

1495 kg (approx.)

Propulsion:

Electric motor

Power :

55 hp

Range & Speed:

5.7 km at 24 kts

Warhead:

274 kg

Guidance system :

Acoustical self-guidance

Description :

Also known as "Zaunkönig 1" This torpedo type was (as the "Falke") an acoustic homing torpedo to be searching for the propeller noise of the target (actually searching for the
largest noise in the area). The development for creating accurate homing torpedoes had started as early as in the mid 30s but made slow progress. The T V was an improved version of the acoustic
torpedo. It was faster and had both a magnetic and a contact detonator. The Zaunkonig had even better detection equipment with better sensitivity locating the propeller sounds. But this torpedo also had its weak points. In hard weather conditions it was detonating to early as well as it could detonate far behind or beyond a ship. The allied forces soon found out that the active range of its detection gear was only sensitive to ships sailing at about 15 knots! Skippers got to know that if they either lowered the speed or went faster than 14-16 knots the torpedo would get serious problems spotting them. They also developed anti "GNAT" (as the allies called the torpedo) devices dragged after an escort vessel making a loud noise to attract possible homing torpedoes in the area.

T8 - G7ut
Steinbutt Type

Diameter :

53.34 cm
Length: 7.163 m
Weight: 1730 kg

Propulsion:

Walteer turbine

Power :

430 hp

Range & Speed:

8 km at 45 kts

Warhead:

280 kg

Description :

Improved version of the T V as an answer to the allied anti homing devices. Although never used in combat.

Notes :
Fat : Flähchen Absuchender Torpedo ( Circular search torpedo )
LUT : Lageunabhängiger Torpedo : torpille à évolution en zig-zag
Falke : falcon

Introduction Molch introduction G7e Torpedoes Molch - G7e torpedoes Model Gallery Molch model
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