Semi-Guided Torpedo

[Subdeacon Joe]

I vaguely recall reading something about these a few decades ago.  This, I think, is the first film about them I've seen.
 

 

 

 

[Smuteye John SASS#24774]

The Japanese used them, too.  They were a Navy's part of their kamikaze and Baka Bomb suicide troop projects.  Come to think of it, the Germans may have even gotten the design from the Japanese.

 

I think that the Italians had them in the Med as well.

[Utah Bob #35998]

Japanese road em all the way in to the target though. Kinda like this.

 

[Smuteye John SASS#24774]

21 minutes ago, Utah Bob #35998 said:

Japanese road em all the way in to the target though. Kinda like this.

 

The Baka Bombs were basically manned V-1 buzz bombs.  They were carried up by modified bombers and released at altitude.  There's gun camera footage of a bomber carrying one getting taken out by a Navy fighter out there somewhere.

 

Their manned torpedo was carried into position by subs and then launched.

[Utah Bob #35998]

17 minutes ago, Smuteye John SASS#24774 said:

The Baka Bombs were basically manned V-1 buzz bombs.  They were carried up by modified bombers and released at altitude.  There's gun camera footage of a bomber carrying one getting taken out by a Navy fighter out there somewhere.

 

Their manned torpedo was carried into position by subs and then launched.

The Ohka kamikazes were actually powered by 3 solid fuel rockets. The V-1s were pulse jets.

 

[Subdeacon Joe]

23 minutes ago, Smuteye John SASS#24774 said:

The Baka Bombs were basically manned V-1 buzz bombs.  They were carried up by modified bombers and released at altitude.  There's gun camera footage of a bomber carrying one getting taken out by a Navy fighter out there somewhere.

 

Their manned torpedo was carried into position by subs and then launched.

 

 

I'm not sure, but I think you may have misconstrued what Bob meant.  That German "manned torpedo" was more a small semi-submersible ship made to get the weapon near the target, release the weapon, and escape.  The Japanese versions were meant to have the pilot ride the weapon from the release point all the way in to the target.