Originally posted by jon
Four aircraft can carry torpedoes:
American: TBM-3 (1 x 2,000 lb.)
German: Ju 88A-4 (2 x F5B - 800 kg/1,760 lb. each)
Japanese: Ki-67 (1 x 800 kg/1,760 lb.)
B5N2: (1 x 800 kg/1,760 lb.)
Here are some numbers related to fleets and torpedoes. All information should be considered approximate and based on observation only.
Type
Speed
Range
Run Time Drop Altitudes
American
(Slow Type) 39 mph 4,570 yards 4 mins 960' @ 200 mph
500' @ 225 mph
<200' @ < 250 mph
German/Japanese
(Fast Type) 47 mph 2,300 yards 1 min 40 secs 460' @ 175 mph
300' @ 185 mph
<200' @ < 200 mph
* To arm properly, slow torpedoes must enter the water at less than 250 mph.
* Fast torpedoes must enter the water at less than 200 mph.
* Fleets steam at a standard speed of 34.5 mph (1000 yards/minute).
* Fleets can steam faster than standard for several minutes after turning.
Torpedo damage is double ordnance weight to account for damage under the water line.
* One slow torpedo does 4,000 lbs. of damage.
* One fast torpedo does 3,520 lbs. of damage.
* Sinking cruisers and destroyers requires 2,000 lbs. of damage, so one torpedo of any type will sink an undamaged cruiser or destroyer.
* Sinking a CV requires 8,000 lbs., so two slow torpedoes will sink an undamaged CV. Three fast torpedoes will sink an undamaged CV.
* Using fast torpedoes, you must wait at least 10 seconds after the fleet auto-ack begins firing at you before releasing. If you don't, your torp(s) will stop running before hitting the target.
* Using slow torpedoes, you can drop before the auto-ack begins firing, but that gives the fleet more time to detect and avoid your torps. The recommended drop point is where the fleet ack begins firing.
The approach with the best chance of success is an attack run perpendicular to the fleet course, releasing when the bearing to the center of CV is 41° for slow torpedoes or 36° for fast torpedoes. Immediately after releasing, egress in the same direction as the fleet course at full power, descending to 50' or less.