RNTF 21 inch Mark 2 torpedo, 1915

This 21 inch (533mm) torpedo was used by the Royal Navy from 1911 through to 1918 (and beyond). Designed and built by the Royal Naval Torpedo Factory, the Mark 2 (Mark II) was operational in 1911 and was modified several time (this is the Mod 5 version, about 1915) before being superseded by 21 inch Mk 4 (Mark IV) torpedo by 1918.
It is a wet - heater design with fuel being burnt in a stream of air before being cooled by a spray of water (which then boils to steam - adding to the volume of gasses delivered to the engine). The 4-cylinder Brotherhood engine was capable of being fired from a submarine’s bow torpedo tube, from Battleship side tubes or from above-water launcher mountings on smaller warships. By adjusting the fuel and air flow rates, the Mk 2 could be set to run fast (44.5 knots) to a range of 4,500 yards, or out to 18,500 yards at 19 knots.
The torpedo was was designed to be launched from a flooded tube. Once the air start valve is opened, the air in the pressure vessel is first reduced to a steady 350 psi and then fed to the engine to turn it over and clear the water in the cylinders and crank case. The pistons have a vent hole that connects the cylinder head and the crank case. The vent hole is closed during the power stroke but open during the return stroke - allowing any water to vent into the crank case. However, the fuel is not ignited until the engine has been cleared of water (underwater launch) or has had time to enter the water for an above-water launch (the wet-heater Generator and Engine need to be cooled by sea water), so the ignition cartridges are not fired until the engine has rotated a preset number of revolutions using the cold air - this is the Ignition Delay - 4-5 revs for an underwater launch and 20-30 revs for an above water launch. When the fuel is then ignited, the engine accelerates to full power.
Fuel was Shale oil - a light oil with a flashpoint of 71 deg C.
Mark II torpedoes could be launched with a Gyro Angle setting. When fired from a beam tube or above-water launcher, the torpedo would then turn through the required Gyro Angle - which meant that the torpedo course was not dependent on the ship’s course. Gyro Angle could be set in 5 degree steps, Left or Right.
Sources:
CB523 Handbook for RNTF Torpedoes, 18inch Marks VII to VII****, 21inch Marks II to IV*, 1918
CB243 Manual of Gyroscopes for Torpedoes, 1916
If you appreciate my animations, please consider supporting me as a Patron through www.Patreon.com/vbbsmyt. This will help me research other complex, iconic devices, especially WW1 weapons and guns.
This animation was made using Cinema 4D. Background music is ‘Your Suggestions’ by Unicorn Heads.

[@krinkrin5982]

I greatly appreciate how you manage to make the insanely complex workings of military engineering understandable. Really shows why it took people so long to produce reliable torpedoes.

[@Tiagomottadmello]

@ Krin Krin. You've said It all !! 👍👍

[@fireraid2336]

Meanwhile IJN with their more advance long lances...

[@koharaisevo3666]

@C. W. Sayre Is this supposed to be a pun?

[@esweet100]

@C. W. Sayre Part of that was magnetic proximity fuses tested in latitudes with approximately 45-degree earth magnetic field did not work so well near the equator where field lines are horizontal. This dramatically reduces the sensitivity of a magnetic sensor passing beneath a vessel.

[@KeithHearnPlus]

@@esweet100 And part was sheer pig-headedness of Bureau of Ordnance idiots who refused to believe that something they designed might not work right.

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

It's remarkable how many complicated mechanical operations went into it's operation. I never guessed there was this much going on in ww1 torpedo, due to its disposable nature. The music fits the princibles and how they function well.

[@Crosshair84]

It's a very understandable misconception. Torpedoes were slow, short ranged, incredibly expensive, and required significant maintenance. Why did Navies tolerate them? Because they were also incredibly powerful and effective if they hit. Ships without torpedo bulges could be sunk or rendered combat ineffective after a single hit. Even ships with torpedo bulges could be mission killed by a single hit. Merely the potential threat of a torpedo launch was enough for an opponent to take evasive maneuvers. On top of this, a torpedo can be launched by just about any ship that can physically carry them. Not every ship can mount a 16" gun. First this was done by torpedo boats. Torpedo boat destroyers were developed to counter this new threat. The lengthy name was soon shortened to "Destroyers" and torpedoes were mounted to them as well.

