Help identifying this IJN torpedo

[feet wet]

In 1950 an exhibit came to my town displaying a Japanese "suicide" sub.
The description given, which follows, does not match any know IJN midget sub, nor any of its known torpedos, suicide or otherwise. Given that this occurred early in the Cold War, I suspect that the description contains a degree of disinformation. Unfortunately no photos are available of this sub.
The description is as follows:"An exhibit of captures Japanese equipment featuring a one-man submarine will be exhibited ... This exhibit is mounted on a large trailer ....
The submarine is known in Japan as the Koryu, translated meaning "Water Drago". It is 20 feet long and is powered by specially built storage batteries and has a cruising range up to 200 miles. This submarine is dropped off the mother ship approximately 200 miles from the target and is manned by one of the suicide pilots. 1,800 pounds of high explosive is carried in the bow of the ship and it was the suicide pilot's job to ram the submarine into an American ship........
This model submarine was used extensively in the Naval campaign of the Japanese from Okinawa until the close of the war"

I suspect that this was a Kaiten and perhaps a Type 10, a one man modified Type 92 torpedo. Again unfortunately no pic Known to exist, and no dimensions were given.
I would appreciate any thought or other input.
Thanks
Jonathan

[anonymous]

I'm guessing it is KAIRYU,

I'm guessing it is KAIRYU, but the length you gave is shorter. My FS post has a museum boat picture. Look familiar?

http://s181686668.onlinehome.us/phpBB2/ ... hp5?t=8265

[feet wet]

Hi Chris,
Thank You for your

Hi Chris,
Thank You for your reply. I too first thought that it was a Kairyu, but the length was way off, as you noted. However I also note that this sub's bow was loaded with explosive and that it was electric electric drive. The facts of the article are contradictory so I am lost. I did read where a few Kairyu were converted to suicide boats, but again the size doesn't fit.
Jonathan

[raalst]

where is your town ?

where is your town ? if in australia,
have a look here : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attack_on_Sydney_Harbour
it talks about creating one sub out of two others, this might explain length differences.

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M-14 and M-21
The composite midget submarine at the Australian War Memorial in 2007.

The Allies located and recovered M-21 on 3 June and M-14 on 8 June.[124] Although both were damaged during the attack, it was possible to assemble a complete submarine from the two vessels.[100] The centre section of the rebuilt submarine was mounted on a trailer and taken on a 4,000-kilometre (2,500 mi) tour throughout southern New South Wales, Victoria, and western South Australia.[100][125] The purpose of the tour was twofold; it allowed Australians to see a Japanese midget submarine up close, and was used to raise A£28,000 for the Naval Relief Fund and other charities.[100][126] The submarine arrived at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra on 28 April 1943, flying the White Ensign and a paying-off pennant.[100] The submarine was originally displayed outside the museum in three separate pieces,[127] but was moved inside in the 1980s due to heavy vandalism; on one occasion in 1966, a group of university students painted it bright yellow in response to The Beatles' song Yellow Submarine.[128] The composite submarine was restored and remains on display inside the Memorial as part of a permanent exhibition on the attack, next to the recovered wheelhouse of HMAS Kuttabul.[128] The conning tower from M-21 is on display at the Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre on Garden Island.[127] Leftover material from M-21 was melted down and made into souvenirs following the construction of the combined vessel.[129]

[edit] M-24

[feet wet]

Hi Ronald,
I am in Bar

Hi Ronald,
I am in Bar Harbor, Maine. Thanks for the information all the same.
During WWII a j
Japanese Type A sub, HA 19 , which ran aground on eastern Oahu during the Pearl Hbr. attack, traveled around the US on a truck to sell war bonds.
Very similar situation, just wrong time frame.
I suspect that my occurance, having taken place in 1950, with Korean fighting and the Cold War in full swing, is a strong case of disinformation regarding true specifications. OH WELL