I can just see it now, in lieu of scale pyrotechnic propulsion, a MEMS ducted fan for propulsion, infrared-based active guidance system, muscle-wire actuation of the spring-deployed control surfaces, gas-assisted launch, and inertially-triggered electronics, all for a development program budget of a size only the Naval Surface Warfare Center could obtain.
Combat model warship hulls are built with only the outer "skin" of any torpedo bulges. In the real thing (i.e. 1:1 scale), the torpedo defense system included "layers" of bulkheads with void space, water, oil, etc. between them. These systems were retrofitted onto older ships by the addition of "bulges". I don't think anybody's going to allow something similar in scale combat, & if it was it would be a lot more complex to build (also reduce internal hull volume, which might be more useful holding gas, batteries, etc.). Then, if allowed, you'd have the problem that, anything you do to "over-armor" against torpedoes would have a similar effect against guns. What do you do then, increase gun power? Solves too few problems & creates to many new ones. JM
like what if we could have like a few extra lbs of armor then we could have tiny little warheads. Just a little gun powder and like a ramming mechanism to light it
That one is a no no... Its best not to think along the lines of using anything that goes boom. Its not that it couldn't be done safely... its that it can much too easily be unsafe. It is also seriously in the gray area of legality... the line between "firework" and "bomb" is quite fuzzy. That being said... a self propelled torpedo has so much potential to revolutionize the sport/hobby. Here is what I think a scale torpedo needs to be a viable option: It must be reusable... notice I didn't say cheap or easy to construct. They don't really have to be... if you can reuse them. Remember... cannon aren't cheap. It must be recoverable... IMO it should float after its run. A "live" torpedo must be safe to recover. I must be reliable but not perfect. Historically, torpedos have a low success rate. In scale, some failures should be expected ( ex. torps that don't track straight or fail to damage a ship even if they strike ). It must be of reasonable scale size ( really tough for you 1/144 guys ). It must maintain a reasonable level of safety... and by reasonable safety... I mean as safe as shooting ball bearings at other ships. Lofty goals... yes, but not impossible. My idea for the "perfect" torpedo is a Propel liquid gas powered torpedo. It simplifies the propulsion, but being only spin stablized it won't work perfectly every time. The warhead of the torpedo should be some kind of "shredding" device that pops open on impact like the petals of a flower or a reverse bear trap... ripping the side of the ship open. Now I'm well aware I'm proposing idea "A" with finished product "Z" without any of the stuff in the middle. I'm not sure how do make it work, or if it will work. But I'm gonna try. The concept is sound... the propel torps do work. A "spring trap" warhead... if it can be made to work and do damage, is reusable and fairly safe. Yes, you would have to use care when handling and loading them. But you have to be careful around pressured up cannon too. My two biggest concerns are total weight of the torp ( because I want them to float when they run out of gas ) and the warhead. It has to be strong enough to rip the ship open, and should be sensitive enough to work even if you don't get a perfect 90 degree strike on the hull... but not so sensitive it flies open when you look at it wrong or if a ship just brushes past a floater.
I think that scale torps are possible, definately so in 1/96 and 1/72. Propel-powered is probably the easiest propulsion, and the cruncher warhead (of whatever design) is a good one. I would design one to be as near perfect as possible, regardless of real-world torpedo performance, because I'm 99% certain that my torps (when I get around to them) won't be very effective until much testing and revision has been done. Someone suggested using polyethylene tubing for the torpedo bodies, as it's bouyant. If it can be obtained without the curvature from being on a spool, that'd be good. I expect in 1/72 one could do great things with torps. I look forward to the videos of the carnage!
As I generate of mental picture of spreads of propel torps streaking through the water and ships frantically trying to avoid them, I can't help but rub my hands together and say "excellent" in an evil Mr. Burns voice. [}] If the torps work... some methods of reducing their effect should also be devised. And for WW1 ships thats easy, torpedo nets. I've already decided to make them functional in my SMS Blucher model. It wasn't to tough to devise a way to furl/unfurl the nets and stow them in the right spot. It just required breaking down the operation. A "master" boom on each side to lower the other booms and the nets, and a couple of hacked servos to furl and unfurl the nets. The hard part is controlling a several step procedure... that will require a microcontroller. Fiberglass window mesh will work great for the nets... plus it folds and returns to shape nicely.
I'm searching for plans for one of U-Kreuzers (U-139) of WW1, or for the big U151 class (Deustchland, Bremen). On the other side, how cool would a 1/72 scale M-class ( 12" gun ) or K-class ( steam powered, 24 kts on surface ) British be? So many ideas with scale torps [}]
I know that at least one person has raised the spectre of a 1/96 Kitakami after her conversion from obsolete cruiser to 40-tube torp whore
There is a newly built three-tube-per-side Kitakami in my club and I've seen it, so I can honestly say kawaii (cute)... until she shows her claws. Then she'll be more kowai (scary). I see something along the lines of the bunny from the Holy Grail. The most foul, cruel, and bad-tempered rodent you ever set eyes on. That thing has a vicious streak a mile wide, its a killer! He's got huge sharp... He can leap about... Look at the BONES! Anybody know Brother Maynard? I'm gonna need to borrow his Holy Hand Grenade and consult his Book of Armaments Chapter 2, Verses 9-21.
errr..."and St. Attila raised the hand grenade up on high and said "Oh Lord, bless this thy hand grenade so with it we may blow thine enemies into tiny bits. In thy Mercy. And the Lord did grin and the people did feast upon the sloths...." From memory. [] Basically raised on Python.
