Explosive vessel tornado
 Simplified representation of the tornado
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The explosive device Tornado was a prototype of the German navy towards the end of the Second World War .
Development history
The draft planning began in December 1944 by the engineer Grochalsky, who approached the “ small combat units of the Kriegsmarine ” with an unusual concept. Accordingly, a vehicle similar to a motorboat should be provided on both sides with an aircraft float loaded with 300 kg of explosives very close to the waterline . The total explosive power should be 600 kg. The floats were supposed to come from the sea version of the Ju 52 , which were already mass-produced and therefore available in larger numbers. The two swimmers were connected to one another by a construct, whereby the pulse tube of a V1 ( Pulso push tube Argus As 014 with 335 kp thrust) was to be installed in the middle of the rear connecting cross -member . The exterior of the tornado resembled a catamaran .
The idea was that the tornado should rush towards its target at very high speed and trigger its swimmers about 2,000 meters in front of it. Since the swimmers did not have their own drive, the momentum of the tornado should be sufficient to carry them to their destination. The tornado itself returned to the home port with the crew while the swimmers were supposed to run on target course. According to Grochalsky, the advantage of his idea was that using floats could save valuable torpedoes. In addition, one can fall back on tried and tested old components for the swimmers. Similarly, the explosive boat lens of the insert was in Stamp , i. H. planned with three boats each, of which the central one should act as a guide boat.
However, the development department of the small combat units was skeptical, as there had been no attempts to combine a jet propulsion with a ship. She also feared a lack of course stability due to the high speed of the boat. Nevertheless, the preliminary planning began, albeit in a modified form. Accordingly, the tornado should be able to be controlled by radio. The development department provided Grochalsky with an engineering staff. The first model towing tests were carried out at the Heeresversuchsanstalt in Hamburg with 350 kg of explosives in each of the floats. The engine tests were carried out in Travemünde . The first sea trials took place in front of the Peenemünde Army Research Center in the Baltic Sea . There the tornado easily reached 48 knots on a smooth sea, but got slightly out of hand at top speed, which increased the risk of capsizing.
By the time the Wehrmacht surrendered on May 8, 1945, the final version of the tornado in Travemünde was completed. However, the tornado was destroyed in order not to let it fall into enemy hands. Nevertheless, design documents were handed over to the Allies after the end of the war.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Harald Fock: Naval small weapons. Manned torpedoes, small submarines, small speedboats, explosives yesterday - today - tomorrow. Nikol, Hamburg 1996, ISBN 3-930656-34-5 , pp. 123-124.