[@boogiebomber2191]

And all this just to kill others... it's sad.

[@Leonard_MT]

@@boogiebomber2191 but amazing

[@MrRedeyedJedi]

@@boogiebomber2191 art*

[@twistedyogert]

Not necessarily. It sinks ships. People survive sinking ships.

[@harezy]

That was awsome work, As an engineer of over 25 years that is some cad work.

[@SamsungS-dt7wj]

ชชช

[@BillySugger1965]

That was bloody sophisticated for 1915.

[@steffenrosmus9177]

Not as sophisticated than the Japanese Type 97 from 1905, l think.

[@Dailymailnewz]

It was all mechanical stuff which is very complicated.

[@vbbsmyt]

The Japanese Type 93 (Long Lance) began development in 1928 and was introduced in 1933 (or Year 93) and the Type 95 (submarine launched version of the Type 93) entered service in 1935 (Year 95). (edited)

[@Allahuma.sali.ala.muhammad.]

@@vbbsmyt he definitely meant type 93, but there is a type 97, it's a modified version of the type 93.

[@denny9278]

@@vbbsmyt no vídeo like this for type 97??

[@britishmuzzleloaders]

The fact that you can make sense of the engineering and translate it all into the imagery is fantastic. These devices are really incredible when you think of how they evolved and the thought put towards making them run and stabilize. Thanks Rob!

[@vbbsmyt]

Glad you liked it. Started another involved project, but may be able to burn some black powder myself in April. Rob

[@nathandecrom2409]

i dare say lad i hope this stuff is archived, material like this is just marvelous for the preservation of war & engineering history

[@ParanoidCarrot]

you said it! marvelous

[@carrisasteveinnes1596]

Plus, we'll need it again someday soon, when the Taiwan issue kicks off....

[@glenmartin2437]

Thank you. Interesting.

[@notmenotme614]

As someone who did computer aided design with a bit of 3D modelling (using AutoCAD) I appreciate the time and effort that went into this.

[@denniswilliams8747]

Thank You I understand now the bubbles in the trail of the early torpedoes.

[@patmcbride9853]

Part of that is cavitation caused by the speed of the propellers.

[@rhysmodica2892]

Simply amazing. I've waited ages to get a decent look at these types of torpedoes. This series definitely needs the G7 a and e variants covered with the Fat, Lut and acoustic systems covered. Amazing all the same how they didn't differ too much from the 1915 design shown here.

[@DmitryKiktenko]

It is more than 100 years old design, wow, how nice! Very satisfying video! Thank you!

[@privatehand]

Needless to say, these torpedoes are MUCH more complicated machines than I thought.

[@ObiWanStromboli]

Such an amazing, intricate, and incredible feat of engineering only to be destroyed.

[@logoseven3365]

These videos really help the home builder with our torpedo projects! Seriously, thank you. So very fascinating!

[@51WCDodge]

I do know someone with a torpedo engine! But, now I finally have soem idea how it is supposed to work!

[@kenm8376]

I have seen some real time wasting videos on KZbin. This one is not. It's truly interesting and very well put together. Thanks for posting it.

[@51WCDodge]

Thank you for your work on this channel and for others. Firstly fascinating subjects in there own right, secondly the light of understanding finally goes on.

[@juhajuntunen7866]

Beautifully done, both this animation and 100 years ago.

[@jonjames7328]

Look at this fabulous technology from the England of 106 years ago! How proud it makes me and how sad too that life is short.

[@gsperanza07]

A beyond beautiful representation of the complex and yet artistic design, mechanically where the was not a transistor or diode, Even a battery , just a clock mechanism and complete ingenuity, well done for displaying this incredibly design and workings , My God ! Could you feel the frustration and endless draft board designs and hours in engineering this torpedo and man hours and incredibly small gremlins to over come , with salt , temperature, humidity, vibrations and storage , all components to work together without fail and achieve the mission , WOW ! THANKYOU!!! And incredibly posted , well explained visually, your a champion!!!! Thankyou, such visual eye candy !!!! Endlessly rewatching your post and especially loving the torpedo post, can never , never get bored !!!! Godbless and stay safe :)

[@Robert-ff9wf]

Wow, that was incredible!!!! Being a machinist I really appreciate the mechanical genius behind these torpedoes!!! Your animation is second to none!!! Would love some audio to go with it but that's ok!!!! You do awesome work!!! You should be so proud of yourself!!! I am so impressed by your work!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!

