Can torpedoes be destroyed?

[Halo]

Particularly since torpedoes in Aces High are launched on the surface, shouldn't they be vulnerable to destruction by defensive fire?  I've tried destroying launched torpedoes on and off line, but nothing seems to stop them (e.g., the rest of the pt's weapons, aircraft guns, cv 5-inch shells).  

Am I just a lousy shot, or is torpedo vulnerability something that should be addressed in future versions?

Are there historical examples of incoming torpedoes being destroyed by any kind of defensive gunfire or bombs?  

I realize that whether dropped from a plane or launched by surface vessel or submarine, torpedoes run at various depths.  Are these depths sufficient to render all defensive gunfire useless?

In this vein, do Aces High torpedoes sink only carriers and cruisers, or all other surface craft as well?

[Witless]

Hi,

I'm not sure about the torpedoe in AH but it seems a reasonable assumption they should break.

As for historical examples, during the battle with the Bismark in WW2, the Brits used Fairey Swordfish torpedo planes, the old biplane, launched from the Ark Royal. The torps had to be launched in the trough between waves to avoid them bouncing off target. Plus, as the Swordfish made their approach, the Bismark started firing its main 38cm guns into the sea directly in front of them sending huge plumes of water up and over the low flying aircraft. If a wave could knock a torpedo off target, I'm pretty sure a 38cm shell could.

Pretty amazing really, 14 planes attacked the Bismark with no loses and they scored 2 hits which effectively sealed the Bismarks fate. The Swordfish top speed was 138mph, so maybe it's the same phenomena as seen against AA in Aces High, although thats another thread.

[Hortlund]

Originally posted by Witless
Pretty amazing really, 14 planes attacked the Bismark with no loses and they scored 2 hits which effectively sealed the Bismarks fate.  

That had more to do with the construction of the swordfish than anything else. All of those 14 ac were hit multiple times. The German shells just passed through the fabric though.

Would have been a completely different story had the Swordfishes been made of aluminum or some "normal" material.

[Jose Gallegos]

In reply to the post about this subject and whether or not there are historical examples of torpedoes being destroyed, I quote from the History of US Naval Operations in WWII (XII) by Samuel Eliott Morison, pg 273, that during the Battle off Samar "An Avenger plane from  St. Lo , piloted by Lt. Leonard E. Waldrop USNR, performed the extraordinary feat of exploding one of these torpedoes by strafing as it was porpoising toward the end of its run, and a second was deflected by an an accurate shot from St. Lo's 5-inch 38."

[steely07]

Stringbag kicks bellybutton
Anyone read "To war in a Stringbag"
Excellent book

[Dux]

Great book, Steely... one of my all time fav's.
Author's name was Lamb, if anyone wants to look it up.