1909R (450 mm)

Contents
[hide]Description
The Modèle 1909R was the fifth in a series of 450 mm piston-engine torpedoes used by the French Navy, it introduced a gasoline-powered reheater (Réchauffeur), which added 6 kg to its mass, extended its range from 1,000 metres to 2,000 metres at 33 knots, and added a new torpedo mode: 3,000 metres at 28 knots. A notable incident occurred on 27 December 1911 when a Modèle 1909R torpedo exploded in the launch tube of the submarine Mariotte due to an heater malfunction. By January 1920, 574 units were in the French Navy's inventory, and the torpedo was eventually succeeded by the Modèle 1911T (Turbine), which introduced a wet heater.
The 1909R is best used against coastal vessels, as its short range of just 2 kilometres makes it very challenging to safely approach destroyers. However, its good maximum speed makes it feasible to attack larger vessels, such as submarine chasers. The 144 kg warhead is sufficient to either destroy or cripple coastal vessels, but may struggle to take down larger vessels if none of the magazines are in proximity to the explosion. Its use against battleships with torpedo bulges is moot, as the bulges will easily absorb the entire explosion.
Vehicles equipped with this weapon
General info
Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the torpedo.
Effective damage
Describe the type of damage produced by this type of torpedo (high explosive, splash damage, etc)
Comparison with analogues
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Usage in battles
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Pros and cons
Pros:
- Good maximum speed
Cons:
- Very short rage
- Very small warhead
History
Modèle 1909R was the fifth of the 450 mm series of piston-engine torpedoes used by the French navy. The first was the Modèle 1892R (75 kg warhead, 800 metres range at 27.6 knots), replaced by the much more capable M1904 with an Obry gyroscope, and later the M1909 with an air-blast gyroscope. The M1909R was a derivative that introduced a reheater into the series, with R standing for Réchauffeur, which was domestically produced and powered by gasoline. The installation of the reheater added 6 kilograms to the total mass, making it a 716 kg torpedo with a 110 kg warhead, and increasing the range from 1,000 metres in the M1909 to 2,000 metres in the M1909R at 33 knots. It also added a second torpedo mode, 3,000 metres at 28 knots.
One of the notable incidents involving the Modèle 1909R happened on 27 December 1911, when one of the torpedoes in the French submarine Mariotte exploded in its launch tube due to an air heater malfunction.
By January 1920, 574 Modèle 1909R torpedoes were in the French Navy inventory. Its direct successor was the Modèle 1911T (T standing for Turbine), which introduced a wet heater.
Media
Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.
See also
- Model 1919V (later, heavier torpedo)
- Pattern 1910 (closest soviet equivalent)
- Pattern 1912 (more widely used soviet equivalent)
External links
- Naval Weapons of World War One: Guns, Torpedoes, Mines, and ASW Weapons of All Nations by Norman Friedman
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