[@p51mustang24]

Amazing computer model! Even more amazing that the original engineers did this all on paper.

[@DrLumpyDMus]

I find it interesting that the majority of the comments seem to focus on the former, rather than the latter..:-)

[@Gladiusspb]

I can't say it's a job well done... It's a beautifully done job! Great job! Excellent!

[@selfcaretoyou]

Its like pulling up all strings solving each problem that is occurring and then adding everything to equation 😍😍😍 very precise ... I loved it

[@manuelespanol4560]

I don't understand these dislikes, it must be because they do much better than this man. I honestly really enjoy this great job. thanks for your videos.

[@KugleeKuglee]

missing buttons or just a classic 10% Trolls on the net...

[@jackmason4320]

It was all mechanical. No electronics. Fascinating.

[@bubalusbubalis5489]

This video is very impressive. Must've taken a lot of hard work. Thank you for making this. Cdodders in the Salt Mines Discord posted a link to this video. +1 if you followed the link too. :)

[@andersgothberg6031]

Really Great done, a must for all mechanical intrested and torpedo fans! Keep Up the Good work.

[@alexandrepv]

This is phenomenal O_O... I'm gobsmacked by the level of detail. Not even Discovery puts this much detail in their animations.

[@justsomerandomostrich1906]

I love sub simulators for a long time and have no clue how steam torpedoes ACTUALLY work until now. Thanks for creating this animation. You are legend👍

[@SilverDashie]

People forget: The Military always has tech ahead of modern civilian tech. Always.

[@yak-machining]

Imagine what they have now

[@congdothanh9316]

Design thinking for live or death is always advanced

[@extraintelligence]

Yeah, it sure annoys me that the military's using these new torpedoes while I'm stuck using ones designed in the 30s.

[@steph1918]

@@congdothanh9316 Death maily here.

[@-bob8111]

Благодарю за прекрасное видео и серьезную проделанную работу! Каждый раз прекрасная информация! У инженеров и конструкторов прошлого прекрасная работа и гений инженерной мысли, насколько все продумано!

[@Panzerargentino1]

Very very good, thanks.

[@Piqus3]

Incredibly wonderful animations and cross sections, great text explanations, great music. Man, this is my first video that i watched and i'am totally hooked. You got my sub.

[@vbbsmyt]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@brianperry]

When I was in Liverpool just prior to sailing on my first ship in 1967 a group of us newbies were taken to a museum where the instructor showed us the workings of a WW2 type torpedo...and the damage it can inflict....I remember thinking ..'that thing looks damn complicated'....I went to sea anyway and had many happy years.

[@St0RM33]

I am a mechanical engineer and these hydromechanical control systems still make my head dizzy ;p

[@joebond5012]

Great video, I never realised how complex a piece of machinery a torpedo was.

[@MrJettri99]

Oh my, what a gift for today ❤️

[@atgm4063]

Incredible engineering machine, and it is incredible to know that all that sophisticated mechanism will explode when it hits its target, its insane 😅

[@rykehuss3435]

Better not look into cruise missiles then haha

Brilliant Video. Goes to show the amazing complexity

[@billtimmons7071]

Did any mechanics or engineers notice the simple valve arrangement? An equalizing valve in the piston wrist pin ! Never saw a valve in a piston wrist pin before. Simple, yet elegant.

[@twistedyogert]

I'm not even an engineer and I noticed this as well. Steam powered vehicles were still in common use during this period. It would have been a good idea to use that type of engine and burner system in a car or other light vehicle. No long warm up period required. Even with coiled tube steam generators it still took a few minutes to get going. A standard fire-tube boiler took 30 minutes to an hour to get to working pressure. Not exactly something you'd want to deal with if you needed to get somewhere in a hurry. Yet it seems that this torpedo was good to go immediately after ignition.

