Type 91 torpedo
Aerial torpedo of the Imperial Japanese Navy / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Type 91 was an aerial torpedo of the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was in service from 1931 to 1945. It was used in naval battles in World War II and was specially developed for attacks on ships in shallow harbours.
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Type 91 torpedo | |
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Type 91 torpedoes aboard an aircraft carrier. | |
Type | Aerial torpedo |
Place of origin | Empire of Japan |
Service history | |
In service | 1931–1945 |
Used by | Japanese Navy |
Wars | World War II |
Production history | |
Designer | Rear Admiral Seiji Naruse and his team |
Designed | 1930–1945 |
Unit cost | 20,000 yen (in 1941) |
Specifications | |
Mass | 848 kg (1,870 lb) |
Length | 5.270 m (17.29 ft) |
Diameter | 45 cm (18 in) |
Wingspan | 69 cm (27 in) in the air, 66 cm (26 in) in the water |
Maximum firing range | 2,000 m (2,200 yd) |
Warhead weight | 323.6 kg (713 lb) high explosive, 235 kg (518 lb) for warhead rev.3 |
Engine | Wet-heater type, 8-cylinder radial engine 150 kW (200 hp) |
Maximum speed | 78 km/h (42 kn) |
Steering system | Gyrocompass-guided vertical-rudder control system, gyroscope-guided anti-rolling controller system |
Launch platform | Single-engine carrier-based attack aircraft, twin-engine land-based attack aircraft |
The Type 91 aerial torpedo had two unique characteristics. Firstly, it used wooden stabilizers attached to the tail fins which were shed upon water entry. Secondly, it engaged an angular acceleration control system to control rolling movements, which was very advanced for its time. This system made it possible to release the Type 91 not only at a cruising speed of 330 km/h (180 kn) at an altitude of 20 m (66 ft), but also in a power-glide torpedo-bombing run at the maximum speed of the Nakajima B5N 'Kate', 378 km/h (204 kn)
The Type 91 torpedo was an 18 in (450 mm) diameter torpedo, similar in size to other nations. There were five models put into service, with high-explosive warheads weighing from 213.5 to 526.0 kg (471 to 1,160 lb) with effective ranges from 1,500 to 2,000 m (1,600 to 2,200 yd) at 42 kn (78 km/h).
Since the Type 91 torpedo was the only practical aerial torpedo of the Imperial Japanese Navy, it was simply known as the Koku Gyorai or "aerial torpedo". Surface warships and submarines used other types of torpedoes, namely the Type 93 and Type 95 respectively, while the Type 97 torpedo was designed for use by midget submarines.