Bomb torpedo BT 400
The BT 400 bomb torpedo was a non-propulsion torpedo . This was dropped in a straight line on the target while flying low. The only propulsion used was the kinetic energy of the torpedo.
The new type of drop ammunition for the Fw 190 was launched in spring 1943 by Dr. Benecke proposed by the “Technical Air Armament” department.
The main advantage of the BT was that it was easy and cheap to manufacture (the body was made of cast iron, the stern was made of sheet steel). For example, while a normal F5 air torpedo required 2000 working hours, the BT could be produced in 60 hours. He was able to carry a little more explosives , needed less scarce raw materials because of the lack of a drive and needed a total of about 240 kg less material.
The first tests were carried out in the Niedersonthofener See near Kempten (Allgäu) . However, the development of target devices, detonators and other individual parts prevented the use of this weapon.
There were several sizes (BT 200, BT 400, BT 700 A, BT 700 B, BT 1000, BT 1850).
Technical data BT 400
| Parameter | Data |
|---|---|
| length | 2.94 m |
| Length of the bomb body | 2.07 m |
| Maximum diameter | 37.8 cm |
| Ladder span | 71 cm |
| Weight | 435 kg |
| Explosive charge | 200 kg |
The enemy intelligence service had learned of the development that was being carried out at the "Graf Zeppelin Research Institute" in Stuttgart and commented on it in a report as follows:
"If the Germans are able to create a correspondingly precise aiming and triggering method, then the enemy has a weapon in hand that is far more deadly than the air torpedoes previously used ."
Werner Baumbach wrote: "In 1943, by order of the Ministry of Armaments and War Production, there was another development and production freeze, so that very promising German developments, such as the bomb torpedo, which enabled a high-level attack with fighter bombers against ship targets in various calibers, in the The bomb torpedo was to be used mainly against invasion fleets. When these were luring targets off Sicily [July 1943] and later Normandy [June 1944], there were neither to combat them suitable aircraft still available bomb torpedoes. "
Individual evidence
- ↑ Werner Baumbach: TOO LATE? The rise and fall of the German Air Force. Richard Pflaum Verlag, Munich 1949, p. 139.
literature
- Heinz J. Nowarra : The German Air Armament 1933-1945. Volume 4. Verlag Bernard & Graefe, 1985, ISBN 978-3-7637-5464-9 .
- Christopher Chant: German warplanes of World War II. Verlag Spellmount, 1999, ISBN 978-1-86227-049-7 .