[@patrickpreisinger5923]

Wow! Very satisfying to watch! I'm reading "Sink 'Em All" right now and this makes it that much more interesting even if the torpedoes are dated. Thanks!

[@c.smythe8905]

First class, think how long this would have taken to explain in a hundred years ago.

[@alexwhite1992]

FOR THE 1915 this is pretty advanced

[@motolabru]

Ваше видео, всегда праздник! Спасибо.

[@bruhman8646]

I love your videos👍 You can tell he's working hard to do it, thank you very much.

[@aidenczajka9460]

Engine with clear markings and propeller shaft

[@marinkhan3066]

Wow very advanced and complicated for 1915 . Hands down to the designers and engineers

[@fratercontenduntocculta8161]

You just earned a new subscriber. Wow it's crazy to think of these as small vehicles!

[@elitearbor]

This was 106 years ago, and first designed 110 years ago as the Mk1? Astounding. Shaw's 1903 play 'Man and Superman' comes to mind, specifically this passage: "In the arts of life main invents nothing; but in the arts of death he outdoes Nature herself, and produces by chemistry and machinery all the slaughter of plague, pestilence and famine. … There is nothing in Man's industrial machinery but his greed and sloth: his heart is in his weapons."

[@svenurban226]

Unglaublich wie viel Technik benötigt wird. Und das war noch ein "simpler Torpedo". Ohne Magnet oder die nach Geräusche gehen. Wie zum Ende des WWII !

[@bruceferguson6637]

Beautifully illustrated.

[@sunshine_water5139]

When i first watched this, at first i was amazed at the video itself. But then by the end of the video, i was more amazed at the actual art. It some serious skill to draw the torpedo and all it's working components. Thank you so much for this video.

[@CBeard849]

Great video! I never realized the complexity of a torpedo before!

[@LeDibeau]

If I ever find a U-boat with torpedos still loaded, I now know how to launch them :-) Great work as always - thank you!

[@JohnyG29]

I don't think a U-boat would have British torpedos 😄

[@LeDibeau]

@@JohnyG29 at least not in Austria ;-)

[@dastinnero]

thank you,your videos are always great

[@cellokid5104]

Wow. I didn't know computers could render like that in 1915. Pretty cool👌

[@yetti423]

That was really enjoyable watching old tech

[@ephraim804]

Fascinating! No microelectronics needed. Analog/mechanical systems get the job done.

[@kringle399]

this is legit well engineer and futuristic

[@Zorglub1966]

Another masterpiece!

[@dp-sr1fd]

Fantastic precision engineering. There are so many components making up each of the various units inside the torpedo that all have to work perfectly. Just think how much expertise went into the design of such a weapon. It makes you wonder how many of these things are on the bottom of the ocean.

[@richardlathrop61]

I was wondering the same thing. Makes you think about all the unexploded ordnance laying at the bottom of the ocean.

[@maximusflightymus3892]

Awesome, thanks for uploading, I am just glad no one asked me to build one of these.

[@samuelwong4152]

wow i never knew a torpedo got so many things to make it work, thanks !

[@elbybrook9466]

It is beautiful in its simplicity.

[@comicmania2008]

Fascinating video. I wonder how many of these "fish" missed, and are now at the bottom still intact? Never thought torpedoes were so complexed, the designers seemed to think of everything.

[@troyjanise9051]

Any that were fired in any really deep water were crushed under the immense water pressure at those depths. The ones that were fired in shallower waters are like you say, probably laying intact at the bottom if they weren't picked up in shrimp nets that drag the bottom to get the shrimp. That probably tore lots of nets up over the years.

[@ma.a4700]

You got a new subscriber. Very nice to see such detailed animation.

[@timg2088]

Excellent illustration and description! 👍×10,000!

[@fredericklee4821]

Extraordinary for 1915. Beautiful graphics.

[@MikeMcDonoughUS]

Great job putting that together!

[@KaffiRawr]

There are probably hundreads of torpedos that are up for grabs at the bottom of the ocean. Strange thought.

[@notbobrosss3670]

I will never be able to think of wire guided in the same way. Very impressive😊

[@phillipswanson4055]

Amazing! Hard work well appreciated 👍👍

[@neurofiedyamato8763]

Haven't got down every single mechanism but I do understand the general principles. Thanks!

