Early Mk.14’s contact detonator was actually at a 90 degree angle from the tip. So using it as a baseball bat would probably cause the firing pin to work far more often, since the impact force would be inline with the pin.
Early Mk.14’s contact detonator was actually at a 90 degree angle from the tip. So using it as a baseball bat would probably cause the firing pin to work far more often, since the impact force would be inline with the pin.
I don't know, how the Mk.14 works. But shouldn't there be safeties to prevent a torpedo from exploding while it is handled? Most torps have detonators that sharpen after firing f.e. by the water streaming by, when it travels towards its target.
Thank you! So the Mk.14 had a magnetic detonator. Unless the baseball is made of iron nothing should happen, if it is used as a bat.
*looks at I-13* Why should this BE a Mk.14?
It had both. A magnetic detonator that was doubly calibrated incorrectly, and a contact detonator that bent if a direct hit was made. So the only way to (mostly) ensure success was to disable the magnetic detonator and score a glancing hit.
It had both. A magnetic detonator that was doubly calibrated incorrectly, and a contact detonator that bent if a direct hit was made. So the only way to (mostly) ensure success was to disable the magnetic detonator and score a glancing hit.
And just to be fair, incorrectly calibrated magnetic detonators plagued every country that used the technology. The main reason it stands out for the US and the Mk.14 is that BuOrd not only plugged their ears and ignored all complaints, but they actively discouraged attempts to field fix it.