[@aerlond]

Fantastic animation. Bravo!

[@ianpendlebury3704]

Amazing - as always. Thank you.

[@VgarajeSuRf]

Класс! Даже в наше время торпеда РНТФ выглядит высокотехнологичным оружием )

[@mrOL100]

I wonder how many submerged torpedoes lie at the bottom of the sea because of a miss? are there any statistics on this issue? Are they dangerous even after 100-200 years?

[@tomashogg8868]

Great video and great technology of these ancient torpedoes.

[@vbbsmyt]

Glad you like it. If you are not already a subscriber, please subscribe and help me get to 100K subscribers

[@nicholasmaude6906]

Do you have any videos for WWI Imperial German Navy torpedos?

[@vbbsmyt]

German WW1 torpedoes were very similar to the compressed air RNTF Mk2. They had the same layout, used a 4-cylinder Brotherhood wet-heater engine (some earlier ones had a 3-cylinder engine), and used a gyro and depth regulator with air-driven servos, so I see no value in animating these (even if I had the drawings - which I do not). However, in 1916 Germany started development of electric torpedoes - which would be cheaper to build and more amenable to mass production. An order was placed July 1918 for 2,400 E/7 torpedoes, for delivery starting February 1919. For the Allies, the Armistice came just in time. After the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles expired, this evolved into the G7e. Now that is a torpedo worthy of animation..

[@vladcompellius1295]

Awesome work, Thanks !

[@wesleymccravy901]

Wow that is a complicated device. I imagine that took some sure enough knowhow and team work to land a shot.

[@DeathOnSernpidal]

Even a 1915 torpedo is a complex(thus expensive) weapon. A British 21-inch weapon coast about £ 1,000 in 1914.

[@wastool]

That's one heck of a Rude Goldberg device.

[@teacherinthailan6441]

Incredible! Thanks.

[@kalleklp7291]

It's stunning how people have been creative in the task of killing others even over 100 years ago. That being said, it's an incredible piece of machinery from a time without computers, radar, and other technologies we have today.

[@MastakAK]

Спасибо! Всегда было интересно знать, как такие вещи устроены!

[@denrus4282]

Теперь без проблем сможете свою настроить.

[@MastakAK]

@@denrus4282 Красава! Интуристы этот оборот не поймут...

[@denrus4282]

@@MastakAK а что Вы имели в виду?

[@MastakAK]

@@denrus4282 А Вы какую торпеду предлагали настраивать?

[@homomorphic]

This is 106 year old technology. Pretty impressive.

[@Yasser.Osman.A.Z.]

That's awesome, oookaaay. Always wondered what did it mean when the captain shouts, PREPARE THE TORPEDOES.

[@twistedyogert]

The guidance system of the torpedo is what impresses me the most. I believe it would qualify as a mechanical computer. It calculates when to detonate based on desired direction, depth, and speed/distance.

[@Tiagomottadmello]

Fantastic work done here !! I watched this vídeo three times and can't get enought.... One more subscrition here !! 👍👍👍

[@richardsevers7686]

Wow. And this is 1914!

[@wijpke]

Totally brilliant animations 😊

[@nicholasmaude6906]

Have you done a video for the British Mk-VIII 21" torpedo (Used in WWII, in service till the 1990s and used by HMS Conquerer to sink the ARA General Belgrano in the Falklands War) and the Mk-XII 18" aerial torpedo?

[@aidenczajka9460]

I can supply photos if wanted?

[@evoltnvii]

Just fantastic as always!!!

[@2serveand2protect]

EXCELLENT presentation!

[@alexeywolf100]

Amazing work!

[@blok_pitaniya_460_watt]

отличное видео!!!! интересно что за топливо использовалось в этой торпеде? П.с. отличный контент. тоже всегда было интересно узнать как были устроено такого вида оружия!!!

[@DolganoFF]

Керосин

[@blok_pitaniya_460_watt]

@@DolganoFF большое спасибо!

[@whydahell3816]

Wow! Great video man!

[@cipofly]

1915 !!! 😱 stupefacente .

[@briananthony4044]

Now replace the air flask with oxygen, enlarge the fuel tank, and you have the Japanese Long Lance torpedo.